Mahachai Fighter (Betta mahachaiensis)
From The Aquarium Wiki
Mahachai Fighter
Betta mahachaiensis
38 Litres (10 US G.)
2.5-5.1cm (1-2 ")
7 - 8.5
24.4-27.8°C (76 -82 °F)
5-25 °d
1:1-3 M:F
1-2 years
Family
Osphronemidae
This animal is available captive bred
Contents
Additional names
Additional scientific names
- Betta sp. Mahachai, Betta mahachaiensis
Origin
- The population of Mahachai Fighters is very small and is unusual among Bettas in that they are exclusively found in a brackish swamp 30 minutes away from Bangkok situated by the Gulf of Thailand and subjected to flooding by the Tha Chin River. These fish are usually found near the Nypa palms that abound in these swamps, which are used for cover and as support for their bubble nests.
Sexing
- Males are generally more vibrantly colored than females and have longer fins.
Tank compatibility
- A relatively shy fish that can be combined with other small, lightly brackish fish such as bumblebee gobies and small live bearers. They should be kept in male-female pairs in a 10 gallon, but mixed sex groups can be kept if the tank is at least 30 gallons in size.
Diet
- A carnivorous fish that should be fed live/frozen foods such as bloodworm and brine shrimp. They may or may not accept pellets and usually refuse flake.
Feeding regime
- Feed once or twice a day, and fast them once a week since Bettas are prone to obesity.
Environment Specifics
- Best kept in a lightly brackish setup with brackish tolerant plants, such as java fern. Keep the tank well covered since the fish are excellent jumpers!
Behaviour
- This Betta is more peaceful than the well known Betta splendens. Males will flare at each other, but if kept in a minimum 30 gallon tank will not kill each other. Males can still be hostile while guarding a bubble nest, however.
Identification
- An attractive little fish that looks very similar to wild Betta splendens and Betta imbellis. They can be easily distinguished from such species by their complete lack of red coloring in the fins and often by a distinctive spade tail.
