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Forest Betta
Betta pugnax
Family: Osphronemidae
The Penang Betta or Forest Betta is a paternal mouthbrooder from clearwater forest streams in Peninsular Malaysia. It is one of the earliest Betta species to be scientifically described and has been kept by hobbyists for over a century. Males display brown-grey bodies with metallic green scale edging and elongated ventral fins. Less showy than newer cultivars, it is valued by wild betta enthusiasts for its natural behaviour and interesting breeding process.
Keeping this species
- diet
- Carnivore – live/frozen bloodworms, daphnia, earthworms, micro pellets
- breeding
- Paternal mouthbrooder
- lifespan
- 3–5 years
- max size
- 9 cm (3.5 in)
- tank size
- 15 gallons minimum
- temperament
- Moderately aggressive; harasses females outside of spawning
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Water it likes
- ph
- 5.5–7.5
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <10 ppm
- hardness
- 1–12 dGH
- temperature
- 72–82°F (22–28°C)