TankBud

Toba betta

Betta rubra

Also known as Red Flame Betta

FreshwaterFish

Toba betta (Betta rubra)
(c) Lek Khauv, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Lek Khauv · cc-by

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–81°F
22–27°C
pH
6.0–7.5
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
Mouthbrooder
Rarity
Very rare
Family
Osphronemidae
Origin
Sumatra

Overview

The Toba betta is a small, deep-colored mouthbrooding betta for a quiet, dimly lit tank. It is best kept by someone with a little experience.

Did you know

Some fish sold as the Toba betta turned out to be a separate, almost identical species, Betta dennisyongi. Researchers found the difference in 2013.

Caring for the Toba betta

Keep Toba bettas as a single pair in a quiet species tank of at least 11 gal (40 L). Plant it well, keep the light dim and fit a tight lid. Driftwood, floating plants, a dark substrate and a generous layer of dried leaves give the pair cover.

Give them soft water at 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Tannin-rich, gently filtered water and plenty of cover help this shy fish settle and color up. Feed small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp and microworm.

Toba bettas are generally peaceful but can be shy, and they stay in the middle water among plants, wood and leaf litter. Keep them away from boisterous or larger fish. They show best on their own or with very small, calm companions.

The Toba betta is a paternal mouthbrooder. After a careful courtship, the male gathers the eggs and incubates them in his mouth for around ten days to two weeks. He then releases free-swimming fry. Breeding has no formal difficulty rating, but success depends on very soft, acidic water and a settled, compatible pair.

Good to know

The Toba betta is a member of the gourami family Osphronemidae and belongs to the Betta rubra group of small wild bettas. Its species name, rubra, means red, for the deep orange-red the males flush when they display.

In the wild

Betta rubra comes from northern Sumatra. It lives in soft, acidic forest streams and peat swamps, shaded by dense growth and stained brown with tannins.

Common questions

What size tank does a Toba betta need?

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

What temperature and pH does a Toba betta need?

A Toba betta is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a Toba betta eat?

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

How big does a Toba betta get?

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

How does a Toba betta breed?

The Toba betta is a paternal mouthbrooder. The male holds the eggs in his mouth for around ten days to two weeks, then releases free-swimming fry. Success depends on very soft, acidic water and a settled, compatible pair.

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