TankBud

Whiteseam betta

Betta albimarginata

Also known as Whiteseam fighter, Strawberry Betta

FreshwaterFish

Whiteseam betta (Betta albimarginata)
Imperial Tropicals · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–82°F
23–28°C
pH
4.0–6.5
Adult size
1.2 in
3 cm
Minimum tank
11 gal
40 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Medium
Rarity
Common
Family
Osphronemidae
Origin
Borneo (Sebuku River drainage, East Kalimantan, Indonesia)

Overview

The whiteseam betta is a small, mostly peaceful betta for a dim species tank. It needs a keeper with some experience.

Did you know

The whiteseam betta's species name, albimarginata, comes from the white edge that traces the fins of a fish in good color.

Caring for the whiteseam betta

Keep whiteseam bettas in a species tank of at least 11 gal (40 L), as a pair or a small group. A group can be one or two males with females. They are excellent jumpers, so fit a tight lid and leave a warm, humid air gap above the surface.

Use low lighting, a soft sandy substrate and a thick layer of botanicals and Indian almond leaves. Heavy planting and plenty of cover suit them best. Run gentle flow from a sponge filter.

Keep the pH at 4.0 to 6.5, with negligible carbonate hardness and very low GH. You will almost always need RO water to hold it there. Run the water at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C). The cooler end is fine and may help them live longer.

Whiteseam bettas are prone to obesity, so feed small portions and never overfeed. They are mostly peaceful and spend most of their time near the bottom, picking through leaf litter and cover. Even so, they are not a community fish, so keep them out of a general tank.

Warmer water brings out color and triggers spawning, and breeding is moderately difficult. The whiteseam betta is a paternal mouthbrooder, and the male holds the eggs and fry in his mouth for 10 to 21 days. He does not eat the whole time, then releases fully formed fry. A brood of about ten fry counts as a good result.

Good to know

The whiteseam betta is a small wild betta in the family Osphronemidae. Like other bettas, it has a labyrinth organ and breathes air from the surface. It is also sold as the whiteseam fighter or strawberry betta.

In the wild

Whiteseam bettas live in the Sebuku River drainage on Borneo, in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. These are soft, very acidic blackwater habitats, dim and stained dark with tannins from leaf litter on the bottom.

Common questions

What size tank does a whiteseam betta need?

A whiteseam betta needs at least 11 gal (40 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a whiteseam betta need?

A whiteseam betta is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 4.0–6.5.

How big does a whiteseam betta get?

An adult whiteseam betta reaches about 1.2 in (3 cm).

How does a whiteseam betta breed?

The whiteseam betta is a paternal mouthbrooder. The male holds the eggs and fry in his mouth for 10 to 21 days without eating, then releases fully formed fry. A brood of about ten is a good result.

Related species