Edit Betta simorum

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Name

Scientific name

Betta simorum

Described by

Authority Tan & Ng, Year 1996

Family

Osphronemidae

Common names

Not recorded

Photograph credits

All 5 credited

Summary

Betta simorum is a slender bubble-nesting labyrinth fish from Sumatra and the Kapuas River system in West Kalimantan, Borneo, Indonesia. Gr…

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 25–30°C, pH 3–6

Hardness

1–5dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Species tank only

Community suitability

Not for a community

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Indonesia, Borneo, Sumatra, Indragiri, Kapuas

Writing

Etymology

simorum: named for Thomas G. K. Sim and his wife Farah, proprietors of Sindo Aquarium Pte. Ltd. 'for being such excellent hosts during our stays in Jambi'.

Distribution

This species has been collected from various localities in the province of Jambi, Sumatra, the adjacent province of Riau, and the Kapuas River system in Kalima…

Habitat

Inhabits heavily-vegetated forest peat swamps and associated black water streams. These ancient biotopes are usually found in areas of rainforest, the dense ca…

Aquarium size

An aquarium with base dimensions in excess of 80 ∗ 30 cm is recommended.

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

A study conducted in 1994 (in which the species was considered to be B. bellica) revealed a preference for odonate (dragon and damselfly) nymphs, although it p…

A study conducted in 1994 (in which the species was considered to be B. bellica) revealed a preference for odonate (dragon and damselfly) nymphs, although it probably predates on other small invertebrates as well.

Like B. bellica it's a prodigious jumper and has been observed to leap from the water to catch prey from overhanging leaves or branches.

In captivity it will normally accept dried foods once they're recognised as edible, but should be offered small live or frozen foods such as Daphnia, Artemia or bloodworm regularly to ensure development of optimal colour and condition.

Take care not to overfeed as Betta spp. seem particularly prone to obesity.

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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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Behaviour and compatibility

Not recommended for the standard community set-up for reasons already touched upon. It's care requirements and disposition mean it is best kept alone or with v…

Sexual dimorphism

Mature males are more intensely-coloured and develop slightly more extended fins than females.

Reproduction

Bubble-nester. It's particularly important to provide plenty of cover for the female, and empty camera film canisters or lengths of plastic tubing are often us…

Notes

This species is included in the B. bellica group of closely-related species within the genus, an assemblage of which members share the following set of charact…

References

4 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