TankBud

Brown's betta

Betta brownorum

Also known as Ruby betta, Scorpion Betta

FreshwaterFish

Brown's betta (Betta brownorum)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–82°F
24–28°C
pH
4.0–6.0
Adult size
1.2 in
3 cm
Minimum tank
11 gal
40 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
Bubble nester · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Osphronemidae
Origin
Endemic to peat swamp forests of Sarawak and West Kalimantan on Borneo, in acidic blackwater streams.

Overview

Brown's betta is a mostly peaceful blackwater betta for a quiet species tank. It is a fish for experienced keepers.

Did you know

Brown's betta is one of the smallest bettas. It belongs to the Betta coccina group of small red peat swamp fighters.

Caring for the Brown's betta

Keep Brown's bettas as a single pair in a quiet species tank of 11 gal (40 L) or more. A tank with a base of 45 cm suits a pair. Give them a dim, densely planted blackwater setup with driftwood, leaf litter and floating plants for shade. Fit a tight lid to hold humid air.

The water must be very soft and acidic, at a pH of 4.0 to 6.0 and 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C). Bright light and hard water stress this delicate fish. Feed small live and frozen foods such as daphnia, artemia and bloodworm.

Brown's betta is mostly peaceful, but choose any tank mates with caution. Males show a deep red body with a green or blue side spot. It is a bubble nester, and the male builds and guards a nest under leaves or in cavities. Breeding is moderately difficult.

Good to know

Brown's betta, Betta brownorum, is a member of the family Osphronemidae. Witte and Schmidt described it in 1992.

In the wild

Brown's betta comes from peat swamp forests in Sarawak and West Kalimantan on Borneo. It lives in acidic blackwater streams, where the water is extremely soft, often below pH 5, and deeply stained with tannins.

Common questions

What size tank does a Brown's betta need?

A Brown's betta needs at least 11 gal (40 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Brown's betta need?

A Brown's betta is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 4.0–6.0.

What does a Brown's betta eat?

A Brown's betta eats small live and frozen foods such as daphnia, artemia and bloodworm.

How big does a Brown's betta get?

An adult Brown's betta reaches about 1.2 in (3 cm).

How can you tell a male Brown's betta from a female?

Males show a deep red body with a green or blue side spot.

How does a Brown's betta breed?

A Brown's betta is a bubble nester, and the male builds and guards a nest under leaves or in cavities. Breeding it is moderately difficult.

Related species