TankBud

Pardalotos betta

Betta pardalotos

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–81°F
22–27°C
pH
4.0–6.5
Adult size
2.8 in
7.2 cm
Minimum tank
21 gal
80 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Own kind
One male per tank
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Medium
Rarity
Very rare
Family
Osphronemidae
Origin
Lower Musi basin near Palembang, South Sumatra

Overview

The Pardalotos betta is a calm wild betta that suits a quiet, well-covered tank. It is a sensible next step for a keeper with some experience.

Did you know

Pardalotos bettas shipped from around Palembang in 2006 were first taken for Betta chloropharynx from Bangka. Once they settled in, they showed their own throat and gill cover pattern, and the species description later separated them.

Caring for the Pardalotos betta

Keep Pardalotos bettas as a pair or a small group in a tank of at least 21 gal (80 L). Give them a base of about 80 by 30 cm and a tight lid. Aquarium fish are reported at up to 9 cm, above the 7.2 cm of the type series, so plan for that size. Add dim light, leaf litter, botanicals and dense cover.

Give them soft, acidic water at 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C), with a pH of 4.0 to 6.5. They take dried food. They should also get live or frozen daphnia, brine shrimp, bloodworms and small insects such as crickets or fruit flies.

Pardalotos bettas are calm, but keep only one male per tank at this size. Some small, peaceful cyprinids and loaches from similar water can share the tank. Dwarf shrimp will be eaten.

The male is a mouthbrooder and broods the eggs for 10 to 28 days, one of the longest incubations in the genus. The fry take microworms and brine shrimp nauplii from release. Breeding is moderately difficult.

Good to know

Betta pardalotos is in the Betta waseri group of the family Osphronemidae. Heok Hui Tan described it in 2009 and named it for the leopard-like rows of black dots along the edge of the gill cover. Two round white patches on a black throat and black bars across the dorsal and tail fin membranes mark it out from its relatives. The IUCN lists it as Critically Endangered.

In the wild

The Pardalotos betta is known from the Gelam River and other small channels draining into the lower Musi River near Palembang, in South Sumatra. It lives there alongside Belontia hasseltii, Betta edithae, Luciocephalus pulcher and the three spot gourami.

Common questions

What size tank does a Pardalotos betta need?

A Pardalotos betta needs at least 21 gal (80 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Pardalotos betta need?

A Pardalotos betta is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 4.0–6.5.

What does a Pardalotos betta eat?

A Pardalotos betta takes dried food. It should also get live or frozen daphnia, brine shrimp, bloodworms and small insects such as crickets or fruit flies.

How big does a Pardalotos betta get?

An adult Pardalotos betta reaches about 2.8 in (7.2 cm).

How does a Pardalotos betta breed?

Pardalotos betta males are mouthbrooders and brood the eggs for 10 to 28 days, one of the longest incubations in the genus. The fry take microworms and brine shrimp nauplii from release. Breeding is moderately difficult.

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