Who else is keeping wild bettas? Let’s make an info thread!

Since there isn’t a ton of forum info on keeping wild bettas, I was thinking it would be nice if we compiled our knowledge.

To contribute, please provide what you know about the following and I’ll add it to the main post so that it is easy to find. Feel free to comment with any additional information on species that already have text! I’d also like to take note of which members are keeping particular species.

Species name: (scientific and common if there is one)
Localities:
Picture: (male, female, juvenile if possible, max 4 photos) Please do not use copyrighted images.
Size:
Lifespan:
pH:
gH:
Temperature:
Tank Size Minimum:
Natural Habitat Features:
Behavior/Temperament:
Diet:
Breeding:

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Wild Betta Fishlore Information


Akarensis Complex

• Betta antoni
• Betta arkarensis
• Betta aurigans
• Betta balunga
• Betta chini
• Betta ibanorum
• Betta nuhulon
• Betta obscura
• Betta pinguis

Albimarginata Complex

• Betta albimarginata
  • Common Name(s): Whiteseam Fighter, Strawberry Betta
  • Localities: Malinau, Sebuku
  • Kept By: The_fishy
    
    
• Info:
  • Size: 1 inch to 2 inches, with the Sebuku locality being larger
  • Lifespan: 2 to 3 years
  • pH: 4.0-7.5 (low preferred)
  • gH: 18-100 ppm (low TDS preferred)
  • Temperature: low 70F to 85F, with cooler 70's preferred and higher temps inducing breeding
  • Minimum Tank Size: 5 gallons for a pair, 10 for a trio, 20+ for a group
  • Natural Habitat Features: Typical of shallow blackwater streams, consisting of low lighting and slow to moderate flow with plenty of plant, rock, and driftwood cover. Tannins and leaf litter are optimal. Generally, they are tolerant to gradual parameter changes.
  • Behavior/Temperament: Generally peaceful, although dominance displays and short bouts of aggression are common amongst a group. Females are more aggressive and insistent on breeding than males, so a ratio of at least 2 to 3 males to every female should be kept. Anything super tiny, such as small fry and young dwarf shrimp, will be eaten, but otherwise they are safe for community tanks of small, calm species that are unlikely to outcompete them for food. Wild-caught individuals are more reclusive, but can be outgoing once used to people. Captive-bred fish are typically confident beggars. Excellent jumpers, even the smallest gaps in an aquarium lid need covered.
  • Diet: Carnivorous. Individuals can be transitioned from live to frozen and processed foods, of which flakes are accepted most often.
  • Breeding: Mouthbrooders. After a few practice embraces, fertilized eggs will be released on the tail of the male, then transitioned to the mouth, with the process repeated until all eggs are fertilized. The male holds 3 to 40 eggs without eating for 10 days to 21 days, then releases the young. In some cases, the young will be eaten by adults, so keeping them separate is appropriate. The fry are large enough initially to feed upon baby brine and will reach maturity in around 6 to 7 months. For optimal yield, the male should be separated from the female or group around the 7th day of holding, then placed in confinement after the fry are released. This will ensure that he can regain weight and not be bred to death by the female.

• Betta channoides
  • Kept By: Burdigala

Anabantoides Complex

• Betta anabantoides
• Betta midas

Bellica Complex

• Betta bellica
• Betta simorum

Coccina Complex

• Betta brownorum
• Betta burdigala
• Betta coccina
• Betta hendra
• Betta livida
• Betta miniopinna
• Betta persephone
• Betta rutilans
• Betta tussyae
• Betta uberis
• Betta wojak

Dimidiata Complex

• Betta dimidiata
• Betta krataios

Edithae Complex

• Betta edithae

Foerschi Complex

• Betta foerschi
• Betta mandor
• Betta strohi
• Betta rubra
  • Common Name(s): Toba Betta
  • Locations: Northwestern Sumatra
  • Kept By: Burdigala
• Info:
  • Size: 2"
  • pH: 5.0-6.5
  • gH: 18-90 ppm
  • Temperature: 22-27°C (72-80°F)
  • Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons for a pair, 20+ gallons for a group.
  • Natural Habitat Features: Blackwater environment, with leaf litters and wood. There are little to no plant growth in these blackwater environments.
  • Behavior/Temperament: Somewhat territorial, but can be kept together with little to no damage.
  • Diet: Insectivores. Wild-caught specimens may need to be fed live or frozen foods initially, but over time they can take dry food.
  • Breeding: Mouthbrooder, in which females usually initiate spawning. Like all species of Betta, Betta rubra usually do an embrace, where the male wraps around the females. Males will collect and hold the eggs for around 10-17 days. During this time, he won't eat. Males may swallow the eggs due to stress or inexperienced. It is best to remove the female as she has no function in caring the fry and may even pester the male into breeding once he releases the fry. Newly spit fry can take baby brine shrimp right away.

