Pulchra betta
Betta pulchra
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F
- 23–27°C
- pH
- 4.5–6.5
- Adult size
- 2.4 in
- 6 cm
- Minimum tank
- 20 gal
- 75 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Osphronemidae
- Origin
- Endemic to remnant blackwater habitats in former peat swamp forest of southwestern Johor, Peninsular Malaysia.
Overview
A pair needs about 75 liters with a base of 80 cm, soft acidic blackwater at pH 4.5 to 6.5, and 23 to 27 C. Keep a tight lid and plenty of cover. Feed small live and frozen foods such as daphnia, artemia, and bloodworm. Best kept in a species tank or with very peaceful blackwater fish.
In the wild
Betta pulchra survives in remnant blackwater ditches and canals in heavily altered parts of Johor. The water is soft, acidic, and tannin stained, with plants along the margins. It needs a shaded blackwater tank with wood, leaf litter, and a covered surface. Stable, mineral poor water keeps it healthy.
Good to know
Described by Tan and Tan in 1996, it belongs to the Betta pugnax complex and is a paternal mouthbrooder. The name pulchra means beautiful, a reference to the iridescent green scaling of males. Loss of peat swamp forest has reduced its range.
Did you know
The name pulchra means beautiful, earned by the bright green iridescent scales that cover displaying males.
Common questions
What size tank does a Pulchra betta need?
A Pulchra betta needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Pulchra betta need?
A Pulchra betta is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 4.5–6.5.
How big does a Pulchra betta get?
An adult Pulchra betta reaches about 2.4 in (6 cm).
Related species
2.4 in (6 cm)12 gal (45 L)68–82°F (20–28°C)Crescent betta
Betta imbellis
2.4 in (6 cm) · 12 gal (45 L)
2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Edith's betta
Betta edithae
2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2.4 in (6 cm)16 gal (60 L)70–77°F (21–25°C)Enisae betta
Betta enisae
2.4 in (6 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)
- 2.3 in (5.9 cm)21 gal (80 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Green throat mouthbrooder
Betta chloropharynx
2.3 in (5.9 cm) · 21 gal (80 L)
- 2.5 in (6.3 cm)21 gal (80 L)73–79°F (23–26°C)
Ferox betta
Betta ferox
2.5 in (6.3 cm) · 21 gal (80 L)
- 2.5 in (6.3 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Nuluhon betta
Betta nuluhon
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