TankBud

Enisae betta

Betta enisae

Also known as Blue Band Betta

FreshwaterFish

Enisae betta (Betta enisae)
Jos Koster · CC BY 3.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
70–77°F
21–25°C
pH
5.5–7.0
Adult size
2.4 in
6 cm
Minimum tank
16 gal
60 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Osphronemidae
Origin
Native to the Kapuas River basin of West Kalimantan, Borneo, in cool, flowing forest streams and swamp pools.

Overview

The Enisae betta is a small, mostly peaceful betta for a shaded, well-planted tank. It is best kept by someone with a little experience.

Did you know

The Enisae betta prefers noticeably cooler water than most tropical fish, a match for the forest streams it comes from.

Caring for the Enisae betta

A pair of Enisae bettas does well in at least 16 gal (60 L), with a base of at least 45 cm. Give them a shaded tank with wood, plants and leaf litter, plus plenty of cover. Keep a secure lid on the tank.

Keep the water soft to medium, at 70 to 77°F (21 to 25°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.0, with gentle flow. Feed small live and frozen foods such as daphnia, artemia and bloodworm.

Enisae bettas are mostly peaceful and swim in the middle of the tank. Keep the pair on its own or with calm fish of a similar size from cooler streams.

Males show fine iridescent markings on the head and gill cover. Enisae bettas are paternal mouthbrooders, with the male holding the eggs in his mouth. Breeding them is moderately difficult.

Good to know

The Enisae betta was described by Kottelat in 1995 and belongs to the family Osphronemidae. It is usually placed in the Betta pugnax complex, though some workers link it to the picta group. It is also sold as the blue band betta.

In the wild

Enisae bettas live in cool, flowing forest streams and swamp pools of the Kapuas River basin in West Kalimantan, Borneo. The water there is soft and slightly acidic to neutral, with plenty of cover.

Common questions

What size tank does an Enisae betta need?

An Enisae betta needs at least 16 gal (60 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does an Enisae betta need?

An Enisae betta is comfortable at 70–77°F (21–25°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.

What does an Enisae betta eat?

An Enisae betta eats small live and frozen foods, such as daphnia, artemia and bloodworm.

How big does an Enisae betta get?

An adult Enisae betta reaches about 2.4 in (6 cm).

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

Males show fine iridescent markings on the head and gill cover.

How does an Enisae betta breed?

The Enisae betta is a paternal mouthbrooder, so the male carries the eggs in his mouth. Breeding it is moderately difficult.

Related species