Eyespot betta
Betta ocellata
Also known as Ocellated betta, Blue Dragon Betta
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 70–77°F
- 21–25°C
- pH
- 5.5–7.5
- Adult size
- 3.5 in
- 9 cm
- Minimum tank
- 24 gal
- 90 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Osphronemidae
- Origin
- Native to Sabah and the northern tip of East Kalimantan on Borneo, in varied streams, pools, and ox bow lakes.
Overview
Adults reach around 9 cm, so give a pair at least 90 liters with a base of 80 cm and a very tight lid. Keep water soft to medium and slightly acidic to neutral, pH 5.5 to 7.5, at a cool 21 to 25 C. Feed meaty live and frozen foods and expect it to eat small tankmates. Best kept alone or with robust, similar sized fish.
In the wild
Betta ocellata is a large mouthbrooder found across a range of habitats in northern Borneo, from clear streams to quiet ponds. The water is generally soft to medium and slightly acidic to neutral. It is an adaptable but predatory fish that needs room and a covered surface. Cooler water around 21 to 25 C suits its stream origins.
Good to know
Described by de Beaufort in 1933, it belongs to the Betta unimaculata complex of large mouthbrooders. It is a paternal mouthbrooder. The name ocellata refers to an eye like spot, an ocellus, on the body.
Did you know
The name ocellata refers to the eye shaped spot on its body, a marking shared with several large Bornean mouthbrooders.
Common questions
What size tank does an Eyespot betta need?
An Eyespot betta needs at least 24 gal (90 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does an Eyespot betta need?
An Eyespot betta is comfortable at 70–77°F (21–25°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.5.
How big does an Eyespot betta get?
An adult Eyespot betta reaches about 3.5 in (9 cm).
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