Hendra betta

Betta hendra

Also known as Betta hendra

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 73–81°F (23–27°C)
pH: 4.5–6.5
Adult size: 1.8 in (4.5 cm)
Minimum tank: 11 gal (40 L)
Temperament: Mostly peaceful
Social behavior: Solitary
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Difficult
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Very rare
Origin: Restricted to the Sabangau peat swamp forest of Central Kalimantan, Borneo, in acidic blackwater with thick marginal plants.
Family: Osphronemidae

Overview

Keep a pair or small group in a tank of around 40 liters with a base of 45 cm, soft acidic water at pH 4.5 to 6.5, and 23 to 27 C. Provide plenty of cover, floating plants, and a tight lid. Offer small live and frozen foods rather than relying on dried alone. Best kept in a dedicated species tank, not a community.

In the wild

Betta hendra is known only from the Sabangau blackwater system in Central Kalimantan. The water is soft, acidic, and very low in minerals, shaded by dense vegetation. A small blackwater tank with leaf litter, driftwood, and floating cover recreates its home. Stable, warm, tannin rich water keeps it healthy.

Good to know

Described by Schindler and Linke in 2013, it is a recently recognized member of the Betta coccina group. It is a bubble nester, with the male tending eggs and fry in a nest. Males are greenish rather than red, showing bright iridescent green on the flanks and unpaired fins, which sets them apart from the otherwise red-bodied coccina group.