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
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Osphronemidae
Origin
Endemic to peat swamp forests of Sarawak and West Kalimantan on Borneo, in acidic blackwater streams.

Overview

A pair fits in a tank of about 40 liters with a base of 45 cm, very soft acidic water at pH 4.0 to 6.0, and a temperature of 24 to 28 C. Keep the tank shaded with floating plants, leaf litter, and a tight lid to hold humid air. Feed small live and frozen foods such as daphnia, artemia, and bloodworm. Best kept as a single pair in a quiet species tank.

In the wild

Betta brownorum is a tiny betta from peat swamp forests on Borneo. The water is extremely soft and acidic, often below pH 5, and deeply stained with tannins. It needs a dim, densely planted blackwater tank with leaf litter and driftwood. Bright light and hard water stress this delicate fish.

Good to know

Described by Witte and Schmidt in 1992, it belongs to the Betta coccina group of small red peat swamp fighters. It is a bubble nester, with the male building and guarding a nest under leaves or in cavities. Males show a deep red body with a green or blue side spot.

Did you know

Reaching only about 3 cm, Betta brownorum is one of the smallest bettas, and males flash a bright green spot on a wine red body.

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.

How big does a Brown's betta get?

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

Related species