Introduction
Betta pallida is a small fighter from the picta group described in 2004 from specimens in southern Thailand. The species is localized from Ko Samui island (Surat Thani province) to the Malaysian border in Narathiwat province. Its plain coloring and lanceolate caudal fin distinguish it from other group members.
Who is it?
Morphology
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Average size3 cm
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Maximum size4.5 cm
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ShapeRectangular
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Patternhorizontal stripes
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Average size3 cm
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Maximum size4.5 cm
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ShapeRectangular
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Patternhorizontal stripes
How to recognize This fish ?
Like all fish of its genus, Betta pallida has the particularity of being able to breathe in two different ways. In addition to the classic gills, this species is equipped with a breathing apparatus called Labyrinthe which allows it to absorb oxygen from the air. These species are commonly called the labyrinth Fish.
The species reaches a maximum size of about 3.4 cm standard in males and 3.3 cm in females. The body is fusiform, relatively stocky, marked by a continuous dark lateral band. A second postorbital bar and a line under the chin are visible. The dorsal, anal, and caudal fins are pointed, the caudal fin lanceolate in males and rhomboidal in females.
Behaviour & Life cycle
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dietcarnivorous
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Sociabilityliving as a couple or alone
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territorialYes
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Way of livingdiurnal
Betta pallida is a discreet fish living in riparian vegetation and leaf litter. Like other Betta, it has a labyrinth organ allowing it to breathe atmospheric air. It feeds on small invertebrates and aquatic larvae that it captures by foraging among plant debris.
Reproduction
The species is a paternal mouthbrooder. After spawning, the male retrieves the fertilized eggs in his mouth and keeps them until hatching, ensuring their protection against predators and environmental variations. The young are released after about ten days and feed on their own upon release.
Harmless species
No particular danger.
Origin and distribution
Geographic distribution & Conservation
Betta pallida is limited to the east coast of Thailand, from Ko Samui island to the Sungai Kolok border region. Its distribution covers forest streams and marshy areas in the plain. The species has long been confused with Betta prima and other members of the picta group, complicating its monitoring. No official evaluation exists to date, but the degradation of the region's humid forest habitats represents a potential threat.
Conservation status of populations (IUCN)
What is its habitat?
Natural environment characteristics
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Temperature25 - 27 °C
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pH (acidity)6.2 - 6.5
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gh (hardness)2 - 8
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FlowSlow and Stagnant
Biotope presentation
The species frequents small shallow forest streams (20–50 cm deep) with slow currents. The stream bed is lined with dead leaves, branches, and plant debris. The water is clear to slightly tinted by tannins, with a pH ranging from 6.3 to 6.5, low conductivity (70–80 µS/cm), and a temperature of 25–27 °C.
Main recommendations for fishkeeping
Deontology
In order to preserve wildlife, if you acquire this animal, it must not be released into the wild. See also, the Fishipedia charter.
Fishipedia supports the practice of responsible and environmentally friendly aquarium keeping. We encourage maintenance if it is motivated by a desire to understand the biological functioning of living things and if it is done with respect for animal life.
We believe that aquaristics is an opening to the discovery of aquatic environments, especially freshwater, and that this knowledge is necessary to better protect and respect these environments. Logically, we refute the compulsive purchase of animals that would not find a sufficient and / or adapted place in the host aquarium.
Our recommendations
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Min volume20 liters
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Population minnot specified
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Temperature25 - 27 °C
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pH (acidity)6.2 - 6.5
Characteristics
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Difficulty breedingmoderate
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Robustnesssensible
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Behaviourslightly aggressive
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Availabilityrare
Recommended equipment from our partners
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Aquarium
General reminders
It is strongly advised to read the complete dedicated file and to get information on the feedbacks of maintenance of the envisaged animal, this to avoid any potential conflict whose end result is generally the death of the individual (or the other inhabitants). It is important not to overload your aquarium to limit pollution. This will make maintenance easier.
In nature, animals are subject to weather conditions and live in waters with variable characteristics. The recommendations offered by our team for aquarium maintenance are a guidance and cannot be assimilated to scientific datas.
General reminder on maintenance datas
Le démarrage d'un aquarium est une partie primordiale pour l'équilibre et le bien-être des poissons. Lorsque l'on met en eau un aquarium, l'eau passe naturellement par un cycle biologique : le cycle de l'azote. Celui-ci dure environ trois semaines. Tous les 2 jours, nous vous conseillons de tester votre eau jusqu'à ce que le taux de nitrite soit à zéro pendant plusieurs jours d'affilée.