Picta Complex

• Betta falx
• Betta pallida
• Betta picta
• Betta simplex
• Betta taeniata

Pugnax Complex

• Betta apollon
• Betta breviobesus
• Betta cracens
• Betta enisae
• Betta ferox
• Betta fusca
• Betta kuehnei
• Betta lehi
• Betta pallida
• Betta prima
• Betta pugnax
• Betta pulchra
• Betta schalleri
• Betta stigmosa
• Betta raja

Splendens Complex

• Betta imbellis
  • Kept By: Burdigala
  • Common Name(s): Peaceful Betta, Crescent Betta
  • Locations: Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra, Vietnam
• Info:
  • Size: 2"
  • Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons for a pair, 20+ gallons for a group.
  • pH: 5.0-7.5
  • gH: 18-179 ppm
  • Temperature: 20-28°C (68-82°F)
  • Natural Habitat Features: Found in rice paddies, ditches, streams, and ponds. The water is stagnant, with little oxygen. Marginal plants, leaf litters, and sand substrate make an excellent environment for Betta imbellis.
  • Behavior/Temperament: Peaceful for the most part. Males and females can be housed together, even males can be housed together if kept in a large size aquarium with 20 gallons being the minimum.
  • Diet: Insectivores. Wild-caught specimens may need to be fed live or frozen foods initially, but over time they can take dry food.
  • Breeding: Bubblenester. Males create bubble nests underneath floating plants or leaves and are ones that initiate spawning. Spawning occurs underneath the nest with the male wrapping around the female. The females will release eggs and the male will carry the eggs and put them in the bubble nest. The eggs will hatch in about two or three days, but the fry is still bound to the nest. It will take around three days until the fry could start free-swimming. During this time, they are being fed through their yolk sac. Newly free-swimming fry should be infusoria and can be fed live baby brine shrimp or microworms after a week.

• Betta siamorientalis
• Betta smaragdina
• Betta splendens (wild)
• Betta stikos
• Betta mahachaiensis

Unimaculata Complex

• Betta compuncta
• Betta gladiator
• Betta ideii
• Betta macrostoma
• Betta ocellata
• Betta pallifina
• Betta patoi
• Betta unimaculata

Waseri Complex

• Betta chloropharynx
• Betta hipposideros
• Betta omega
• Betta pardalotos
• Betta pi
• Betta renata
• Betta spilotogena
• Betta tomi
• Betta waseri

Undescribed

• Betta sp. Api Api
• Betta sp. Antuta
• Betta sp. Bangka
• Betta sp. Bung Bihn
• Betta sp. Candy
• Betta sp. Kapuas
• Betta sp. Pangkalanbun
• Betta sp. Sanggau
• Betta sp. Sukadana

 

Since there isn’t a ton of forum info on keeping wild bettas, I was thinking it would be nice if we compiled our knowledge.

To contribute, please provide what you know about the following and I’ll add it to the main post so that it is easy to find.

-Species name (scientific and common if there is one)
-Picture (male, female, juvenile if possible, max 4 photos)
-Size
-Tank size minimum
-pH
-kH/gH
-Temperature
-Natural habitat features
-Behavior/temperament
-Diet
-Breeding

Following! This is very interesting as I want to keep wilds in the future.

 

I would love to eventually have some macrostoma, so this thread could be super useful!

 

If anyone knows any members keeping wilds, please refer them here!

I’ll be filling out the albimarginata for myself later tonight.

 

If anyone knows any members keeping wilds, please refer them here!

Me. I'm currently keeping picta, channoides, rubra, and imbellis.


It seems you're forgetting one species on the list.

What about other Betta species that don't have an actual scientific name such as Betta sp. Api Api, Betta sp. Antuta, Betta sp. Candy, etc.? The ones that aren't on the list.

Also, "Betta wajok" does not have a valid species name, so it remains Betta sp. Wajok for now. However, there was one video made by one person who claims that Betta sp. Wajok is actually Betta rutilans.

 

Me. I'm currently keeping picta, channoides, rubra, and imbellis.


It seems you're forgetting one species on the list.

What about other Betta species that don't have an actual scientific name such as Betta sp. Api Api, Betta sp. Antuta, Betta sp. Candy, etc.? The ones that aren't on the list.

Also, "Betta wajok" does not have a valid species name, so it remains Betta sp. Wajok for now. However, there was one video made by one person who claims that Betta sp. Wajok is actually Betta rutilans.

I'll make the correction! For species, I went down the IBC's list.

 

I'll make the correction! For species, I went down the IBC's list.

Hmmm.... You're still forgetting that one valid species of Betta in the list.

 

Hmmm.... You're still forgetting that one valid species of Betta in the list.

Found it! My phone had deleted it when I indented.

 

Following!

 

Found it! My phone had deleted it when I indented.

