Dwarf mouthbrooder betta
Betta dimidiata
A nano wild betta from Borneo (Kapuas basin): one of the smallest bettas (3.5–5 cm), also called 'Firefly Betta' for its luminous reflections. Paternal mouthbrooder like cousin B. albimarginata. Requires extremely soft, acidic blackwater. Sensitive to stress and sudden changes — slow acclimation mandatory for wild-caught specimens. Dried leaves and tannins create the ideal habitat and provide microorganisms for fry. Lid with humid air essential for labyrinth.
Wassertemperatur
22 - 27 °C
pH-Wert
4.5 - 6.5
Wassertyp
Süßwasser
Tankfüllstand
Oberfläche und Mitte
Erwachsenengröße
5,5 cm
Mindesttankvolumen
>= 30 L
Mindestgruppe
>= 2
GH
1 - 5 dGH
KH
1 - 2 dKH
TDS
25 - 95 ppm
Leitfähigkeit
39 - 148 uS/cm
Artbeschreibung
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to the Kapuas river basin in West Kalimantan (Borneo). Inhabits shaded small forest streams and swamps, often associated with areas with slightly faster currents than other Bettas, but always among roots and leaf litter.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Betta dimidiata. "Wild" species with incredibly long fins. Dimidiata (from Latin for "halved") refers to its slender profile. Males present extreme thread-like extensions on the pelvic, anal and caudal fins.
Social Behavior: One of the most tolerant and gregarious wild Bettas. Can (and indeed should) be kept in a single-species group. Males develop complex hierarchies but interactions are almost always limited to ritual displays.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Males have an iridescent coloration from brown to brick red or purplish, with very evident turquoise/light blue iridescence. Their fins extend far beyond the body. Females are smaller, stockier, beige-brown and with short fins.
Pflege, Zucht und Mitbewohner
Aquarium Setup: Covered aquarium (min. 60 cm / 24 inches for a group). Natural "Blackwater" setup with fine sand, abundance of intertwined bog woods, catappa leaves and mosses. Tolerates a slightly higher water flow than strict swamp Bettas.
Diet and Feeding: Insectivorous carnivore. Feed with a menu of live and frozen foods such as brine shrimp, white bloodworms, daphnia. Will gradually accept protein-rich soft dry feeds, but live foods keep coloration high.
Water Quality: Soft water (GH less than 5) and tendentially acidic. Excellent tolerance to slightly cooler temperatures than other labyrinth fish (22-26°C / 71-79°F), but hates the presence of nitrates or pollutants.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Excellent in a dedicated group aquarium. Suitable for cohabitation with Loaches (e.g. Pangio) and peaceful Rasboras (Trigonostigma, Boraras) that do not compete aggressively for food and do not nip their long fins.
Aquarium Breeding: Mouthbrooder. Mating takes place near the bottom or mid-water; the male incubates the fertilized eggs for 10 to 16 days. Provide numerous hiding places for the male in this critical phase.
Risks and Diseases: Fin rot: due to their extremely extensive delicate fins, they are the first to show signs of tissue deterioration if the chemical or bacteriological quality of the water is not perfect.
Geografische Herkunft und Verbreitung
Endemic to the Kapuas river basin in West Kalimantan (Borneo). Inhabits shaded small forest streams and swamps, often associated with areas with slightly faster currents than other Bettas, but always among roots and leaf litter.
Ursprung
Süd- und Südostasien
Fischprofil
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- Betta dimidiata is a peaceful and somewhat shy species, displaying none of the extreme aggression found in domestic bettas. Males will engage in non-harmful gill-flaring and fin-spreading displays to establish hierarchy, but serious injuries are extremely rare. They are calm, slow-moving fish that prefer a quiet, dimly lit environment where they can feel secure. Because of their timid nature, they can easily become stressed if housed with highly active or aggressive tankmates.
- Diät
- Carnivore
- In their natural habitat, these micro-predators feed primarily on small insects, insect larvae, and other aquatic invertebrates. In the aquarium, they should be offered a variety of live and frozen foods such as daphnia, artemia, and bloodworms to maintain health and color. Although they can eventually adapt to high-quality dry foods, they may initially ignore flakes or pellets. Overfeeding must be carefully avoided, as wild bettas are highly prone to obesity and related digestive issues.
