TankBud

Eastern siam betta

Betta siamorientalis

Also known as Vietnamese smaragdina, Kabinburi betta

FreshwaterFish

Eastern siam betta (Betta siamorientalis)

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
1.8 in
4.5 cm
Minimum tank
11 gal
40 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Bubble nester · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Osphronemidae
Origin
Eastern Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam lowlands

Overview

The eastern siam betta is a small wild relative of the domestic Siamese fighter. It is best with a little experience.

Did you know

The eastern siam betta is the wild emerald fighter of the lower Mekong region. Local people long knew it, but science only separated it from the closely similar Betta smaragdina and named it in 2012.

Caring for the eastern siam betta

Keep the eastern siam betta much like the domestic Siamese fighter. A single fish needs a planted tank of at least 11 gal (40 L). Add floating cover and dried leaves, and use gentle filtration.

Hold the temperature at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C) and the pH at 6.0 to 7.5. Feed small live and frozen foods, such as insect larvae, brine shrimp and daphnia, with the occasional micro pellet.

It holds in the middle and upper water near floating cover. Two males will fight, so never house them together. Pick calm tank mates or keep it alone, since fin-nippers and boisterous fish stress it.

Keep a male and female together only for breeding. Unlike the mouthbrooding wild bettas, it builds a bubble nest, and floating plants give the male an anchor for it. He tends the raft of bubbles at the surface and guards the eggs and fry. Breeding is of medium difficulty.

Good to know

Betta siamorientalis belongs to the family Osphronemidae and to the smaragdina complex of wild fighters. Its name means eastern Siam, for its range east of the old heart of Thailand. It is also sold as the Vietnamese smaragdina or the Kabinburi betta.

In the wild

Betta siamorientalis lives across eastern Thailand and neighboring Cambodia and Vietnam. It lives in still and slow lowland waters, such as paddies, ditches and marsh pools. The water is warm and near neutral, rather than the acid blackwater many wild bettas need.

Common questions

What size tank does an eastern siam betta need?

An eastern siam betta needs at least 11 gal (40 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does an eastern siam betta need?

An eastern siam betta is comfortable at 72–82°F (22–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does an eastern siam betta eat?

An eastern siam betta eats small live and frozen foods, such as insect larvae, brine shrimp and daphnia. Add the occasional micro pellet.

How big does an eastern siam betta get?

An adult eastern siam betta reaches about 1.8 in (4.5 cm).

How does an eastern siam betta breed?

The eastern siam betta is a bubble nester. The male tends a raft of bubbles at the surface and guards the eggs and fry, and breeding is of medium difficulty.

Related species