simor fighter

Betta simorum
Family Osphronemidae
Genus Betta
IUCN category (World) VU
Betta simorum Betta simorum

Introduction

Descriptor : Tan & Ng, 1996

The Simor fighter is a small osphronemid from the peat bogs of Indonesia, described in honor of Thomas G. K. Sim and Farah Sim. It has a fragmented distribution between Sumatra (provinces of Jambi and Riau, Indragiri basin) and western Kalimantan near Pontianak, where it inhabits blackwater swamp forests.

Who is it?

Morphology

  • Average size
    6 cm
  • Maximum size
    9 cm
  • Shape
    Rectangular
  • Average size
    6 cm
  • Maximum size
    9 cm
  • Shape
    Rectangular

How to recognize This fish ?

Like all fish of its genus, the simor fighter 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 can reach up to 6.4 cm in standard length. The body is streamlined, dark, adapted to shaded and tannic environments, with discreet iridescent reflections depending on the angle and water quality.

Sexual dimorphism

The dimorphism is quite subtle: males are often more vividly colored and slightly slimmer, with slightly more developed fins, while females remain more robust and dull.

Behaviour & Life cycle

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

The Simor fighter is discreet and opportunistic, active in calm and shallow areas. It sifts through submerged litter and riverside roots to collect microcrustaceans and insect larvae, especially dragonfly nymphs, and intercepts surface arthropods fallen from the banks. Facultative air breathing helps it endure low oxygen levels in water.

Reproduction

  • Reproduction
    ovipare réalisant des nids de bulles
  • Polygamy
    Yes

The Simor fighter is a paternal bubble nest builder. The spawn is attached under a floating support or surface vegetation; the initially sinking eggs are collected and embedded in foam, with the male guarding and ventilating them until hatching.

Harmless species

No known threat to humans.

Origin and distribution

Natural range
Invasive range
Mixed / unknown area

Geographic distribution & Conservation

The distribution is limited to a few areas in the provinces of Jambi and Riau (Sumatra) and marshes near Pontianak (West Kalimantan). The occupied area is estimated between 500 and 2,000 km². The species is classified as Vulnerable due to ongoing degradation of peat swamp forests and collection for the aquarium trade, with a continuous decline in mature adults.

Conservation status of populations (IUCN)

World : VU

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

  • Temperature
    23 - 27 °C
  • pH (acidity)
    3 - 6
  • gh (hardness)
    1 - 3

Biotope presentation

The Simor fighter is strictly confined to the blackwaters of peat swamp forests: stagnant environments with very slow currents, highly acidic, tea-colored by tannins, shallow, littered with dead leaves, wood, and roots under a dense vegetative cover.

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
    90 liters
  • Population min
    1
  • Temperature
    23 - 27 °C
  • pH (acidity)
    3 - 6

Characteristics

  • Difficulty breeding
    hard
  • 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 simor fighter

The simor fighter is a species which lives naturally at a temperature between 23 °C and 27 °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 simor fighter is a species whose maintenance is rather reserved for informed aquarists . It can only be successfully carried out by carrying out a minimum of documentation work. Special husbandry conditions can easily lead to the death of the species or other 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 simor fighter 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 simor fighter can be found for long periods in water holes where oxygen is scarce.

Cohabitation & Environment

The simor fighter is a fish which it is advisable to maintain in specific aquarium. A 90 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.

This fish being polygamous, the male must always be maintained with several females. A ratio of three females to one male seems to be a good compromise for the constitution of the group.

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. Floating plants such as Salvinia can be added to recreate the subdued atmosphere characteristic of its living conditions in the wild.

Acid Water Maintenance

The simor fighter living naturally in acidic water, generally in "black" or "sieved" water, the implementation of a filtration on peat is ideal for its balance. Adding decaying leaves and alder fruit can significantly improve living conditions by naturally increasing acidity of some water.

Tips for feeding

The simor fighter 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

  • Maintenance difficulty
    hard
  • egg-laying protection
    No

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.

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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