TankBud

Compuncta betta

Betta compuncta

Also known as Tattooed betta

FreshwaterFish

Compuncta betta (Betta compuncta)

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–81°F
22–27°C
pH
5.0–7.0
Adult size
3 in
7.5 cm
Minimum tank
20 gal
75 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Osphronemidae
Origin
Upper Mahakam drainage, East Kalimantan, Indonesia

Overview

The Compuncta betta is a medium-sized wild betta for a quiet, shaded tank with plenty of wood. It is a step up from the easiest fish.

Did you know

The Compuncta betta's name is Latin for pricked or tattooed. It was chosen for the neat row of dark, stitch-like marks along the body. They look as if someone had inked a pattern down each flank.

Caring for the Compuncta betta

Keep the Compuncta betta as a single pair or a very small group. Give it a quiet, well covered tank of at least 20 gal (75 L), with driftwood, dried leaves and dim lighting. Males shove each other, so add room and cover to break up sightlines. A tight lid is essential, because these fish jump.

Keep the water soft at 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C), with a pH of 5.0 to 7.0 and gentle flow. Botanicals that release tannins help keep the fish calm and colored up. Feed meaty foods, such as small live and frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and chopped prawn.

The Compuncta betta is mostly peaceful and holds the middle of the tank, among wood and shade. Choose tank mates carefully and stick to calm fish of a similar size. Avoid anything tiny enough to be eaten or fast enough to strip its food.

The Compuncta betta is a paternal mouthbrooder. After spawning, the male carries the fertilized eggs in his mouth for roughly two weeks, then releases free-swimming fry. Breeding is hard and needs a settled pair in stable, soft water.

Good to know

Betta compuncta is a labyrinth fish in the family Osphronemidae, described by Tan and Ng in 2006. It belongs to the unimaculata group, and it is also known as the tattooed betta.

In the wild

Betta compuncta lives in forest streams and swamps of the upper Mahakam drainage in East Kalimantan, Borneo. There, shaded water runs soft and mildly acidic over leaf litter and wood.

Common questions

What size tank does a Compuncta betta need?

A Compuncta betta needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Compuncta betta need?

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

What does a Compuncta betta eat?

A Compuncta betta eats meaty foods, such as small live and frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and chopped prawn.

How big does a Compuncta betta get?

An adult Compuncta betta reaches about 3 in (7.5 cm).

How does a Compuncta betta breed?

The Compuncta betta is a paternal mouthbrooder. The male carries the fertilized eggs in his mouth for roughly two weeks before releasing free-swimming fry. Breeding is hard and needs a settled pair.

Related species