TankBud

Dennis Yong's betta

Betta dennisyongi

Also known as Dennisyongi betta, Jet red betta

FreshwaterFish

Dennis Yong's betta (Betta dennisyongi)

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–82°F
23–28°C
pH
4.5–6.5
Adult size
1.8 in
4.5 cm
Minimum tank
11 gal
40 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Osphronemidae
Origin
Northwestern Sumatra coastal lowlands, Indonesia

Overview

Dennis Yong's betta is a small, richly colored wild betta for a shaded blackwater setup. It is a step up from the easiest fish.

Did you know

Until 2013, Dennis Yong's betta was lumped in with the red Betta rubra. When the north Sumatran populations were finally studied, they proved to be a separate species.

Caring for the Dennis Yong's betta

Keep a single pair or a small group of Dennis Yong's bettas in a shaded, planted tank. Give them at least 11 gal (40 L), with driftwood, dried leaves and low light. Leaf litter both stains the water and gives the fry cover. A cover on the tank holds humid air over the surface for the labyrinth organ and stops jumps.

Hold soft, acidic water at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C) and a pH of 4.5 to 6.5, with gentle filtration. Feed small meaty foods, such as live and frozen daphnia, brine shrimp and bloodworm, plus micro pellets.

Dennis Yong's betta is mostly peaceful and occupies the middle water among wood and leaves. Males spar more in display than in earnest. It is easily overshadowed, so keep it in a species tank or with only small, gentle companions.

It is a paternal mouthbrooder, and the male holds the eggs and fry in his mouth for one to two weeks. Breeding is of medium difficulty, a touch easier than in most wild bettas.

Good to know

Betta dennisyongi is a member of the family Osphronemidae, described by Tan in 2013. It belongs to the rubra group. The name honors the Malaysian naturalist Dennis Yong, a keen student of labyrinth fishes. It is also sold as the jet red betta.

In the wild

Betta dennisyongi lives in shaded blackwater and swamp forest streams of northwestern Sumatra, in the Aceh region of Indonesia. The water there is soft, acidic and stained with tannins.

Common questions

What size tank does a Dennis Yong's betta need?

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

What temperature and pH does a Dennis Yong's betta need?

A Dennis Yong's betta is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 4.5–6.5.

What does a Dennis Yong's betta eat?

A Dennis Yong's betta eats small meaty foods, such as live and frozen daphnia, brine shrimp and bloodworm. It also takes micro pellets.

How big does a Dennis Yong's betta get?

An adult Dennis Yong's betta reaches about 1.8 in (4.5 cm).

How does a Dennis Yong's betta breed?

Dennis Yong's betta is a paternal mouthbrooder. The male holds the eggs and fry in his mouth for one to two weeks. Breeding is of medium difficulty, a touch easier than in most wild bettas.

Related species