I have some questions about wild bettas.

I've been looking into these little guys recently and I'm particularly interested in b. mahachai, but I like imbellis and aliens too.
1. Do they really need blackwater? I'll do it if I have to but I'm not super into the look of it. would floating plants work instead to get things darker?
2. If I understand correctly, they will raise the fry up to a certain point, and then the males start sparring. What should I do when I separate them? I understand its standard to just through them in unfiltered jars but I was thinking I could do tubs with some plants and sponge filters. Is there a way I can heat something like that? It would just be a temporary setup until I can find homes for them of course but that's still no reason to force them into unheated water IMO.
3. What would be good tankmates for a pair in a 10 gallon if any? I was thinking micro rasbora like chilis would look cool, even though they would probably try to eat the betta fry. I already plan on getting aquatic isopods, which you might remember from my other post.

 

Hi there- I am researching mahachaiensis too! Primarily because it is the one wild species that would like my hard water and high pH ( about 7.8) I think these wild undomesticated varieties are more skittish and would appreciate a natural environment with lots of botanicals. But I think black water is especially critical id you have one of the species that like a lower pH ( almost all except mahachaiensis) and if you want to breed them. In other words, to maximize success I think both black water and floating plants. But, the water doesnt have to look like strong tea and ruin the esthetics- you can modulate the amount of tannins and see how it goes. Floating plants are always a good idea in my opinion- they are great for sucking up nitrates and I just throw out or give away the excess when it starts to heavily impact light levels.
Regarding tankmates and separations, I to but maybe someone else here with first hand experience can.
I’m not quite ready to start my wild betta breeding project yet, but am interested in your journey. Please keep us posted!

 

Hi there- I am researching mahachaiensis too! Primarily because it is the one wild species that would like my hard water and high pH ( about 7.8) I think these wild undomesticated varieties are more skittish and would appreciate a natural environment with lots of botanicals. But I think black water is especially critical id you have one of the species that like a lower pH ( almost all except mahachaiensis) and if you want to breed them. In other words, to maximize success I think both black water and floating plants. But, the water doesnt have to look like strong tea and ruin the esthetics- you can modulate the amount of tannins and see how it goes. Floating plants are always a good idea in my opinion- they are great for sucking up nitrates and I just throw out or give away the excess when it starts to heavily impact light levels.
Regarding tankmates and separations, I to but maybe someone else here with first hand experience can.
I’m not quite ready to start my wild betta breeding project yet, but am interested in your journey. Please keep us posted!

So is tannins more of a chemical thing and not physical? I hope I can keep floating plants because my hitchhiker duckweed died off somehow??? I heard they're less skittish if they're captive bred which id what I'm looking at so maybe maybe.
I'm having problems with cycling my tank so it will be a long time from now if I ever order them. I'm going stir crazy. But I'm sure I'll make another post on here if I get them.

 

I think its both chemical and physical- as I understand it tannin releasing botanicals help lower pH and may have some antimicrobial properties. In addition I presume they help create a dim natural environment that feels like home. As far as floating plants, if you have a decent light and an all in one fertilizer I think you will be set! I have tons of frogbit and red root floaters- so much that I chuck tne extras in the shelly tank and STILL have to throw some out every week-I am happy to share some at no cost except shipping when you get to that point- though they will not be pest free ( limpets:rolleyesThey appear to die back cyclically for me, after which they come roaring back- I promise you won’t be able to kill them off entirely!

 

Look through this- What Is a Betta?
and click the hyperlinks at the end

 

Tannins are forms of tannic acid. Tannic acid, because it's such a mild acid, acts as a pH buffer, helping to moderate those pH swings to which bettas are so sensitive, and small tanks so prone. The dimmer water does likely help them to feel more secure, but water rich in tannic acid is definitely a chemical thing, not just an aesthetic thing.

There are certain microbes which are not as tolerant of tannic acid as larger organisms, like bettas. Additionally, because the tannic acids help to provide the water conditions to which bettas are best adapted, bettas can be more resilient, and their immune systems strengthened by a healthy concentration of tannic acid in their tank water.

Especially if you plan to keep wild type bettas, tannins in your water will help ensure the health and comfort of your pets, and thus your success in keeping them.

 

Thanks wisecrackerz . That makes a lot of sense. Was sputnik right in saying that it doesn't have to discolor the water a whole lot to work?

