TankBud

Dimidiata betta

Betta dimidiata

Also known as Blue Firefly Betta

FreshwaterFish

Dimidiata betta (Betta dimidiata)
R.J. Blach · CC BY-SA 3.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–81°F
22–27°C
pH
5.5–6.5
Adult size
1.6 in
4 cm
Minimum tank
12 gal
45 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Osphronemidae
Origin
Endemic to the upper Kapuas drainage and Danau Sentarum lakes of West Kalimantan, Borneo, in shaded forest swamp streams.

Overview

The Dimidiata betta is a small, slender, mostly peaceful betta for a dim, covered tank. It is best with a little experience.

Did you know

The Dimidiata betta's species name refers to its halved or divided color pattern.

Caring for the Dimidiata betta

A pair of Dimidiata bettas fits in at least 12 gal (45 L), with a base of 45 cm. Keep the tank dim, with plenty of cover, gentle flow and a tight lid.

Give them soft, acidic water at 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Feed small live and frozen foods, and avoid overfeeding, since this species tends to gain weight easily.

The Dimidiata betta is mostly peaceful and keeps to the middle of the tank. It is best kept alone or with small, calm companions.

Males develop long, flowing fins and bold barring, which is unusual for such a small mouthbrooding betta. They become brightly colored once settled in. The species is a paternal mouthbrooder, so the male broods the eggs in his mouth, and breeding is of medium difficulty.

Good to know

Betta dimidiata belongs to the family Osphronemidae and was described by Roberts in 1989. It heads the Betta dimidiata group, whose members share an elongate body and dark vertical bars. It is also sold as the blue firefly betta.

In the wild

Betta dimidiata is endemic to the upper Kapuas drainage and the Danau Sentarum lakes of West Kalimantan, Borneo. It lives in shaded swamp streams and pools, where the water is soft and acidic, with abundant leaf litter and wood.

Common questions

What size tank does a Dimidiata betta need?

A Dimidiata betta needs at least 12 gal (45 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Dimidiata betta need?

A Dimidiata betta is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 5.5–6.5.

What does a Dimidiata betta eat?

A Dimidiata betta eats small live and frozen foods. Avoid overfeeding, since it tends to gain weight easily.

How big does a Dimidiata betta get?

An adult Dimidiata betta reaches about 1.6 in (4 cm).

How can you tell a male Dimidiata betta from a female?

Males develop long, flowing fins and bold barring. They also become brightly colored once settled in.

How does a Dimidiata betta breed?

The Dimidiata betta is a paternal mouthbrooder, so the male broods the eggs in his mouth. Breeding it is of medium difficulty.

Related species