TankBud

Scarlet betta

Betta coccina

FreshwaterFish

Scarlet betta (Betta coccina)
Parostoteles · CC BY-SA 3.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–86°F
22–30°C
pH
6.0–7.0
Adult size
1.6 in
4 cm
Minimum tank
11 gal
40 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Bubble nester
Rarity
Very rare
Family
Osphronemidae
Origin
Sumatra, Malay Peninsula

Overview

The scarlet betta is a small, deep-red wild betta with a shy nature. It is mostly peaceful and a step up from the easiest fish.

Did you know

The scarlet betta's species name, coccina, comes from the Latin for scarlet. It describes the deep wine-red of a fish in good condition.

Caring for the scarlet betta

Keep scarlet bettas as a single pair in a quiet species tank of at least 11 gal (40 L). Plant it well and add floating cover, driftwood and a dark substrate. Fit a tight lid, and lay down a thick layer of dried leaves to release tannins.

The scarlet betta is a delicate fish, and soft, acidic water matters for its health and color. Keep it at 72 to 86°F (22 to 30°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. Very soft, tea-colored water and subdued light bring out its best. Feed small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp and microworm.

It can be timid, so avoid boisterous or larger tank mates that will out-compete it. It is safest kept on its own or with tiny, calm companions.

Many males carry an iridescent green or blue spot on the side, sometimes called the coccina spot. The scarlet betta is a bubble nester, and the male builds a small nest, often under a leaf or in a cave. He guards the eggs and fry. Its exact breeding difficulty is not formally recorded.

Good to know

The scarlet betta is a member of the gourami family Osphronemidae. It lends its name to the coccina group of small, dark-red bettas.

In the wild

The scarlet betta lives in blackwater peat swamps and slow forest streams of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula. The water there is soft, acidic and deeply stained with tannins.

Common questions

What size tank does a scarlet betta need?

A scarlet betta needs at least 11 gal (40 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a scarlet betta need?

A scarlet betta is comfortable at 72–86°F (22–30°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.0.

What does a scarlet betta eat?

A scarlet betta eats small live and frozen foods, such as bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp and microworm.

How big does a scarlet betta get?

An adult scarlet betta reaches about 1.6 in (4 cm).

How can you tell a male scarlet betta from a female?

Males often carry an iridescent green or blue spot on the side, sometimes called the coccina spot.

How does a scarlet betta breed?

A scarlet betta is a bubble nester. The male builds a small nest, often under a leaf or in a cave, and guards the eggs and fry.

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