Krataios betta

Betta krataios

Also known as Mighty betta, Blue damsel betta

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 73–82°F (23–28°C)
pH: 4.5–6.5
Adult size: 2.2 in (5.5 cm)
Minimum tank: 14 gal (54 L)
Temperament: Mostly peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Tankmates: Tankmates with caution
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: Hard
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Kapuas basin, West Kalimantan, Indonesia
Family: Osphronemidae

Overview

The krataios betta is a sturdy little mouthbrooder kept as a single pair or a small group in a covered tank of about 54 liters with plenty of cover. It swims in the middle water among wood and roots and is mostly peaceful, with rivalry between males shown more in shoving than in damage. Keep it in a species tank or with small, calm fish only, avoiding anything nippy or pushy. It feeds easily for a wild betta, taking live and frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia, and small insect larvae. A close-fitting lid is important, as it will jump through any opening.

In the wild

Betta krataios lives in blackwater streams of the Kapuas basin in West Kalimantan, Borneo, soft, acidic, and darkened by leaf litter. Recreate that with driftwood, dried leaves, dim light, and gentle filtration. Keep the pH between 4.5 and 6.5 and the water warm, from 23 to 28 degrees Celsius. A layer of botanicals on the floor keeps the water tinted and the fish at ease.

Good to know

Betta krataios belongs to the family Osphronemidae and was described by Tan and Ng in 2006. It reaches about 5.5 centimeters and is a paternal mouthbrooder of the dimidiata group, marked by an iridescent blue gill cover. The male incubates eggs in his mouth for around two weeks, and breeding is hard, needing a settled pair in stable, soft water. Its name is Greek for strong.

Did you know

Its name, krataios, is the Greek word for mighty or strong, given for a stocky, robust build that stands out among the slimmer members of its dimidiata species group.