Edit Betta imbellis

You can suggest changes to this profile. A moderator will review each change.

Name

Scientific name

Betta imbellis

Described by

Authority Ladiges, Year 1975

Family

Osphronemidae

Summary

The crescent betta, Betta imbellis, is a labyrinth fish thought to be native to southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia and northern Sumatra…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

60mm, standard length

Tank size

Minimum length 45 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Water movement Low: still or sluggish water

Water

Temperature and pH

Temperature 20–28°C, pH 5–7.5

Hardness

1–10dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Species tank only

Community suitability

Not for a community

Where it lives

Countries

Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand

Supporting text

Etymology

Betta: from ikan betah, the vernacular Malay for species of this genus. imbellis: from the Latin imbellis, meaning 'peaceful'.

Distribution

Thought to occur naturally in southern (peninsular) Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, and northern Sumatra, but has been introduced to other areas with feral popu…

Habitat

Inhabits still and sluggish waters, including rice paddies, swamps, roadside ditches, streams and ponds. These are often shaded by submerged, surface or margin…

Aquarium size

An aquarium with base measurements of 45 ∗ 30 cm18 ∗ 12 in or equivalent is large enough for a pair.

Maintenance

This species fares best in a well-planted, shady aquarium with plenty of surface cover in the form of tall stem plants, floating types such as Salvinia or Ricc…

This species fares best in a well-planted, shady aquarium with plenty of surface cover in the form of tall stem plants, floating types such as Salvinia or Riccia spp., or tropical lilies from the genus Nymphaea. Cryptocoryne spp. are also a good choice.

Driftwood can also be used and other plants such as Microsorum or Taxiphyllum spp. may be attached to it. Small clay plant pots, lengths of plastic piping or empty camera film cases can also be included to provide further shelter.

The addition of dried leaf litter offers additional cover and brings with it the growth of microbe colonies as decomposition occurs. These can provide a valuable secondary food source for fry, while tannins and other chemicals released by the decaying leaves are considered beneficial.

As it naturally inhabits sluggish environments strong water movement should be avoided, with an air-powered sponge filter set to turn over gently adequate. Keep the aquarium well-covered and do not fill it to the top since like all Betta spp. it requires occasional access to the layer of humid air that will form above the water surface, and is an excellent jumper.

Editing needs JavaScript. This is the text as it was last saved.

Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the profileFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

Web address

Paste the address of the page that says this. What counts as a source

DOI

Paste a DOI and we will look up the rest of the reference. A DOI looks like 10.11646/zootaxa.4694.4.1, and most papers print it on the first page.

Title

Enter the title of the paper, book or page. If you leave it empty, we will use the website's address.

Authors

Separate authors with semicolons, e.g. Tan, H.H.; Ng, P.K.L.

Year

Journal or publisher

Pages

Enter the page that says this, e.g. 218 or 218–221.

Anything worth adding

Describe what you saw, or which part of the source says this.

Water conditions

Not written yet

Diet

Likely to prey on aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates in nature. Captive fish will normally accept dried products once they are recognised as edible, but sho…

Behaviour and compatibility

Not recommended for the standard community aquarium. Its care requirements and disposition mean it is best kept alone or with very peaceful species. Some small…

Sexual dimorphism

Males are more colourful than females and develop extended fins as they mature.

Reproduction

Bubble nester. It is particularly important to provide plenty of cover for the female, and empty camera film canisters or lengths of plastic tubing can be used…

Notes

This species has been extensively line-bred for aggression in southern Thailand, where it is used in organised bouts in the same way as B. splendens elsewhere.…

References

6 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Tank size

Water

Temperature and pH

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries

Supporting text

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References