Prima betta
Betta prima
Also known as Betta pallida
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F
- 23–27°C
- pH
- 5.0–7.0
- Adult size
- 2 in
- 5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 16 gal
- 60 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Osphronemidae
- Origin
- Native to southeastern Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and southern Vietnam, including Phu Quoc island, in forest swamps and streams.
Overview
A pair or small group does well in around 60 liters with a base of 60 cm and a tight lid. Keep water soft to medium and acidic to neutral, pH 5.0 to 7.0, at 23 to 27 C. Feed small live and frozen foods such as daphnia, artemia, and bloodworm. Peaceful and undemanding for a wild betta, so a good species tank choice for newer keepers.
In the wild
Betta prima is a small mouthbrooder from clear forest swamps and streams across the lower Mekong region. It occupies both still and gently flowing water with vegetation and leaf litter. The water is soft to medium and acidic to neutral. A shaded tank with wood, plants, and leaves suits it, and it adapts to a fairly wide range of conditions.
Good to know
Described by Kottelat in 1994, it is usually placed in the Betta pugnax complex, though some link it to the picta group. It is a paternal mouthbrooder, with the male holding eggs for roughly 7 to 12 days. It is one of the more adaptable wild mouthbrooders.
Did you know
Betta prima has one of the widest ranges of any wild betta, spanning four countries across the lower Mekong.
Common questions
What size tank does a Prima betta need?
A Prima betta needs at least 16 gal (60 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Prima betta need?
A Prima betta is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 5.0–7.0.
How big does a Prima betta get?
An adult Prima betta reaches about 2 in (5 cm).
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