Prima betta

Betta prima

Also known as Betta prima

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
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Easy
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Common
Origin: Native to southeastern Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and southern Vietnam, including Phu Quoc island, in forest swamps and streams.
Family: Osphronemidae

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.