Betta fish

Betta fish are labyrinth breathers that hold territory and often cannot be housed together, so tankmates and tank size matter as much as water. The pet-store show betta is one species, Betta splendens, bred into dozens of fin and color forms, while the wild Betta species range from peaceful mouthbrooders to fish that need soft, acidic water. Each profile lists tank size, temperament and the conditions a betta needs.

38 species

• Akar Betta

  Betta akarensis

  3.1 in (8 cm)20 gal (75 L)70–81°F (21–27°C)

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  Apollon betta

  Betta apollon

  2.2 in (5.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
• Balunga Betta

  Betta balunga

  2 in (5 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)

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  Betta

  Betta splendens

  3 in (7.5 cm)7 gal (25 L)72–86°F (22–30°C)
• Brown's betta

  Betta brownorum

  1.2 in (3 cm)11 gal (40 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
• Brunei beauty betta

  Betta macrostoma

  3.9 in (10 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

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  Channoides betta

  Betta channoides

  1.6 in (4 cm)11 gal (40 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)

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  Chukai Betta

  Betta tussyae

  1.6 in (4 cm)11 gal (40 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)

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  Crescent betta

  Betta imbellis

  2.4 in (6 cm)12 gal (45 L)68–82°F (20–28°C)

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  Dimidiata betta

  Betta dimidiata

  1.6 in (4 cm)12 gal (45 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)

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  Edith's betta

  Betta edithae

  2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)

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  Emerald betta

  Betta smaragdina

  2.4 in (6 cm)11 gal (40 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)

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  Enisae betta

  Betta enisae

  2.4 in (6 cm)16 gal (60 L)70–77°F (21–25°C)
• Eyespot betta

  Betta ocellata

  3.5 in (9 cm)24 gal (90 L)70–77°F (21–25°C)

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  Falx betta

  Betta falx

  2 in (5 cm)16 gal (60 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
• Foersch's betta

  Betta foerschi

  2 in (5 cm)16 gal (60 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
• Hendra betta

  Betta hendra

  1.8 in (4.5 cm)11 gal (40 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)

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  Horseshoe betta

  Betta hipposideros

  3.1 in (8 cm)24 gal (90 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)

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  Krabi mouthbrooder

  Betta simplex

  2.4 in (6 cm)16 gal (60 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)

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  Livid betta

  Betta livida

  1.4 in (3.6 cm)11 gal (40 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)

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  Mahachai betta

  Betta mahachaiensis

  2.4 in (6 cm)10 gal (38 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
• One-spot betta

  Betta unimaculata

  4.5 in (11.5 cm)29 gal (110 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)
• Patoti betta

  Betta patoti

  3.9 in (10 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)

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  Persephone betta

  Betta persephone

  1.4 in (3.5 cm)11 gal (40 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)

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  Pi betta

  Betta pi

  3.5 in (9 cm)26 gal (100 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
• Prima betta

  Betta prima

  2 in (5 cm)16 gal (60 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)

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  Pugnax Betta

  Betta pugnax

  2.8 in (7 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
• Pulchra betta

  Betta pulchra

  2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
• Raja Betta

  Betta raja

  2.8 in (7 cm)26 gal (100 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
• Redcheek betta

  Betta rutilans

  1.4 in (3.5 cm)11 gal (40 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)

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  Scarlet betta

  Betta coccina

  1.6 in (4 cm)11 gal (40 L)72–86°F (22–30°C)

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  Slender betta

  Betta bellica

  3.5 in (9 cm)20 gal (75 L)77–86°F (25–30°C)

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  Spotted betta

  Betta picta

  2 in (5 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)

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  Stigmosa betta

  Betta stigmosa

  2 in (5 cm)16 gal (60 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
• Stiktos betta

  Betta stiktos

  2 in (5 cm)11 gal (40 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)

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  Toba betta

  Betta rubra

  1.6 in (4 cm)11 gal (40 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
• Uberis betta

  Betta uberis

  1.4 in (3.6 cm)11 gal (40 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)

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  Whiteseam betta

  Betta albimarginata

  1.2 in (3 cm)11 gal (40 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)