 

I'm not sure how to message you but what did you ever do with your overstocked guppy tank? I'm planning to add 3 female bettas. LOL, I'm hoping they don't eat all my favorites though

 

oh wow, I think you just answered the question I have had the past few months of what kind of baby betta I got! LOL


His fins looked nothing like common betta fins (very dramatic top fin ). I'll try & get a picture tomorrow. He's blue with an iridescent almost brown undercoat coloring.

He was a really small baby when I got him. Paid $2.99 at Petco

He shimmies when he swims, uses his tail more like a fish. Bettas glide more imo than this guy. I haven't named him because I was waiting to see his final look. He's not food driven like regular Betta either. He eats fine but will leave food behind.

Based on a video I watched, I think mine's a Mahachaiensis.

 

oh wow, I think you just answered the question I have had the past few months of what kind of baby betta I got! LOL


His fins looked nothing like common betta fins (very dramatic top fin ). I'll try & get a picture tomorrow. He's blue with an iridescent almost brown undercoat coloring.

He was a really small baby when I got him. Paid $2.99 at Petco

He shimmies when he swims, uses his tail more like a fish. Bettas glide more imo than this guy. I haven't named him because I was waiting to see his final look. He's not food driven like regular Betta either. He eats fine but will leave food behind.

Based on a video I watched, I think mine's a Mahachaiensis.

I'm sorry to say, but if you bought it from Petco it's not a Betta mahachaiensis. It is a normal domesticated betta with presumably wild type coloration.

 

Be careful with them there splendens complex bettas like B. mahachai...the males can be quite aggressive. I have a B. smaragdina pair in which the male is completely intolerant of the female (they refused to even spawn when given the chance...he just took some chunks out of her tail) and had to be permanently separated from her; while not all individual male splendens complex bettas are that contentious, you should have a plan B in the event yours is. Other complexes vary widely in aggression levels but are generally more peaceful than Splendens complex bettas; they also vary widely in preferred water conditions (B. mahachai, for example, is the only Betta that is primarily found in brackish water in the wild, while many other bettas live in uber-soft and acidic peat swamps with PH as low as 3, and others live in waters close to neutral).

Something all wild bettas have in common is that they are fanatical jumpers - if there is a hole in the lid, they will find it and take a suicidal leap. Plastic wrap (with a few small holes for ventilation, of course) is not overkill for keeping them in the tank and will also maintain a warm, humid layer of air (critical for fry that are developing their labryinth organs) above the surface of the water; larger wild bettas (like Betta macrostoma, pugnax, pi, etc) will break through plastic wrap and even dislodge a light aquarium lid, so they require more creative solutions for keeping them in the tank.

 

In case this helps with Fish ID, here’s my Betta Mahachai Taken roughy 2 hours ago!

 

I'm sorry to say, but if you bought it from Petco it's not a Betta mahachaiensis. It is a normal domesticated betta with presumably wild type coloration.

again, I have no idea his exact style because he was a baby & is still coming into his coloring. He was beige gold sand color with 2 stripes when I got him a few months back. His top fin is throwing me off because it's so different. He turned blue about a month ago with a high metallic shine.

but googling: he looked exactly like this when I got him , lol. maybe all wild betta fry look the same? no idea.

I bought 2, 1 died within 2 days. betta cup life is very stressing and because it was during COVID when my state was largely shutdown, fish weren't selling fast at the stores.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/420664421443462940/

 

do these plants go good with an african butterfly? and where can i order some affordably (pet stores around me have 0 plants)

oh wow, I think you just answered the question I have had the past few months of what kind of baby betta I got! LOL


His fins looked nothing like common betta fins (very dramatic top fin ). I'll try & get a picture tomorrow. He's blue with an iridescent almost brown undercoat coloring.

He was a really small baby when I got him. Paid $2.99 at Petco

He shimmies when he swims, uses his tail more like a fish. Bettas glide more imo than this guy. I haven't named him because I was waiting to see his final look. He's not food driven like regular Betta either. He eats fine but will leave food behind.

Based on a video I watched, I think mine's a Mahachaiensis.

Beautiful fish! However, it is very unlikely to be a purebred B. mahachaiensis, inasmuch as Petco does not carry any wild bettas...more likely it is simply a domesticated betta that looks like one (do bear in mind that domesticated bettas are hybrids of multiple species in the splendens complex, and this one could simply have inherited genes that make it look like a Mahachaiensis). Still a gorgeous fish, though, and if you have no intention of breeding him isn't that what matters?