TankBud

Ferox betta

Betta ferox

Also known as Fierce betta

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–79°F
23–26°C
pH
5.5–7.0
Adult size
2.5 in
6.3 cm
Minimum tank
21 gal
80 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Medium
Rarity
Very rare
Family
Osphronemidae
Origin
Songkhla and Phatthalung, southern Thailand

Overview

The Ferox betta is a mostly peaceful betta for a planted tank with some current. It is best with a little experience.

Did you know

The Ferox betta's name means fierce, but it refers to fighting fish behavior in general rather than anything special about this species.

Caring for the Ferox betta

Treat the Ferox betta as a pair fish, since keeping reports are scarce. Give a pair at least 21 gal (80 L) with sand, rounded stones, driftwood roots and plenty of plants for cover. Fit a filter that puts some flow down the length of the tank, and keep a tight lid on.

Aim for soft water at 73 to 79°F (23 to 26°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. Feed frozen and live foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia and small insects. Add dried food once they accept it.

Ferox bettas are mostly peaceful and stay in the middle of the tank. Add company only with care, since they will eat dwarf shrimp and fry-sized fish.

Males have a lance-shaped caudal fin. The male broods the eggs in his mouth, and breeding is a moderate challenge. Thai researchers who reared Ferox bettas in a hatchery timed the male's brooding at 11 days. He then released around 40 fry, each under 5 mm long.

Good to know

Betta ferox belongs to the Betta pugnax group of the family Osphronemidae. Schindler and Schmidt described it in 2006, in the same paper as Betta apollon. DNA work by Thai researchers suggests the two may be a single species, and the IUCN lists it as Data Deficient. It carries bars across the tail and a chin bar. Measured with the tail, it reaches about 8 cm. Aquarium Glaser in Germany sees it only as the odd wild-caught shipment, and no US retailer has listed it.

In the wild

The Ferox betta comes from Songkhla province in southern Thailand. The type series was taken from a small river near Boriphat waterfall outside Hat Yai. Hatchery stock has since come from a hill stream in neighboring Phatthalung. In the type habitat, the stream flowed at 0.4 meters per second over gravel and sand. The fish sat at the banks in slower water among roots and plants. The water had a pH of 5.8 to 6.3, a temperature of 23 to 24°C and very low conductivity.

Common questions

What size tank does a Ferox betta need?

A Ferox betta needs at least 21 gal (80 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Ferox betta need?

A Ferox betta is comfortable at 73–79°F (23–26°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.

What does a Ferox betta eat?

A Ferox betta eats frozen and live foods, such as bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia and small insects. You can add dried food once it is accepted.

How big does a Ferox betta get?

An adult Ferox betta reaches about 2.5 in (6.3 cm).

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

Males have a lance-shaped caudal fin.

How does a Ferox betta breed?

The Ferox betta is a mouthbrooder, and the male carries the eggs. In a Thai hatchery, the male brooded for 11 days and then released around 40 fry under 5 mm long. Breeding it is a moderate challenge.

Related species