- Lebenserwartung
- 3-5 years
- Erwachsenengröße
- 5.5 cm
- Geschlechterverhältnis
- 1:1 ratio
- These bettas can be successfully kept in monogamous pairs or in small group settings. If kept in groups, a balanced ratio or a slightly higher number of females to males is recommended to distribute mild territorial behaviors. Unlike the aggressive Betta splendens, Betta dimidiata males are relatively peaceful toward one another, though minor dominance displays will occur. A tank size of at least 45x30 cm of base area is sufficient to establish territory for a single breeding pair or a small harem.
- Fütterungsfrequenz
- 2-3 times daily
- Betta dimidiata should ideally be fed small portions two to three times per day. This frequency mimics their natural foraging behavior and helps sustain their energy levels, especially during breeding cycles. Feeding small amounts multiple times also prevents water quality degradation from uneaten food. Fasting them for one day a week can be beneficial to support their digestive health and prevent issues like constipation or bloating.
- Bioload
- Low
- Betta dimidiata is a small species with a very low biological footprint, producing minimal waste. Due to their preference for sluggish, slow-moving waters, they are best kept with gentle air-powered sponge filters rather than strong power filters. Regular small water changes are essential to maintain high water quality, as they are sensitive to accumulating organic waste and nitrates. A heavily planted aquarium with botanical elements like leaf litter helps process biological waste while mimicking their natural blackwater habitat.
- Fluss
- Moderate
- This species exhibits a strong preference for weak or sluggish water currents, reflecting their natural forest stream and pool habitats. Strong, turbulent currents will exhaust these slender fish and cause chronic stress, which suppresses their immune system. An air-powered sponge filter is highly recommended, as it provides adequate biological filtration without creating disruptive surface movement. The use of dense plantings and driftwood can also help break up any localized water currents.
- Sprungrisiko
- Yes
- This species is an exceptional jumper, capable of leaping through even the smallest gaps in the aquarium cover. It is absolutely critical to secure the tank with a tight-fitting lid or cover glass to prevent escape and subsequent death. Additionally, keeping the water level slightly lowered creates a humid air pocket above the water surface, which is vital for the development of their labyrinth organ. The addition of floating plants can also help cover the surface and deter jumping behaviors.
- Reproduktion
- Mouthbrooder
- Betta dimidiata is a paternal mouthbrooder, which is a fascinating and relatively advanced reproductive strategy. During spawning, the couple performs a typical labyrinth embrace, after which the female collects the eggs and spits them toward the male, who carries them in his mouth. The male will incubate the eggs for 10 to 14 days, during which he does not eat and must not be stressed to prevent him from swallowing the brood. The resulting fry are large enough to accept microworms and artemia nauplii immediately after release.
- Kompatibilität & Tankkameraden
- Peaceful
- They are not suited for standard community aquariums and are best kept in a species-specific setup or with very peaceful, small companions. Appropriate tankmates include small, quiet cyprinids, miniature loaches, or peaceful catfish that share their soft, acidic water preferences. Avoid housing them with fast-moving, boisterous, or nippy species that would easily intimidate them and outcompete them for food. Keeping them in a dedicated tank allows them to display their full range of natural behaviors and facilitates successful breeding.
- Tankfüllstand
- Top/Middle
- Betta dimidiata is primarily a middle-to-top dweller in the aquarium. As an anabantoid, it possesses a labyrinth organ that requires it to regularly swim to the surface to breathe atmospheric air. They also utilize floating plants and upper-level vegetation for shelter and resting spots. While they will occasionally explore the bottom to search for food among leaf litter, most of their activity and social interactions take place in the upper half of the water column.
Wissenschaftliche Modelle & Parameter
FishBase
Zugang zu den offiziellen wissenschaftlichen Daten der Art
FishBase v25.04Daten synchronisiert am: 15.06.2026
- Trophäenniveau
- 3,2 ± 0,4 se
- Belastbarkeit
- Hoch (weniger als 15 Monate)
- Phylogenetische Einzigartigkeit (PD50)
- 0.5
- Bayessche Längen-Gewichts-Beziehung
- a = 0.01, b = 2.97
- AnfälligkeitGeringe Anfälligkeit (10 / 100)
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