I don't see it.

 

I don't see it.

Which am I missing? I must have caught a different one.

 

Which am I missing? I must have caught a different one.

I see that Betta sp. Candy is not on the list as well as Betta nuluhon.


Slight inaccuracy to the list, but B. nuluhon is not in the splendens complex, it's actually in the akarensis complex.

 

I see that Betta sp. Candy is not on the list as well as Betta nuluhon.


Slight inaccuracy to the list, but B. nuluhon is not in the splendens complex, it's actually in the akarensis complex.

Should be all fixed now! Thanks.

 

I had to look that up because I thought Betta sp. Candy was a joke - nope, it's real. Crazy.

Loving this list! I hope to keep wild bettas myself one day.

 

-Common Name: Peaceful Betta, Crescent Betta
-Locations: Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra, Vietnam
-Picture (male, female, juvenile if possible, max 4 photos)


Image source Wikipedia

-Size: 2"
-Tank size minimum: 10 gallons for a pair, 20 gallons or higher for a group.
-pH: 5.0-7.5
-gH: 18-179 ppm
-Temperature: 20-28°C (68-82°F)
-Natural habitat features: Found in rice paddies, ditches, streams, and ponds. The water is stagnant, with little oxygen. Marginal plants, leaf litters, and sand substrate make an excellent environment for Betta imbellis.
-Behavior/temperament: Peaceful for the most part. Males and females can be housed together, even males can be housed together if kept in a large size aquarium with 20 gallons being the minimum.
-Diet: Insectivores. Wild-caught specimens may need to be fed live or frozen foods initially, but over time they can take dry food.
-Breeding: Bubblenester. Males create bubble nests underneath floating plants or leaves and are ones that initiate spawning. Spawning occurs underneath the nest with the male wrapping around the female. The females will release eggs and the male will carry the eggs and put them in the bubble nest. The eggs will hatch in about two or three days, but the fry is still bound to the nest. It will take around three days until the fry could start free-swimming. During this time, they are being fed through their yolk sac. Newly free-swimming fry should be infusoria and can be fed live baby brine shrimp or microworms after a week.


-Common Name: Toba Betta
-Locations: Northwestern Sumatra
-Picture (male, female, juvenile if possible, max 4 photos)

-Size: 2"
-pH: 5.0-6.5
-gH: 18-90 ppm
-Temperature: 22-27°C (72-80°F)
-Tank size minimum: 10 gallons for a pair, 20 gallons or larger for a group.
-Natural habitat features: Blackwater environment, with leaf litters and wood. There are little to no plant growth in these blackwater environments.
-Behavior/temperament: Somewhat territorial, but can be kept together with little to no damage.
-Diet: Insectivores. Wild-caught specimens may need to be fed live or frozen foods initially, but over time they can take dry food.
-Breeding: Mouthbrooder, in which females usually initiate spawning. Like all species of Betta, Betta rubra usually do an embrace, where the male wraps around the females. Males will collect and hold the eggs for around 10-17 days. During this time, he won't eat. Males may swallow the eggs due to stress or inexperienced. It is best to remove the female as she has no function in caring the fry and may even pester the male into breeding once he releases the fry. Newly spit fry can take baby brine shrimp right away.

 

Mods, would we please be able to keep the first post editable indefinitely?

Lucy

 

The_fishy you should add a difficulty to the template. I think this would help people who are browsing choose the right type since some may sound good, but be expert level.

 

Mods, would we please be able to keep the first post editable indefinitely?

Lucy

If you need the op editing just contact one of us & we’ll do it for you.
Also please remember do not use copyrighted images as they will be removed as some have been already

 

The_fishy you should add a difficulty to the template. I think this would help people who are browsing choose the right type since some may sound good, but be expert level.

That is true. Some of them are definitely more challenging to breed or more particular about tank conditions.

If you need the op editing just contact one of us & we’ll do it for you.
Also please remember do not use copyrighted images as they will be removed as some have been already

Okay, thank you. Could you put a reminder in about the copywrite? Also, what would be the best way to ask for changes and still keep the same formatting?

EDIT: There is a random bullet above Betta siamorientalis that needs deleted.

 

Could you put a reminder in about the copywrite? Also, what would be the best way to ask for changes and still keep the same formatting?

EDIT: There is a random bullet above Betta siamorientalis that needs deleted.

Reminder added & bullet removed.
For editing send us what you want in the format you want & we can copy & paste it in.

 

Reminder added & bullet removed.
For editing send us what you want in the format you want & we can copy & paste it in.

Okay, thank you for your help! Sorry about the pictures.

 

The_fishy are Betta albimarginata compatible with ramshorns?

 

The_fishy are Betta albimarginata compatible with ramshorns?

They will definitely hunt down the little ones, but I haven’t had them with large ones, so I can’t say there.

