Apollon betta

Care at a glance

Overview

A pair or small group does well in about 60 liters with a base of 60 cm and a tight lid. Keep water soft and slightly acidic, pH 5.5 to 7.0, at 23 to 27 C. Feed small live and frozen foods such as daphnia, artemia, and bloodworm. Best kept in a species tank or with calm, similar sized fish.

In the wild

Betta apollon comes from forest shaded hill streams in peninsular Thailand. It shelters in shallow water among roots, plants, and leaf litter, and also in faster water between boulders. The water is clear, soft, and slightly acidic. A shaded tank with wood, plants, and gentle flow recreates its habitat.

Good to know

Described by Schindler and Schmidt in 2006, it is a member of the Betta pugnax complex and a paternal mouthbrooder. It is separated from close relatives by an elongated gill ray and by fin and scale counts. Water at the type locality was recorded at pH 6.2 and 24 to 26 C.

Did you know

Betta apollon was described only in 2006 and remains uncommon in the hobby, seen mostly among wild betta specialists.

Related species

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