White-seam betta

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Endemic to the Sebuku River basin in Indonesian Borneo (East Kalimantan). Exclusively populates very shallow swamp forest pools (often less than 10 cm / 4 inches of water), filled with mud, leaf litter and fallen branches in almost total shade.

Taxonomy and Morphology: White-Seam Fighter (Betta albimarginata). Belongs to the "wild" Betta complex. Thin, stocky and compact torpedo-shaped body, large head with a wide mouth suitable for oral incubation. Short fins, very dissimilar from the typical Betta splendens.

Social Behavior: Shy, reflective and lethargic. Unlike its domestic cousin, males live together peacefully (provided there are visual barriers and plenty of space) limiting themselves to spectacular displays in which they dilate their gills without injuring themselves.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Gorgeous velvety rust-red livery. The distinctive element (albimarginata) is the clear milk-white margin that borders all the dark fins of the male. Females are drab brownish-gray, camouflaged and slightly smaller.

Aquarium Setup: Dedicated nano-aquarium (Biotope setup min. 50 cm / 20 inches). Dark amber water, very low light (filtered by floating plants), tangle of woods and a soft bed of Ketapang leaves. The water must be free surface (without current) and the tank sealed with a lid.

Diet and Feeding: Ambush micro-predator. Often refuses dry feeds or takes months to get used to them. MUST be fed with small live or frozen food: Daphnia, Artemia, Bloodworms, Grindal and drosophila.

Water Quality: "Blackwater" species. Demands extremely soft and acidic water produced by peat. Accumulations of pollutants are deadly. Like all Anabantoids it breathes air: a thermal shock between water and air above the tank will cause lethal pneumonia.

Compatibility and Tankmates: To be kept in a single-species tank (Species Tank). Peacefully shares the aquarium only with very small Boraras or peaceful pangios. Put in "community tanks" it will die of terror, holing up until starvation.

Aquarium Reproduction: Paternal mouthbrooders. After the embrace, the female collects the eggs and "spits" them to the male. He will hide, swelling his throat out of proportion, incubating the eggs for 12-18 days without feeding, then releasing 10-40 independent fry.

Risks and Diseases: Accidental ingestion of offspring: if an incubating male is frightened (sudden light, noises, rough water) he will swallow the eggs out of panic. They are also incredible jumpers: they pass through any crack in the lid.