Emerald Betta

Betta smaragdina

The Emerald Betta (*Betta smaragdina*) is one of the most stunning members of the "Betta splendens wild-type" complex. Totally alien to the aesthetic weighed down by the enormous fins of show Bettas (Halfmoon or Crowntail), the *smaragdina* boasts a slender, aerodynamic body and a metallic green or emerald blue livery so iridescent it seems lit by a neon tube from within. Besides their exquisitely natural appearance, these wild Bettas show a vitality, intelligence, and disease resistance vastly superior to the fragile and hyper-selected commercial variants, while maintaining the fascinating ritual aggression typical of fighting fish.

Family: Osphronemidae
Origin: Sud-est asiatico (Thailandia orientale e Laos, nel bacino del fiume Khorat e Mekong)
Origin: Selective breeding and cultivarsExtra-Amazon South AmericaSouth and Southeast Asia
Tank use: Used in 0 tanks

Species challenges

Temperature

24 °C - 28 °C

6 - 7.5

Water type

Freshwater

Tank level

Surface

Adult size

7 cm

Description

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Endemic to northeastern Thailand (Isan region) and Laos. Inhabits the Mekong and Chao Phraya river basins, preferring swamps, rice paddies, small agricultural canals and floodplains rich in vegetation.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Emerald Betta (Betta smaragdina). Part of the splendens complex. "Smaragdina" literally means emerald. Similar in shape to the wild B. splendens, but slightly more elongated and with larger scales.

Social Behavior: Often labeled as "peaceful", in reality males are highly intolerant of each other. Aggressiveness is equal to or only slightly less than that of B. splendens. Best kept singly or in pairs in large tanks.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Stunning livery. Males have a dark brown background entirely covered with iridescent emerald green metallic scales. The fins show black and red rays with a cobweb pattern. Faded females, brown with slight green reflections.

Care and observations

Aquarium Setup: Minimum 60 cm (24 inches). Needs a dense layout: plants reaching the surface (Vallisneria, Ceratopteris), dense floaters to filter light, and woods rich in tannins. Water current strictly absent.

Diet and Feeding: Insectivorous/Carnivorous. A diet based on small live or frozen food is essential: white and red bloodworms, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae, drosophila. Accepts Betta pellets but they should not constitute the exclusive diet.

Water Quality: Very adaptable. Unlike forest Bettas (e.g. B. coccina or persephone), it tolerates neutral or slightly hard water well. Loves water enriched with tannins (catappa) and warm, stable temperatures.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Not a generic community aquarium fish. Can only tolerate very calm bottom companions (Pangio, small Corydoras) and very small Rasboras. Males will fight to the death with other labyrinth fish.

Aquarium Reproduction: Bubble nester. Classic reproduction of the splendens complex: the male builds a compact nest under a leaf, embraces the female (who falls into a trance) and deposits the eggs in the nest, defending them fiercely.

Risks and Diseases: As with B. imbellis, the greatest risk for pure specimens is commercial hybridization with B. splendens (creating "Copper" or "Alien" Bettas). Highly susceptible to dropsy if overfed with poor quality dry foods.

Fish profile

Temperament: Territoriale tra conspecifici. Le lotte tra maschi (flaring) sono intense ma molto meno letali rispetto ai B. splendens. Spesso si ignorano a vicenda in vasche lunghe.
Diet: Carnivoro puro / Insettivoro. Nutrizione a base di vivo o congelato fine: chironomus, dafnie, larve di zanzara, grindal worms e drosofile in superficie.
Tank level: Surface
Minimum group: 1
Adult size: 7 cm
Minimum tank: 50 L
GH: 4 dGH - 12 dGH
KH: n/a
TDS: n/a
Conductivity: n/a
Sex ratio: Allevare una singola coppia (1 maschio e 1 femmina) in acquari densamente piantumati. I maschi singoli prosperano benissimo.
Feeding frequency: 1-2 volte al giorno. Somministrare preferibilmente insetti o larve. Rifiutano spesso scaglie di bassa qualità.
Bioload: Molto Basso
Flow: Corrente Nulla o Quasi Nulla (paludosa/acque ferme)
Jump risk: Covered tank required
Reproduction: I maschi costruiscono fitti nidi di bolle ancorandoli alle galleggianti. Spesso la coppia, in natura e in vasche ricche di vegetazione, non si danneggia dopo la deposizione, a differenza del cugino splendens.
Compatibility: Meglio in acquari specie-specifici (solo Betta). In vasche di comunità ampie, possono convivere con micro-pesci molto pacifici da fondo o mezza profondità (Boraras, piccoli Corydoras, Pangio Kuhlii). Mangeranno gli avannotti dei gamberetti.

Image gallery

Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.