TankBud

Foersch's betta

Betta foerschi

Also known as Foerschi's Ninja Betta

FreshwaterFish

Foersch's betta (Betta foerschi)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–81°F
23–27°C
pH
4.5–6.5
Adult size
2 in
5 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 · Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Osphronemidae
Origin
Native to forest swamp streams and pools in Central and Western Kalimantan, Borneo, in shaded, acidic, leaf strewn water.

Overview

Foersch's betta is a small, mostly peaceful betta for a shaded blackwater tank. It suits a keeper with some experience.

Did you know

During spawning, the female Foersch's betta catches the eggs on her anal fin and presents them to the male. He then takes them into his mouth to brood.

Caring for the Foersch's betta

A single pair of Foersch's bettas needs at least 16 gal (60 L), with a base of 60 cm. Set up a dim blackwater tank with almond leaves, driftwood and plenty of cover, so the fish feel secure. Fit a tight lid.

Give them soft, acidic blackwater at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 4.5 to 6.5. Stable, mineral-poor water is important for this species. Feed small live and frozen foods such as daphnia, artemia and bloodworm.

Foersch's bettas are mostly peaceful and keep to the middle of the tank. House the pair alone or with very peaceful blackwater species.

They are paternal mouthbrooders, and incubation takes around two weeks. Breeding them is hard.

Good to know

Foersch's betta was described by Vierke in 1979 and belongs to the family Osphronemidae. It heads the Betta foerschi group, which is recognized by iridescent blue and green fins and reddish bars on the gill cover.

In the wild

Foersch's betta lives in shallow, shaded forest swamp streams and pools in Central and Western Kalimantan, Borneo. The water is soft, very acidic and stained brown by tannins. Fallen leaves and submerged wood cover the bottom.

Common questions

What size tank does a Foersch's betta need?

A Foersch's betta needs at least 16 gal (60 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Foersch's betta need?

A Foersch's betta is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 4.5–6.5.

What does a Foersch's betta eat?

A Foersch's betta eats small live and frozen foods, such as daphnia, artemia and bloodworm.

How big does a Foersch's betta get?

An adult Foersch's betta reaches about 2 in (5 cm).

How does a Foersch's betta breed?

Foersch's bettas are paternal mouthbrooders, so the male holds the eggs in his mouth. Incubation takes around two weeks, and breeding them is hard.

Related species