Pulchra betta

Betta pulchra

Also known as 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
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Endemic to remnant blackwater habitats in former peat swamp forest of southwestern Johor, Peninsular Malaysia.
Family: Osphronemidae

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.