TankBud

Renata betta

Betta renata

Also known as Reborn betta

FreshwaterFish

Renata betta (Betta renata)

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–81°F
23–27°C
pH
4.0–6.0
Adult size
3.7 in
9.5 cm
Minimum tank
20 gal
75 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Osphronemidae
Origin
Jambi and South Sumatra peat swamps, Indonesia

Overview

The Renata betta is a calm, deliberate wild betta that wants room and shade. It suits a keeper with a little experience.

Did you know

The Renata betta is among the largest of the wild mouthbrooding fighters. Its long, lean, pike-like body looks nothing like the short-bodied domestic Siamese fighter most people picture.

Caring for the Renata betta

Give a pair or a small group of Renata bettas a covered tank of at least 20 gal (75 L). Furnish it with driftwood, roots and thick leaf litter, and keep the light dim and the flow gentle. A tight lid stops them jumping.

Keep the water soft and acidic, with a pH of 4.0 to 6.0 and a temperature of 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C). Reverse osmosis water and a deep bed of leaves help hold the acidity steady. Dark water and a quiet room keep this big betta settled.

Feed meaty live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, small earthworms, prawn and insect larvae, and offer them without rush. It is mostly peaceful, but it will eat small fish. Keep its company calm and too large to swallow, or keep it alone.

Renata bettas are paternal mouthbrooders, and the male incubates the eggs in his mouth for around two weeks. Breeding is hard and needs a settled pair in very soft, acidic water.

Good to know

Betta renata is a labyrinth fish in the family Osphronemidae, described by Tan in 1998. Its name is Latin for reborn.

In the wild

The Renata betta lives in blackwater rivers and peat swamp forest in Jambi and South Sumatra, Indonesia. Its home water is soft and deeply acidic, with a dark tannin stain.

Common questions

What size tank does a Renata betta need?

A Renata betta needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Renata betta need?

A Renata betta is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 4.0–6.0.

What does a Renata betta eat?

A Renata betta eats meaty live and frozen foods, such as bloodworm, small earthworms, prawn and insect larvae. It will also eat small fish.

How big does a Renata betta get?

An adult Renata betta reaches about 3.7 in (9.5 cm).

How does a Renata betta breed?

A Renata betta is a paternal mouthbrooder, and the male incubates the eggs in his mouth for around two weeks. Breeding is hard and needs a settled pair in very soft, acidic water.

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