tiger Betta

Betta patoti
Family Osphronemidae
Genus Betta
IUCN category (World) EN
Betta patoti Betta patoti

Introduction

Descriptor : Weber & de Beaufort, 1922

The tiger Betta is an osphronemid endemic to East Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo), known from around Balikpapan and Samarinda. Dedicated to the collector W. J. Tissot van Patot, it represents one of the large bettas of forest rivers, adapted to cool and well-oxygenated waters.

Who is it?

Morphology

  • Average size
    12 cm
  • Maximum size
    14 cm
  • Shape
    Rectangular
  • Average size
    12 cm
  • Maximum size
    14 cm
  • Shape
    Rectangular

How to recognize This fish ?

Like all fish of its genus, the tiger Betta 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 up to 11 cm in total length. The body is streamlined and robust, with a terminal mouth adapted for capturing prey near the bottom as well as at the surface. The coloration is dark to brownish, more pronounced in males, with moderately developed fins suited for weak to moderate currents.

Sexual dimorphism

The male is generally more slender and more colorful than the female, with slightly more developed fins, particularly during breeding. The female is more squat and has a duller coloration.

Behaviour & Life cycle

  • diet
    carnivorous
  • Sociability
    living as a couple or in a group
  • territorial
    Yes
  • Way of living
    diurnal

Discreet and opportunistic, the tiger Betta alternates between foraging for prey in the litter (insect larvae, microcrustaceans) and intercepting invertebrates at the water surface under the forest canopy. Its facultative aerial respiration (labyrinth organ) allows it to exploit oxygen-poor water pockets while favoring better-oxygenated areas than those of blackwater Bettas.

Reproduction

  • Reproduction
    ovipare incubateur buccal

The tiger Betta is a paternal mouthbrooder: after fertilization, the male collects the eggs and carries them until hatching, then releases already independent fry. Courtship and guarding behavior occur near hiding spots formed by roots, stones, and dead wood.

Harmless species

No known danger to humans.

Origin and distribution

Natural range
Invasive range
Mixed / unknown area

Geographic distribution & Conservation

The species is confirmed only in southern East Kalimantan, around Balikpapan and Samarinda; intermediate records remain unsupported. Its restricted distribution calls for vigilance, although no specific global threats are documented at the moment.

Conservation status of populations (IUCN)

World : EN

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

  • Temperature
    23 - 28 °C
  • pH (acidity)
    5.5 - 6.8
  • gh (hardness)
    4 - 16

Biotope presentation

The tiger Betta frequents forest streams in foothills and plains, cool and well-oxygenated, with a near-neutral pH (approx. 5.5–6.8), low mineral content (up to ~10 °dH), and 23–28 °C. The environment is shallow, shaded, with weak to moderate flow, and substrate of gravel, stones, leaves, and dead wood.

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

  • Min volume
    100 liters
  • Population min
    1
  • Temperature
    23 - 28 °C
  • pH (acidity)
    5.5 - 6.8

Characteristics

  • Difficulty breeding
    moderate
  • Robustness
    tolerant
  • Behaviour
    peaceful
  • Availability
    rare

Recommended equipment from our partners

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 the tiger Betta

The tiger Betta is a species which lives naturally at a temperature between 23 °C and 28 °C. Nitrate levels should remain below 50mg/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 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, the tiger Betta 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, the tiger Betta can be found for long periods in water holes where oxygen is scarce.

Cohabitation & Environment

The tiger Betta is a fish which it is advisable to maintain in specific aquarium. A 100 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 tiger Betta is a fish that generally lives in groups outside of the reproduction periods. If you want to reproduce them and have a good chance of forming a couple, it is recommended to keep at least 5 individuals.. In a community aquarium, the chances of survival of the larvae are almost null. After a few spawns, it is preferable to isolate the couple or to separate from the other members of the group.

The hierarchical organization and the aggressiveness between fellow fish can weaken certain individuals, the presence of hiding places becomes then necessary. If you wish to add new members, it is better to introduce younger fish. They will have a better chance of integrating into the new balance.

The species enjoys a particularly vegetation-rich environment. The addition of plants will provide many useful hiding places for resting. These areas are also conducive to possible breeding in the aquarium.

Tips for feeding

The tiger Betta is carnivorous.

This species does not appreciate being fed with freeze-dried food (flakes...). Some specimens will never eat this type 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

Reproduction protocol

  • egg-laying protection
    Yes

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.

Michel Dantec

Michel Dantec

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.

Bibliographic references

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