Order Perciformes ( Perciformes )
Suborder Anabantoidei ( Anabantoidei )
Family Osphronemidae ( Osphronemidae )
Subfamily ( Macropodusinae )
Continued…
Genus Betta, or fighting fish — Betta.
— Betta picta, Javan Mouthbrooding Fighting Fish — Betta picta [Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1846]. Synonyms: Betta trifasciata, Panchax pictum. (Eng. Javan Mouthbrooding Fighting Fish, Spotted Betta). Singapore, Java, Sumatra. The fish inhabits vegetation-rich streams, shallow rivers, ditches, as well as swampy bodies of water. 4-5 cm. Elongated body shape, slender but full (almost round in cross-section). Mouth directed upwards. Dorsal fin relatively short, anal fin long and elongated. The ends of the ventral fin are also elongated. Pectoral fins rounded. Caudal fin rounded in females, can be slightly lanceolate in adult males.
Coloration is variable. The body ranges from dark brown to reddish-brown, with iridescent glints on the scales, chest is golden, lighter towards the belly. There are 3 dark longitudinal stripes along the body, the middle one runs from the snout to the caudal fin, the rest begin behind the operculum. During spawning, several transverse stripes appear. The intensity of the stripe coloration depends on mood. Iridescent patches on the opercula.
The male is larger, has a greater number of iridescent spots on the head and body, all fins except the pectorals are yellowish to reddish-brown. The anal and caudal fins of males are turquoise with a broad dark blue border. The elongated rays of the ventral fins are light blue. In the female, the fins are colorless, sometimes with a stepped pattern.
It is best to keep a group of 6-8 fish with peaceful fish species; the female forms and defends a territory, the males are quite peaceful. Males and females live in different territories, which they defend against representatives of the opposite sex. Females are aggressive towards each other. It is advisable to place plant thickets and caves, driftwood and grottoes in the aquarium, where females can hide if chased. They stay in the middle water layer. They spend most of their time hiding behind rocks and plants.
The water must be rich in oxygen and have a low dissolved organic content. A third of the aquarium water must be changed weekly. They can be fed live food, with a little plant matter added, and artificial substitutes used. Easy to keep and breed. Sexual maturity is reached at 6-10 months. Spawning is in pairs and can take place both in a general aquarium and in a spawning aquarium.
The male builds a foam nest under the leaves of floating plants, but fish can also spawn without building a nest, under large leaves to which they attach the eggs. The male incubates the eggs in his mouth, hiding in a shelter. The female guards the territory during spawning, and her main purpose is to prevent competing females, and she also chases away other males that enter the territory. T 24-26°C; pH 6.0-7.5; dH 2-6°.
— Penang mouthbrooding fighter — Betta pugnax [Cantor, 1849]. Synonyms: Macropodus pugnax, Betta brederi. (Eng. Forrest, Penang, Malayan Betta, Penang Mouthbrooding Fighter). Malaysia, western Sumatra. Inhabits forest streams, in the coastal zone, among sunken foliage and plant roots. 6-7 cm. Populations from different locations can vary significantly in appearance. Beige with a coffee shade, lighter on the belly, with longitudinal rows of green dots on the body and a turquoise mask on the gills (chest is golden). There are dark longitudinal stripes, the longest runs across the entire body, the other two begin at the gills. Several transverse stripes appear during spawning.
Males have elongated fins with pointed ends, the operculum is covered with shiny scales, especially during spawning. Fins, with the exception of the pectoral, are golden-red, the anal fin has a black stripe with a blue sheen. The tip of the ventral fin is elongated and colored pale blue. Transverse stripes on the broadly lanceolate caudal fin are present only in males. The female is smaller, fuller, paler colored. The female’s fins are uncolored.
Peaceful. Females are territorial. Not aggressive, except during mating time. Shelters are needed. Dense vegetation in the background with driftwood and stone caves. Likes clear water with a slight current. Fine gravel substrate. Keep in a species or mixed aquarium with calm inhabitants. If the aquarium is small, then at the time of spawning the rest of the fighting fish are forced to stay near the back wall or hide in shelters. Only briefly do the fish rise to the surface to “air breathe”. Males incubate eggs in the mouth. After spawning, the female is removed. pH 6.0-7.5; dH 4-10°; 22-26°C.
— Red fighter, Toba Betta — Betta rubra [Perugia, 1893]. (Eng. Red Fighter, Toba Betta). Sumatra Island, Indonesia. 5 cm. The species has a slender, cylindrical body. Caudal fin is rounded. Between the eyes of the fish are triangular red stripes. The male’s body ranges from pale pink, darkening depending on mood, to reddish-brown. On the lower half of the body are short, relatively wide dark vertical stripes. There are numerous small black dots on the upper part of the head. Lower jaw with a black pattern.
On the operculum and behind it there are two black shiny spots. Ventral and all unpaired fins are red. In the center of the caudal fin, the lower region of the anal fin, and the ventral fins have a golden sheen. Both sexes have a light blue border on the pectoral fin. The female is brownish, sometimes with a slightly shimmering green color. Reddish stripes on the operculum. Males are somewhat larger with elongated fins.
The aquarium should be structured to create visual barriers and plenty of hiding places. A single pair can be kept, males are very pugnacious, but actual physical damage is very rare. It is better to keep a group of fish (one male together with several females) in a large species aquarium. In a general aquarium, it can be kept with peaceful, not too aggressive small species. The aquarium is closed at the top, the fish are prone to jumping.
Thickets of plants, driftwood, and stone caves will provide oppressed females and defeated rivals with the necessary shelter. It feels best in rather dim lighting, so floating plants should be let across the surface. Substrate is soft, sandy. Water flow should not be too strong. Water from acidic to neutral, soft, preferably filtered through peat.
Glowing red color is only possible in soft, peated water. Water changes should be done extremely carefully, as a sharp change in parameters can lead to shock and death of the fish. In nature, they feed almost exclusively on insects, which they hunt near the water surface, jumping to catch prey from overhanging leaves. Regular feeding with small live or frozen foods is necessary. Prone to obesity. The male carries the eggs in his mouth. T 22-27°C; dH 2-8°; pH 5.5-6.5.
Identification: Genus Betta — Betta picta, pugnax, rubra.
Betta rutilans, simplex, smaragdina.
Betta imbellis, macrostoma, persephone. 
