Balunga Betta

Betta balunga

FreshwaterFish

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
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Easy
Breeding: Hard
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Borneo
Family: Osphronemidae

Overview

The Balunga betta is a small, peaceful mouthbrooding betta that does best kept singly or as one settled pair. It stays in the middle of the tank among wood and plants and rarely bothers its neighbours, though it will snap up tiny creatures. Keep it with other calm, small fishes or on its own if you plan to breed. Offer a varied diet of small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp, plus a fine carnivore dry food. It is an undemanding fish once the water is right, and a tank of about 60 liters or larger with a tight-fitting lid suits it well.

In the wild

This betta is found in Borneo, in soft, acidic forest streams and peat-swamp drains shaded by dense vegetation. The water is often very low in mineral content and darkened by tannins. Recreate that with subdued lighting, floating plants for cover, driftwood and a scatter of dried leaves over a dark base. Keep the temperature between 22 and 27 degrees Celsius and the pH acidic, from about 5.0 to 7.0. Very soft water helps it stay healthy and is essential if you want it to breed.

Good to know

Betta balunga sits in the gourami family Osphronemidae and is a member of the akarensis group of mouthbrooders. It is a modestly sized fish with a standard length of only about 5 centimeters. It is a paternal mouthbrooder: the male incubates the eggs in his mouth for around two to three weeks before releasing free-swimming fry. Breeding is rated hard because it demands very soft, acidic water and a patient approach, but a compatible pair in good condition will spawn repeatedly.

Did you know

The Balunga betta takes its name from the Balung river in Sabah, in Malaysian Borneo. Despite its small size it broods a clutch of developing eggs and fry inside the male's mouth, a very different strategy from the bubble nests built by many of its relatives.