Krabi mouthbrooder

Care at a glance

Overview

A pair or small group is comfortable in a tank of about 60 liters with a base of at least 60 cm and a secure lid. Keep the water neutral to slightly alkaline, pH 7.0 to 8.0, and moderately hard at 23 to 28 C. Offer small live and frozen foods like bloodworm, brine shrimp, and daphnia. Peaceful for the genus but best in a species tank or with calm, similar sized fish.

In the wild

Betta simplex is unusual among wild bettas in coming from clear limestone waters rather than acidic blackwater. Its home pools and ditches are rich in dissolved minerals with a pH around 7.0 to 7.4 and dense marginal plants. A tank with rock, roots, and plenty of cover mimics this well. Moderately hard water suits it, so it does not need the soft acidic setup most of its relatives require.

Good to know

Described by Kottelat in 1994, it sits in the Betta picta complex and is a paternal mouthbrooder. Males incubate the eggs in the mouth for roughly 9 to 16 days. It is named simplex for its relatively plain markings compared with close relatives.

Did you know

It is one of the few bettas that prefers hard, alkaline water, a trait tied to the limestone springs of Krabi where it lives.

Related species

• 

  Crescent betta

  Betta imbellis

  2.4 in (6 cm)12 gal (45 L)68–82°F (20–28°C)

• 

  Edith's betta

  Betta edithae

  2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)

• 

  Enisae betta

  Betta enisae

  2.4 in (6 cm)16 gal (60 L)70–77°F (21–25°C)

• 

  Mahachai betta

  Betta mahachaiensis

  2.4 in (6 cm)10 gal (38 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)

• 

  Apollon betta

  Betta apollon

  2.2 in (5.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)

• 

  Spotted betta

  Betta picta

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