TankBud

Livid betta

Betta livida

Also known as Selangor betta, Red Crimson Betta

FreshwaterFish

Livid betta (Betta livida)

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–81°F
23–27°C
pH
4.0–6.0
Adult size
1.4 in
3.6 cm
Minimum tank
11 gal
40 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Osphronemidae
Origin
Endemic to peat swamps and blackwater streams of northern Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia.

Overview

Keep a pair in about 40 liters with a base of 45 cm, very soft acidic water at pH 4.0 to 6.0, and 23 to 27 C. Provide floating plants, leaf litter, and a tight lid for humid air above the water. Feed small live and frozen foods rather than dried alone. Best kept as a single pair in a quiet species tank.

In the wild

Betta livida is a small red betta from peat swamp forests in Selangor. Its water is extremely soft and acidic, often around pH 4 to 5, and deeply tannin stained. It needs a dim, densely planted blackwater tank with leaf litter and driftwood. Like other peat swamp fish, it is sensitive to hard or bright conditions.

Good to know

Described by Ng and Kottelat in 1992, it belongs to the Betta coccina group of small red fighters. It is a bubble nester. Males show a red body with a green flank spot and dark fins edged in color.

Did you know

Its peat swamp home in Selangor has been heavily reduced by development, making wild Betta livida increasingly scarce.

Common questions

What size tank does a Livid betta need?

A Livid betta needs at least 11 gal (40 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Livid betta need?

A Livid betta is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 4.0–6.0.

How big does a Livid betta get?

An adult Livid betta reaches about 1.4 in (3.6 cm).

Related species