TankBud

Ibanorum betta

Betta ibanorum

Also known as Iban fightingfish

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–82°F
24–28°C
pH
4.0–7.0
Adult size
3.2 in
8.1 cm
Minimum tank
21 gal
80 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Own kind
One male per tank
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Medium
Rarity
Very rare
Family
Osphronemidae
Origin
Kuching area and Bako National Park, southern Sarawak, Borneo

Overview

Calm for a betta and fine in a pair or a group in a large planted tank with cover, though keep one male per tank at this size. It uses the middle of the water in soft acidic water from pH 4 to 7 at 24 to 28 C. It takes dried foods but does best with regular live or frozen Daphnia, brine shrimp and bloodworm. Tank mates should be small and peaceful, and dwarf shrimp and fry will be eaten.

In the wild

The Ibanorum betta lives in blackwater peat swamp streams and clear forest streams around Kuching and Bako National Park in southern Sarawak, and turns up in roadside ditches and waterfall pools too, always under shade with heavy plant growth along the banks. Give it soft, acidic, tannin stained water, dim light, leaf litter, wood and dense planting. A pair or small group needs a base of about 80 by 30 cm, roughly 80 liters, with a tight lid.

Good to know

Betta ibanorum is a paternal mouthbrooder in the Betta akarensis group of the family Osphronemidae, and the largest of that group with a maximum known size of 8.1 cm standard length. Tan and Ng described it in 2004 and named it for the Iban people of Sarawak. Adult males carry a green to blue sheen on the rear half of each scale and have a yellow eye. The IUCN lists it as Vulnerable, with the loss of peat swamp forest the main threat.

Did you know

For decades this fish sat in books and shops under the wrong names, listed as Betta akarensis or Betta climacura, until the 2004 description sorted it out. The male broods for 14 to 21 days and can hold up to 60 fry, which are big enough to take brine shrimp nauplii straight away.

Common questions

What size tank does an Ibanorum betta need?

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

What temperature and pH does an Ibanorum betta need?

An Ibanorum betta is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 4.0–7.0.

How big does an Ibanorum betta get?

An adult Ibanorum betta reaches about 3.2 in (8.1 cm).

Related species