Edit Betta spilotogena

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Name

Scientific name

Betta spilotogena

Described by

Authority Ng & Kottelat, Year 1994

Family

Osphronemidae

Common names

Not recorded

Photograph credits

All 2 credited

Summary

Betta spilotogena is a mouthbrooding labyrinth fish from Bintan and Singkep islands in the Riau Islands province of Indonesia. It inhabits …

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

70mm, standard length

Aquarium size

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

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 22–27°C, pH 4–6.5

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

Indonesia, Riau Islands

Writing

Etymology

Not written yet

Distribution

Described from a 'small stream' in the north of Bintan Island, Riau Archipelago, Indonesia and subsequently recorded from Singkep Island in the Lingga Islands …

Habitat

Inhabits freshwater swamps and associated streams, typically shaded from the sun by dense riparian vegetation. The water is normally clear or lightly stained w…

Aquarium size

An aquarium with base measurements of 80 ∗ 30 cm could house 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 …

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 be used and placed such a way that a few shady spots are formed. If you can't find driftwood of the desired shape common beech or oak is safe to use if thoroughly dried and stripped of bark. Clay plant pots or lengths of piping can also be included to provide further shelter.

The addition of dried leaf litter, with beech, oak or Ketapang almond leaves all suitable, can further emphasise the natural feel and as well as offering additional cover for the fish brings with it the growth of microbe colonies as decomposition occurs. These can provide a valuable secondary food source for fry and the tannins and other chemicals released by the decaying leaves are also considered beneficial for fishes from blackwater environments.

Allow the wood and leaves to stain the water. Though not essential a small net bag filled with aquarium-safe peat can also be added to the filter or hung over the edge of the tank to aid in the simulation of black water conditions.

Like others in the genus this species seems to do best under fairly dim lighting. You could add Asian plant species that can survive under such conditions such as Microsorum pteropus, Taxiphyllum barbieri or perhaps some potted Cryptocoryne spp., and a few patches of floating vegetation would be useful to diffuse the light entering the tank.

As it naturally inhabits sluggish waters filtration should not be too strong, with an air-powered sponge filter set to turn over gently adequate. Keep the tank well-covered and do not fill it to the top as 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.

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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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DOI

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Title

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Authors

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Year

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Pages

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Anything worth adding

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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

Adult males are more colourful, develop more-extended fins and have a broader head shape 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 waseri group/complex of closely-related species within the genus, an assemblage which also includes a handful of unidenti…

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