Pour accélérer ce cycle, vous pouvez utiliser un activateur de bactéries comme JBL Denitrol. Cette solution riche en bactéries vivantes et enzymes permet une mise en place rapide du cycle de l'azote. Les poissons peuvent alors être introduits plus rapidement.
Il est important de tester l'eau de son aquarium régulièrement pour maintenir un environnement sain pour les poissons et les autres habitants. Les tests d'eau permettent de mesurer les niveaux de différents paramètres tels que le pH, la dureté totale, ainsi que les taux de nitrates, de nitrites et d'ammoniaque.
Pour réaliser ces tests, vous pouvez utiliser des produits d'analyse spécialisés tels que JBL ProScan qui permet de réaliser un diagnostic de l'eau directement via un smartphone. Il existe également des coffrets de tests plus classiques de bandelettes, comme JBL PROAQUATEST.
En cas d’usage de l’eau du robinet, vous pouvez utiliser un conditionneur d’eau de type Biotopol de JBL pour éliminer les substances nocives comme le chlore, le cuivre, le plomb et le zinc. Une eau trop dure ou trop calcaire peut être inadaptée à de nombreuses espèces tropicales d’eau douce. Si nécessaire, vous pouvez la couper avec de l’eau osmosée ou de pluie filtrée afin d’obtenir une dureté plus adaptée aux besoins de vos poissons et de vos plantes. Les conditionneurs d'eau garantissent une meilleure santé aux poissons et une meilleure croissance des plantes.
Chlorine and chloramine are dangerous for the health of animals. Used to disinfect water, these agents are present in significant quantities in tap water. We recommend using an anti-chlorine agent every time you change the water. In addition to chlorine, treatments and medicines sold for aquarium use sometimes contain dangerous heavy metals in high doses.
Specific needs for Betta pallida
Betta pallida is a species which lives naturally at a temperature between 25 °C and 27 °C. Betta pallida is sensitive to abrupt changes in parameters as well as to chemicals. Its acclimation in an aquarium must be done with special care to prevent it from developing diseases or weaknesses. Nitrate levels should remain below 25mg/L. To keep the water clean and unpolluted, plan on changing 20% to 30% of the water volume each month.
The breeding of this species is accessible on condition of being well informed about its needs in aquarium . Any cohabitants must be chosen with care to avoid the loss of animals. This animal is somewhat more sensitive than others to environmental influences and water quality.
This species is very rare in the aquarium trade. Instead, it is maintained by knowledgeable aquarists who own and breed individuals from wild origin strains. If you want to get this species, we advise you to contact specialized clubs. }Specimens from long time breeding are a bit easier to breed but you have to respect the particular water parameters.
Jumping fish
Be careful, Betta pallida is an excellent jumper, naturally using this faculty to change its living area or to escape from predators. The aquarium must be perfectly covered to prevent him from making a deadly jump...
Fish with a maze
The ability to breathe at the surface makes this fish more likely to live in small volumes. Naturally, Betta pallida can be found for long periods in water holes where oxygen is scarce.
Formal incompatibilities
Cohabitation & Environment
Betta pallida is a fish which it is advisable to maintain in specific aquarium. A 20 liter tank is sufficient to consider its breeding. Associating it with other species is not fundamentally impossible but a documentation work is necessary for the constitution of the population.
The males of this species do not support each other, the maintenance of several of them in the same tank is strongly disadvised.
It should be noticed that this species should not be kept with large crustaceans or fish, as it would become a prey of choice. Smaller species should preferably be inserted in the aquarium some time before the larger ones. Moreover, if you want to breed it, it is better to put them in a specific aquarium.Tips for feeding
Betta pallida is carnivorous.
This species can eat dry food (flakes, pellets), fresh food and frozen food. To avoid deficiencies, it is recommended to vary the types of food.
Feed animals in moderation to maintain good water quality. Meals should be eaten within 2–3 minutes, served in several small portions rather than a single large ration.
Uneaten food quickly decomposes, releasing ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates, which disturb the aquarium’s biological balance.
Make sure each species can access food properly, slower or bottom-dwelling individuals may require targeted feeding.Food recommendations from our partner JBL - Products PRONOVO
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Granules
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Flakes
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Sticks
Reproduction protocol
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egg-laying protectionNo
Hybridization risks
In general, it is advised not to mix several species of the same genus or different varieties of the same species, to avoid the risks of hybridization.
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Sources & Contributions
Participation & Validation
The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.
Benoit Chartrer
Translation
Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.
Scientific partners
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Same genus
