Spotted betta

Care at a glance

Overview

A pair or small group settles into a tank of around 60 liters with a base of 60 cm and a tight cover. Keep water soft to medium and slightly acidic, pH 5.5 to 7.5, at 22 to 27 C. Feed small live and frozen foods such as daphnia, artemia, and bloodworm. Peaceful and shy, so house it in a species tank or with small, calm companions.

In the wild

Betta picta comes from clear, flowing hill streams on Java, sheltering in still edges and pools among leaves and stones. The water is soft and mildly acidic to neutral. A shaded tank with roots, leaf litter, and plants recreates its habitat. It is a hardy, adaptable species that copes with a range of conditions.

Good to know

Described by Valenciennes in 1846, it is the namesake of the Betta picta complex and a paternal mouthbrooder. Males brood eggs in the mouth for about 9 to 12 days. Historically it was one of the first mouthbrooding bettas widely kept and studied by hobbyists.

Did you know

Betta picta was among the earliest mouthbrooding bettas to become established in the hobby, long before many of its rarer relatives were described.

Related species

• 

  Falx betta

  Betta falx

  2 in (5 cm)16 gal (60 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)

• 

  Stigmosa betta

  Betta stigmosa

  2 in (5 cm)16 gal (60 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
• Foersch's betta

  Betta foerschi

  2 in (5 cm)16 gal (60 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
• Prima betta

  Betta prima

  2 in (5 cm)16 gal (60 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
• Stiktos betta

  Betta stiktos

  2 in (5 cm)11 gal (40 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)

• 

  Apollon betta

  Betta apollon

  2.2 in (5.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)