Edit Betta macrostoma

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Name

Scientific name

Betta macrostoma

Described by

Authority Regan, Year 1910

Family

Osphronemidae

Common names

Brunei Beauty

Photograph credits

All 29 credited

Summary

The Brunei beauty, Betta macrostoma, is a large paternal mouthbrooding labyrinth fish endemic to Brunei and the northern tip of Sarawak, Bo…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

100mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 80 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Water movement Low: still or sluggish water

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 20–25°C, pH 4–6

Hardness

0–5dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Species tank only

Community suitability

Not for a community

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Brunei, Malaysia, Borneo, Mendarem

Writing

Etymology

Not written yet

Distribution

Endemic to Borneo where it's known only from Brunei Darussalam and the northern tip of the Malaysian state of Sarawak. In Brunei there exist a number of known …

Habitat

Has been collected from still, shady pools at the top of rainforest waterfalls in both Brunei and Sarawak. Substrates appear to be composed mainly of gravel/ro…

Aquarium size

An aquarium with base measurements of 80 ∗ 30 cm or equivalent is sufficient for a pair.

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 and other small invertebrates/zooplankton in nature, plus perhaps the shrimp that share its habitat. Captive fish will normally accep…

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…

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 peaceful species since much bigger or more vigorous fishes are likely to intimidate and outcompete it. Some small cyprinids and loaches that inhabit similar environments in nature are compatible.

It's best maintained in a pair, though it may be necessary to maintain a group temporarily in order that the fish are able to choose their own partners. Males tend to fight incessantly when housed together and even females will squabble until a hierarchy of dominance forms.

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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 pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

Web address

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DOI

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Title

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Authors

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Year

Journal or publisher

Pages

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Anything worth adding

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Sexual dimorphism

Males tend to grow larger, are more colourful, have a broader head shape and more extended fins than females.

Reproduction

Paternal mouthbrooder. Ideally organise a separate tank for breeding purposes, unless the fish are already being maintained alone, setting this up as suggested…

Notes

B. macrostoma is included in the Betta unimaculata complex of closely-related species within the genus, of which members share the following set of characters:…

References

3 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References