Edit Betta balunga
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Name
Scientific name
Betta balunga
Described by
Authority Herre, Year 1940
Family
Osphronemidae
Common names
Not recorded
Photograph credits
All 2 credited
Summary
Betta balunga is a mouthbrooding labyrinth fish from Borneo, found from Tawau in Sabah, Malaysia, south to the Sebuku and Mahakam basins in…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
50mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 60 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Water movement Low: still or sluggish water
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 22–27°C, pH 5–7
Hardness
1–5dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Species tank only
Social needs
Not recorded
Community suitability
Not for a community
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Indonesia, Malaysia, Borneo, Borneo, Balung, Mahakam, Sebuku
Writing
Etymology
balunga: named for the Balung river system, Malaysian Borneo.
Distribution
Type locality is a ‘tiny brook tributary to the Balung River, 45 miles from Tawau, British North Borneo’ which corresponds to a locality in Tawau Division, Sab…
Habitat
In Sebuku it's been collected alongside B. albimarginata from a flowing forest stream in very shallow (depth 5 – 10 cm) water among marginal plants roots and l…
Aquarium size
An aquarium with base measurements of 60 ∗ 30 cm or equivalent should prove large enough for a pair or small group.
Maintenance
Can be maintained in a fully-decorated aquarium although many breeders prefer not to use a substrate for ease of maintenance. Driftwood roots and branches can …
Water conditions
Not written yet
Diet
Likely to prey on insects. other small invertebrates and zooplankton in nature. Captive fish will normally accept dried products once they're recognised as edi…
Behaviour and compatibility
Not recommended for the standard community set-up for reasons already touched upon. It's requirements and disposition mean it's best kept alone or with very pe…
Sexual dimorphism
Males grow larger, possess a greater amount of iridescent scaling on the head, a broader head shape, and more extended fins than females.
Reproduction
Paternal mouthbrooder. Organise a separate tank for breeding purposes unless the fish are already being maintained alone, setting this up as suggested above. T…
Notes
B. balunga included in the Betta akarensis group of closely-related species within the genus. Members share the following set of characters: possession of pre-…
References
References
1 on this profile