 

They will definitely hunt down the little ones, but I haven’t had them with large ones, so I can’t say there.

Are Betta albimarginata easy to breed?

 

Are Betta albimarginata easy to breed?

Yes, but like most fish, the best rearing success seems to be when there is space to move the fry for grow out. If the male is the one being relocated, it is key to not stress him out too much or he will swallow the brood.

 

Yes, but like most fish, the best rearing success seems to be when there is space to move the fry for grow out. If the male is the one being relocated, it is key to not stress him out too much or he will swallow the brood.

Where could I buy a trio or pair of these betta? Where did you get yours?

 

Where could I buy a trio or pair of these betta? Where did you get yours?

I got mine from Blackwater Aquatics. If you are fine with transhipping and if international shipping is open right now Ivenbetta also has them. As of now, many places (Wet Spot, Aquabid) are unable to get them or they aren’t listed for sale currently. You’ll probably be looking at around $50 a pair. I have some juveniles that are almost adults, I’ve just been waiting for full color development to decide which I will keep/sell.

 

I got mine from Blackwater Aquatics. If you are fine with transhipping and if international shipping is open right now Ivenbetta also has them. As of now, many places (Wet Spot, Aquabid) are unable to get them or they aren’t listed for sale currently. I have some juveniles that are almost adults, I’ve just been waiting for full color development to decide which I will keep/sell.

I'll check out Blackwater Aquatics! Thanks!

 

I'll check out Blackwater Aquatics! Thanks!

Sure thing!

 

Haven’t updated this in awhile, I’ll try and add more species info tomorrow. If you have photos that you took yourself, please post them!

 

Hi, my male albimaginata is holding but he is in a 20L with his female and a pair of persephones and a pair of rubra. Should i move him or move the rest and leave him in the tank?
Also how should i go about spawning betta rubra, should i seperate them in a tank of their own?
Also betta mandor as many say its hard to get them to breed.
Ph 7.2-7.5
Ppm-112
Temp-75-77
And lots of pots and leaf litter.

 

Hi, my male albimaginata is holding but he is in a 20L with his female and a pair of persephones and a pair of rubra. Should i move him or move the rest and leave him in the tank?
Also how should i go about spawning betta rubra, should i seperate them in a tank of their own?
Also betta mandor as many say its hard to get them to breed.
Ph 7.2-7.5
Ppm-112
Temp-75-77
And lots of pots and leaf litter.

I usually pull the male albimarginata aside after day 7 of holding. If you move him too early, he may get stressed and swallow the fry.

For rubra, the temp should be in the low 70’s and live food offered, such as brine shrimp. Increasing the temp above that, then dropping to low 70’s may also help.

 

can a pair of Albimarginata Complex fit in a 5 gallon bio orb tank with a cherry shrimp and some other oddballs? maybe 2-3 bubble bee gobies and 2-3 pea puffer? could a few white clouds be added as well or not what is my best stocking options with those listed above.

 

can a pair of Albimarginata Complex fit in a 5 gallon bio orb tank with a cherry shrimp and some other oddballs? maybe 2-3 bubble bee gobies and 2-3 pea puffer? could a few white clouds be added as well or not what is my best stocking options with those listed above.

That would be too small of a space, especially with the other fish, and the wilds and puffers are likely to eat the shrimp. I would either do:

1 wild
1 snail

1 snail
Shrimp

1 pea puffer

A five is too small for white clouds, gobies (can be territorial and most bumblebee gobies require brackish water), or numerous pea puffers. A puffer is also very likely to kill or injure tankmates in that small of a floorplan.

 

question: where do you get them? I’ve been thinking about getting one/a pair for my 15gal (haven’t picked species yet, they’re all gorgeous) and have zero idea where to find them.

 

question: where do you get them? I’ve been thinking about getting one/a pair for my 15gal (haven’t picked species yet, they’re all gorgeous) and have zero idea where to find them.

You can either work through a transhipper to get them from someone out of your country (such as Ivenbetta) or locate someone more local on the forum or on Aquabid. What country are you in?

 

You can either work through a transhipper to get them from someone out of your country (such as Ivenbetta) or locate someone more local on the forum or on Aquabid. What country are you in?

Sorry for the (very) late response. I’m on the northwest coast of the U.S

 

Sorry for the (very) late response. I’m on the northwest coast of the U.S

Okay, so I have Albimarginata on the southeast coast (just relocated from Maryland). In the US, Blackwater aquatics (California) and the Wet Spot (Oregon) have good variety.

 

Okay, so I have Albimarginata on the southeast coast (just relocated from Maryland). In the US, Blackwater aquatics (California) and the Wet Spot (Oregon) have good variety.

Thank you!

 

I have patoti, coccina, api api, albi, channoides, smaradigna, mahachai, splenden, picta. A pair of ocellata is on the way