Raja Betta

Care at a glance

Overview

More peaceful than the common betta but still best kept on its own or as a single bonded pair, since it does not want company of its own kind crowded in. It uses the middle of the water in a quiet, well-planted tank of around 100 liters. Keep it warm, low to high 20s C, with soft acidic water from about pH 5 to 7. Feed small meaty foods like frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, and quality pellets. Keep it with calm, small tankmates or none at all.

In the wild

The raja betta lives in peat swamps and slow blackwater streams in Sumatra, where the water is very soft, acidic, and stained dark by tannins. Match that closely, with soft acidic water, dim light, and leaf litter or botanicals to release tannins. Dense planting and cover help this shy fish settle in.

Good to know

This is a mouthbrooding member of the Osphronemidae, part of the Betta pugnax group rather than the showy split-fin bettas. It grows to about 7 cm and is a labyrinth fish that breathes air from the surface. The male incubates the eggs in his mouth until the fry are released. Its swamp habitat is under pressure from deforestation.

Did you know

Unlike the bubble-nesting betta most people know, the raja betta is a paternal mouthbrooder. After spawning the male holds the eggs in his mouth for a couple of weeks, not eating, until he spits out fully formed fry.

Related species

• 

  Pugnax Betta

  Betta pugnax

  2.8 in (7 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
• Balunga Betta

  Betta balunga

  2 in (5 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)

• 

  Betta

  Betta splendens

  3 in (7.5 cm)7 gal (25 L)72–86°F (22–30°C)

• 

  Chukai Betta

  Betta tussyae

  1.6 in (4 cm)11 gal (40 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)

• 

  Horseshoe betta

  Betta hipposideros

  3.1 in (8 cm)24 gal (90 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
• Akar Betta

  Betta akarensis

  3.1 in (8 cm)20 gal (75 L)70–81°F (21–27°C)