Edit Betta ocellata

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Name

Scientific name

Betta ocellata

Described by

Authority de Beaufort, Year 1933

Family

Osphronemidae

Common names

Not recorded

Photograph credits

All 17 credited

Summary

Betta ocellata is a large paternal mouthbrooding labyrinth fish from Sabah, northeastern Borneo, and the Sebuku River basin in East Kaliman…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

90mm, standard length

Aquarium size

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

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 21–25°C, pH 5.5–7.5

Hardness

0–10dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Species tank only

Community suitability

Not for a community

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Indonesia, Malaysia, Borneo, Borneo, Kinabatangan, Kretam Kechil, Pinang, Sebuku

Writing

Etymology

Not written yet

Distribution

Native to the Malaysian state of Sabah in northeastern Borneo plus the northern tip of Kalimantan Timur (East Kalimantan), one of the four Indonesian provinces…

Habitat

Has been collected from numerous habitat-types including clear, flowing streams and isolated, elevated pools around headwaters (Sabah) as well as more turbid f…

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. Captive fish will normally accept dried products once they're recognised as edib…

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, are more colourful, possess a broader head shape, and develop 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

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

This species is included in the Betta unimaculata complex of closely-related species within the genus, of which members share the following set of characters: body long and slender with depth at dorsal fin origin 18-25 % SL; head large and blunt with width 19-24 % SL; long maxilla and lower lip with distance from tip of lower jaw to posterior end of maxilla 27-54 % HL; caudal-fin rounded in shape, occasionally with elongated median rays; pelvic-fin short and filamentous; dorsal and anal fins relatively pointed.

The unique combination of characters distinguishing it from others in the group is as follows: head pointed, slightly conical; 30-31 anal-fin rays; 32-34 lateral scales; length of anal-fin base 52.2-54.5 % SL; length of dorsal-fin base 10.5-11.3 % SL; head width 21.0-24.0 % SL.

The genus Betta is the most speciose within the family Osphronemidae with almost 70 recognised members and looks set to grow further with new ones continuing to be described on a regular basis since the turn of the century.

Member species have successfully adapted to inhabit a variety of ecological niches from stagnant ditches to flowing hill streams including some extreme environments such as highly acidic peat swamp forests.

The referral of members to a number of groups containing closely-related species is now generally accepted but largely based on morphological/behavioural characters. Molecular phylogenetic work is thus required and would undoubtedly prove useful in more precisely determining relationships between these fishes.

A full list of the species groups as currently recognised can be found here.

Like others in the suborder Anabantoidei this species possesses an accessory breathing organ known as the labyrinth. So-called due to its maze-like structure this organ allows the fish to breathe atmospheric air to a certain extent.

Comprising paired suprabranchial organs formed via expansion of the epibranchial (upper) section of the first gill arch and housed in a chamber above the gills, it contains many highly-vascularised, folded flaps of skin which function as a large respiratory surface. Its structure varies in complexity between species, tending to be better-developed in those inhabiting harsher environments.

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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.

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Year

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References

2 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