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Betta Unimaculata
Betta unimaculata
Also known as One-spot Betta, Giant Mouthbrooder Betta, Unimaculata Fighting Fish
Animalia›Chordata›Perciformes›Osphronemidae
Betta unimaculata is a mouthbrooding species from Southeast Asia, distinctly different from the popular Siamese fighting fish. These peaceful bettas are ideal for community tanks and display fascinating parental care behaviors. They are moderately sized and require specific water conditions to thrive.
Where it's from
Native to the Kalabakan, Kinabatangan, Mahakam, Segama and 1 other river basins
Malaysia and Indonesia
At a glance
- Size
- 3.5 in
- 9 cm
- Min tank
- 20 gal
- 76 L
- Temp
- 75–82°F
- 24–28°C
- pH
- 6.0-7.0
- GH
- 71–143 ppm
- 4–8 dGH
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Swims
- Top
- Lifespan
- 4-6 yrs
Ammonia 0 ppm and nitrate under 20 ppm.
Care
Diet
Feed small live foods such as micro worms, daphnia, and small insects 2-3 times daily. Supplement with high-quality carnivore pellets. Juveniles require more frequent feeding than adults. Occasional vegetable matter can be offered but is not essential.
Behavior
Betta unimaculata are peaceful, social fish that can be kept in pairs or small groups unlike their aggressive cousins. They are active swimmers that explore all tank zones and display interesting courtship and parental behaviors. Males will construct bubble nests and exhibit mouthbrooding behavior when breeding.
Breeding
Breeding is moderately difficult and requires careful conditioning with live foods. Pairs should be introduced in a heavily planted tank with gentle water flow. Males are mouthbrooders and will protect fry for 1-2 weeks after release. Provide small live foods for fry immediately upon free-swimming.
Tank mates
See all 4Small, peaceful schooling fish that won't compete with bettas
Algae eaters that occupy bottom zone and don't threaten bettas
Live plants provide shelter and security for peaceful bettas
Large enough to avoid predation and help with algae control
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Common diseases 4Fin Rot, Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis), Velvet Disease, Bacterial Infection
Fin Rot
Frayed, discolored, or deteriorating fins; lethargy; loss of appetite
Perform 25% water changes every 2-3 days, maintain pristine water quality, use aquarium salt at 1 teaspoon per 5 gallons, and consider antibacterial medication if severe
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, rubbing against objects, lethargy
Raise temperature to 28-30 C (82-86 F), perform daily 25% water changes, use ich medication following label directions, and ensure good aeration
Velvet Disease
Gold or rust-colored dust on body, rapid breathing, clamped fins, lethargy
Increase temperature to 28-30 C (82-86 F), perform 25% water changes daily, use copper-based medication or formalin, and reduce light exposure
Bacterial Infection
Open sores, red streaks on body, swollen areas, loss of appetite, cloudy eyes
Perform daily 25% water changes, maintain excellent water quality, use broad-spectrum antibacterial medication, and isolate severely affected fish
Legality
No state or federal restrictions on record.
Not legal advice, and possibly incomplete or out of date. Rules vary by state and change over time; check with your state wildlife or agriculture agency before buying, keeping or shipping it.
The care information here is written with AI help, so it can contain mistakes. Spot one? Tell us and we'll fix it. Native range: Tedesco et al. 2017 (CC0).
At a glance
- Size
- 3.5 in9 cm
- Min tank
- 20 gal76 L
- Temp
- 75–82°F24–28°C
- pH
- 6.0-7.0
- GH
- 71–143 ppm4–8 dGH
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Swims
- Top
- Lifespan
- 4-6 yrs
Ammonia 0 ppm and nitrate under 20 ppm.
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