TankBud

Balunga betta

Betta balunga

FreshwaterFish

Balunga betta (Betta balunga)

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–81°F
22–27°C
pH
5.0–7.0
Adult size
2 in
5 cm
Minimum tank
16 gal
60 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Osphronemidae
Origin
Borneo

Overview

The Balunga betta is a small, peaceful mouthbrooding betta for a shaded, planted tank. It is easy to look after.

Did you know

The Balunga betta takes its name from the Balung river in Sabah, in Malaysian Borneo.

Caring for the Balunga betta

Give the Balunga betta at least 16 gal (60 L), with a tight-fitting lid. Use subdued lighting, floating plants for cover, driftwood and a scatter of dried leaves over a dark base. It stays among the wood and plants and rarely bothers its neighbors.

Keep the water very soft and acidic, at 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C) and a pH of 5.0 to 7.0. Very soft water helps it stay healthy, and once the water is right it is an undemanding fish. Offer a varied diet of small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp, plus a fine carnivore dry food.

It does best kept singly or as one settled pair. It is peaceful, though it will snap up tiny creatures. Keep it with other calm, small fishes, or on its own if you plan to breed it.

Despite its small size, the Balunga betta is a paternal mouthbrooder, unlike the many relatives that build bubble nests. The male incubates the eggs in his mouth for around two to three weeks, then releases free-swimming fry. Breeding is rated hard, because it demands very soft, acidic water and a patient approach. A compatible pair in good condition will spawn repeatedly.

Good to know

Betta balunga belongs to the gourami family Osphronemidae and is a member of the akarensis group of mouthbrooders. It is a modestly sized fish.

In the wild

The Balunga betta is found in Borneo, in soft, acidic forest streams and peat-swamp drains shaded by dense vegetation. The water there is often very low in minerals and darkened by tannins.

Common questions

What size tank does a Balunga betta need?

A Balunga betta needs at least 16 gal (60 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Balunga betta need?

A Balunga betta is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 5.0–7.0.

What does a Balunga betta eat?

A Balunga betta eats a varied diet of small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp. Add a fine carnivore dry food as well.

How big does a Balunga betta get?

An adult Balunga betta reaches about 2 in (5 cm).

How does a Balunga betta breed?

Balunga bettas are paternal mouthbrooders. The male incubates the eggs in his mouth for around two to three weeks, then releases free-swimming fry. Breeding is hard and needs very soft, acidic water, but a compatible pair in good condition will spawn repeatedly.

Related species