One-spot betta
Betta unimaculata
Also known as Howong betta, Gold Dragon Betta
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 70–79°F
- 21–26°C
- pH
- 5.5–7.5
- Adult size
- 4.5 in
- 11.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 29 gal
- 110 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Mouthbrooder · Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Osphronemidae
- Origin
- Native to the Kajan and Howong river drainages of East Kalimantan, Borneo, in clear forest streams and elevated pools.
Overview
The one-spot betta is a large, active betta for a roomy, tightly covered tank. It is best with a little experience.
Did you know
The one-spot betta is one of the largest mouthbrooding bettas. Males in good condition glow metallic gold and blue.
Caring for the one-spot betta
Give a pair of one-spot bettas a tank of at least 29 gal (110 L), with a base of 80 cm or more. They need room to swim and a heavily covered surface. Fit a very tight lid, as they are strong jumpers.
Keep the water soft to medium and slightly acidic to neutral, at a pH of 5.5 to 7.5. A cool 70 to 79°F (21 to 26°C) matches its highland stream origins. Feed meaty live and frozen foods.
One-spot bettas are mostly peaceful, but expect them to eat very small tank mates. Keep them on their own or with robust, similar-sized fish from the same region.
Males are paternal mouthbrooders that hold the eggs and fry for 10 to 14 days. Breeding one-spot bettas is of medium difficulty.
Good to know
The one-spot betta, Betta unimaculata, was described from a specimen collected by Popta in 1905. It belongs to the Betta unimaculata complex of large mouthbrooders, in the family Osphronemidae. It also goes by the names Howong betta and gold dragon betta.
In the wild
Betta unimaculata lives in clear, flowing forest streams and standing pools in the Kajan and Howong river drainages of East Kalimantan, on Borneo. These waters hold leaf litter and submerged wood.
Common questions
What size tank does a one-spot betta need?
A one-spot betta needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a one-spot betta need?
A one-spot betta is comfortable at 70–79°F (21–26°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.5.
What does a one-spot betta eat?
A one-spot betta eats meaty live and frozen foods. It will also eat very small tank mates.
How big does a one-spot betta get?
An adult one-spot betta reaches about 4.5 in (11.5 cm).
How does a one-spot betta breed?
Male one-spot bettas are paternal mouthbrooders, holding the eggs and fry for 10 to 14 days. Breeding them is of medium difficulty.
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