TankBud

Miniopinna betta

Betta miniopinna

Also known as Small-finned fighter

FreshwaterFish

Miniopinna betta (Betta miniopinna)
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
1.1 in
2.8 cm
Minimum tank
11 gal
40 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
Bubble nester · Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Osphronemidae
Origin
Bintan Island, Riau, Indonesia

Overview

The Miniopinna betta is a dwarf fighting fish for a dim, planted species tank. It is best left to experienced keepers.

Did you know

The Miniopinna betta is among the smallest fighting fish, smaller than many tetras.

Caring for the Miniopinna betta

Keep Miniopinna bettas as a pair or a small group in a shaded, well planted tank of at least 11 gal (40 L). Add driftwood, dried leaves, dense planting and small caves, and keep the light dim. They stay in the middle and lower water among fine plants, roots and leaf litter.

Hold the water soft and acidic, with a pH of 4.0 to 6.0 and a temperature of 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C). Use reverse osmosis water to reach that softness.

Feed small live and frozen foods it can manage, such as baby brine shrimp, microworm, cyclops and daphnia. It is mostly peaceful and easily intimidated, so keep it in a species tank or with only tiny, gentle companions. Watch that nothing outcompetes it.

The Miniopinna betta is a bubble nester that spawns in caves or under leaves, so offer both. The male tends a small nest, often tucked in a cave, and guards the eggs and fry. Breeding is hard.

Good to know

Betta miniopinna is a labyrinth fish of the Betta coccina group, in the family Osphronemidae. Its name refers to its unusually small fins. It has been listed as critically endangered since the 1990s, and its single-island habitat is under heavy pressure.

In the wild

Betta miniopinna is found only in peat swamp forest and blackwater streams near Tanjung Bintan, on Bintan Island in Indonesia's Riau Archipelago. The water there is dark, very soft and acidic.

Common questions

What size tank does a Miniopinna betta need?

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

What temperature and pH does a Miniopinna betta need?

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

What does a Miniopinna betta eat?

A Miniopinna betta eats small live and frozen foods it can manage, such as baby brine shrimp, microworm, cyclops and daphnia.

How big does a Miniopinna betta get?

An adult Miniopinna betta reaches about 1.1 in (2.8 cm).

How does a Miniopinna betta breed?

The Miniopinna betta is a bubble nester. The male tends a small nest, often in a cave or under leaves, and guards the eggs and fry, though breeding is hard.

Related species