Brunei Beauty (Betta macrostoma)
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Brunei Beauty
Brunei Beauty
Betta macrostoma
114 Litres (30 US G.)
10-11 cm (3.9-4.3")
Freshwater
4 - 7
24 -26 °C (75.2-78.8°F)
0-10 °d
1:1 M:F
3-5 years
Family
Osphronemidae
This animal is available captive bred
Contents
Additional names
- Brunei Beauty, Spotfin Betta
Origin
- Asia: Borneo. They are found only in Brunei Darussalum and northern Sarawak; as collecting the fish in Brunei is banned, most of the fish in the hobby hail from Sarawak.
Sexing
- Males are far more vivid in color and have larger mouths than females. These are mouth-brooding Bettas, with the male holding the eggs for several weeks before releasing a small number of relatively large fry. Males of this species are notorious for swallowing broods when stressed, so sudden movements should be kept to a minimum after they have spawned.
Tank compatibility
- Not an ideal community inhabitant due to its rarity. Small fish will be eaten by these rather large bettas. Attempting to keep more than a pair in most tanks usually results in the males fighting incessantly; even females will fight vigorously until a hierarchy is established.
Diet
- Will accept most foods including pellet, flake, bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp. May or may not wean on to dried foods.
Feeding regime
- Feed once or twice a day. As with all bettas, a weekly fast is recommended to prevent obesity.
Environment specifics
- Requires a spacious tank with plenty of hiding places. Does not appreciate a strong current. Substrate preferred should be as close to their natural habitat as possible with gravel and leaf litter, together with bogwood and stone décor; as they need soft, acidic conditions, shells, limestone, or other ph-raising decor should be avoided. Needs a tight, heavy lid, as this betta is a powerful jumper and can dislodge light lids due to its size and strength.
Behaviour
- See above with tank compatibility. Somewhat shy.
Identification
- The male is highly unlikely to be confused with any other fish; he is vivid red in colour with a black, yellow and red banded caudal fin. The dorsal fin is speckled with white spots. He has a black vertical black band behind the gill plate and a black jaw. The female is much paler in color, often with two black horizontal lines running the length of the body; these will be more apparent when the fish is stressed.
Notes
- This species is quite expensive; it is not uncommon for spawning pairs to go for $150 or more, even before shipping. Coupled with the fact that this is not one of the hardier wild bettas, these are not good beginner's fish.
Pictures
External links
- Fishbase (Mirrors: Error creating thumbnail: Unable to save thumbnail to destination)
