TankBud

Mandor betta

Betta mandor

Also known as Mandor fighter, Ninja betta

FreshwaterFish

Mandor betta (Betta mandor)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–81°F
22–27°C
pH
4.0–6.0
Adult size
2.6 in
6.5 cm
Minimum tank
14 gal
54 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Osphronemidae
Origin
Mandor reserve blackwaters, West Kalimantan, Indonesia

Overview

The Mandor betta is a mostly peaceful mouthbrooder for a covered blackwater species tank. It needs an experienced keeper.

Did you know

The Mandor betta takes its name from the Mandor Nature Reserve in West Kalimantan, a patch of protected peat swamp. The fish carries the name of the small refuge that shelters it.

Caring for the Mandor betta

Keep Mandor bettas as a single pair or a small group in a covered species tank of at least 14 gal (54 L). Give them heavy cover, driftwood, thick leaf litter, dim light and slow flow. It jumps, so be strict about keeping the lid on.

This species wants notably acidic water, with a pH of 4.0 to 6.0 and a temperature of 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C). Reverse osmosis water and a bed of botanicals help reach and hold that acidity.

Feed meaty live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp and small insect larvae. The Mandor betta is mostly peaceful, though males posture at one another. Keep any company small and calm, or keep none at all. It is a hunter and will take fish or shrimp small enough to fit its mouth.

The Mandor betta is a paternal mouthbrooder, and the male broods the eggs in his mouth for roughly two weeks. Breeding is hard in the very soft, acidic water it demands.

Good to know

Betta mandor is a labyrinth fish in the family Osphronemidae, described by Tan and Ng in 2006. It belongs to the foerschi group and is recognized by twin red bars on the gill cover and a slender body.

In the wild

Betta mandor lives in deep peat blackwater in West Kalimantan, Borneo. The water there is very soft and strongly acidic.

Common questions

What size tank does a Mandor betta need?

A Mandor betta needs at least 14 gal (54 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Mandor betta need?

A Mandor betta is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 4.0–6.0.

What does a Mandor betta eat?

A Mandor betta eats meaty live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp and small insect larvae. It is a hunter and will take fish or shrimp small enough to fit its mouth.

How big does a Mandor betta get?

An adult Mandor betta reaches about 2.6 in (6.5 cm).

How does a Mandor betta breed?

The Mandor betta is a paternal mouthbrooder, with the male brooding the eggs in his mouth for roughly two weeks. Breeding is hard in the very soft, acidic water it needs.

Related species