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FishexpertFreshwater

Betta Brownorum

Betta brownorum

📍 Southeast Asia

Ask Finn

Betta brownorum is a peaceful, mouth-brooding wild betta species native to Southeast Asia, making it a fascinating alternative to the aggressive Siamese fighting fish. Unlike their flashy domesticated cousins, these fish display subtle earth-tone coloration and exhibit complex social behaviors in properly sized groups. They are best suited for experienced aquarists who can provide appropriate tank conditions and understand their unique breeding behaviors.

Size1.5"
Min Tank20g
peaceful
Zoneall

Care Guide

Diet

Betta brownorum require small live foods such as microworms, daphnia, and small insects to thrive. Supplement with high-quality micropellets designed for small fish. Feed small portions 2-3 times daily, as their tiny mouths require appropriately sized food. Live food is essential for conditioning breeding pairs.

Behavior

These are peaceful, social bettas that can be kept in small groups or pairs, unlike their aggressive domesticated relatives. They are bottom-to-middle dwellers that spend time exploring substrate and vegetation. Males exhibit courtship displays and will mouth-brood fry, showing parental care behaviors rarely seen in aquarium bettas.

Breeding

Betta brownorum are mouth-brooders that require soft, acidic water and plenty of plants or caves for spawning sites. Breeding is moderately difficult and requires conditioning pairs on live food and maintaining stable water parameters. Males will incubate eggs and fry in their mouths for 10-14 days before releasing them.

Common Diseases

Fin Rot

Symptoms

Frayed, disintegrating fins; white or black edges on fin tissue; lethargy

Treatment

Improve water quality, perform 25% water changes every 2-3 days, treat with aquarium salt or antibacterial medication if severe

Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)

Symptoms

White spots on body and fins, scratching against objects, rapid breathing, loss of appetite

Treatment

Raise temperature gradually to 28-30 C (82-86 F), treat with ich medication, perform daily water changes, ensure adequate aeration

Mouth Fungus

Symptoms

White cottony growth around mouth and gills, difficulty feeding, lethargy

Treatment

Improve water quality, treat with antifungal medication, isolate affected fish, ensure proper nutrition with live foods

Parasitic Infections

Symptoms

Excessive scratching, weight loss, pale coloration, clamped fins, visible parasites

Treatment

Treat with antiparasitic medication, perform frequent water changes, quarantine affected fish, maintain pristine water conditions

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Quick Facts

diet
Carnivore - small live foods and high-quality micropellets
lifespan
3-5 years
max size
4 cm (1.5 in)
tank size
20 gallons minimum
temperament
peaceful

Water it likes

ph
5.5-6.5
ammonia
0 ppm
nitrate
<20 ppm
hardness
2-8 dGH
temperature
75–82°F (24–28°C)

Stats

Community tips0
Kept by0 hobbyists