Betta taeniata
Classification
Order: Perciformes Family: Osphronemidae
Distribution
Endemic to Borneo where it’s been collected at various localities in southern Sarawak state, Malaysia, and northern Kalimantan Barat (West Kalimantan) province, Indonesia.
Populations from the different localities are often labelled as such by collectors/enthusiasts in order to maintain accuracy and preserve pure bloodlines, e.g., Sri Aman, Serian, Kapuas, etc.
Habitat
Usually associated with clear, flowing hill streams where it can be found in quiet marginal zones and still pools that typically contain a mixture of leaf litter and gravel/rocks.
At some localities the water is stained slightly brown, presumably with humic acids and other chemicals released by decaying organic material. In Sarawak it’s also been collected from more turbid, sluggish streams with thick marginal vegetation on occasion.
At one locality close to Serian, Sarawak, the habitat comprised a swiftly-flowing, clear hill stream with a substrate of quartz gravel and variably-sized rocks. The pH was 7.0 and there was no aquatic vegetation.
The stream was approximately 10 metres across at its widest point and between 5-80 cm deep. B. taeniata was found in sluggish stretches among submerged tree roots, leaf litter, or overhanging riparian vegetation.
Sympatric species included Barbonymus collingwoodii, Paracrossochilus vittatus, ‘Puntius’ kuchingensis, ‘P.‘ banksi, ‘P.‘ sealei, Rasbora sarawakensis, R. caudimaculata, Systomus orphoides, Gastromyzon cf. fasciata, G. cf. punctulatus, Homaloptera tweediei, Nemacheilus saravacensis, Glyptothorax cf. major, Clarias teijsmanni, Hemirhamphodon kuekenthali, Channa lucius, and Macrognathus maculatus.
Maximum Standard Length
50 – 55 mm.
Aquarium SizeTop ↑
An aquarium with base measurements of 60 ∗ 30 cm or equivalent is large enough for a pair or small group.
Maintenance
Can be maintained in a fully-decorated aquarium although many breeders prefer not to use a substrate for ease of maintenance. Driftwood roots and branches can be used and placed such a way that a few shady spots are formed.
If you can’t find driftwood of the desired shape common beech or oak is safe to use if thoroughly dried and stripped of bark. Clay plant pots or lengths of piping can also be included to provide further shelter.
The addition of dried leaf litter, with beech, oak or Ketapang almond leaves all suitable, can further emphasise the natural feel and as well as offering additional cover for the fish brings with it the growth of microbe colonies as decomposition occurs. These can provide a valuable secondary food source for fry and the tannins and other chemicals released by the decaying leaves are also considered beneficial.
Like others in the genus this species seems to do best under fairly dim lighting. You could add aquatic plant species that can survive under such conditions such as Microsorum pteropus, Taxiphyllum barbieri or perhaps some potted Cryptocoryne spp., and a few patches of floating vegetation would be useful to diffuse the light entering the tank.
Filtration need not be too strong, with an air-powered sponge filter set to turn over gently adequate. Keep the tank well-covered and do not fill it to the top as like all Betta spp. it requires occasional access to the layer of humid air that will form above the water surface, and is an excellent jumper.
Water Conditions
Temperature: 22 – 27 °C
pH: 5.0 – 7.0
Hardness: 0 – 90 ppm
Diet
Likely to prey on insects and other small invertebrates/zooplankton in nature. Captive fish will normally accept dried products once they’re recognised as edible, but should be offered plenty of small live or frozen foods such as Daphnia, Artemia or bloodworm regularly to ensure development of optimal colour and condition. Take care not to overfeed as Betta spp. seem particularly prone to obesity.
Behaviour and CompatibilityTop ↑
Not recommended for the standard community set-up for reasons already touched upon. It’s requirements and disposition mean it’s best kept alone or with very peaceful species since much bigger or more vigorous fishes are likely to intimidate and outcompete it. Some small cyprinids and loaches that inhabit similar environments in nature are compatible.
It can be maintained in a pair or group and will display some interesting behavioural interactions under the latter circumstances.
Sexual Dimorphism
Males grow larger, possess a greater amount of iridescent scaling on the head, a broader head shape, and more extended fins than females.
Reproduction
Paternal mouthbrooder. Ideally organise a separate tank for breeding purposes, unless the fish are already being maintained alone, setting this up as suggested above.
The tank should have the tightest-fitting cover you can find (some breeders use clingfilm instead to ensure no gaps) as the fry need access to a layer of warm, humid air without which development of the labyrinth organ can be impaired.
Following a protracted courtship, eggs and milt are released during an ’embrace’ typical of anabantoids in which the male wraps his body around that of the female. Several ‘dummy’ embraces may be required before spawning commences.
Fertilised eggs are caught on the anal fin of the male then picked up in the mouth of the female before being spat out into the water for the male to catch. Once the male has all the eggs in his mouth the cycle is repeated untill the female is spent of eggs, a process which can take some time.
A brooding male may swallow or release the eggs prematurely if stressed or inexperienced, so it’s preferable to leave the female and any other fishes in situ. The incubation period is 9-12 days at the end of which the male will begin to release fully-formed, free-swimming fry. At this point they can be removed or left to grow alongside the parents, with some reports suggesting they actually grow more quickly under such circumstances.
The fry are large enough to accept motile foods such as microworm and Artemia nauplii immediately, though it should be noted that there exist reports of young Betta developing health issues if fed excessive amounts of the latter. Offer small amounts of different foods 2 -3 times per day for optimal growth rate, and don’t change too much water at once, with regular, small changes preferable to intermittent larger ones.
NotesTop ↑
B. taeniata is included in the Betta picta group/complex of closely-related species within the genus, an assemblage comprising species with the following shared characters: unpaired fins rounded (anal-fin sometimes tapering to a blunt point); anal-fin rays I-III, 18-24; dark marginal band on anal and caudal fins, more pronounced in mature males; presence of pre-orbital and post-orbital stripes; presence of chin bar on throat; iridescent green, gold, or blue scales on opercle.
The unique combination of characters distinguishing it from others in the group is as follows: body and fins yellowish, head blackish; presence of iridescent blue scales on upper half of body in male; 23-26 anal-fin rays; 9-9.5 transverse scales; predorsal length 62.4-67.7 % SL; head length 30.3-34.5 % SL; body depth 25.3-30.1 % SL.
The genus Betta is the most speciose within the family Osphronemidae with almost 70 recognised members and looks set to grow further with new ones continuing to be described on a regular basis since the turn of the century.
Member species have successfully adapted to inhabit a variety of ecological niches from stagnant ditches to flowing hill streams including some extreme environments such as highly acidic peat swamp forests.
The referral of members to a number of groups containing closely-related species is now generally accepted but largely based on morphological/behavioural characters. Molecular phylogenetic work is thus required and would undoubtedly prove useful in more precisely determining relationships between these fishes.
A full list of the species groups as currently recognised can be found here.
Like others in the suborder Anabantoidei this species possesses an accessory breathing organ known as the labyrinth. So-called due to its maze-like structure this organ allows the fish to breathe atmospheric air to a certain extent.
Comprising paired suprabranchial organs formed via expansion of the epibranchial (upper) section of the first gill arch and housed in a chamber above the gills, it contains many highly-vascularised, folded flaps of skin which function as a large respiratory surface. Its structure varies in complexity between species, tending to be better-developed in those inhabiting harsher environments.
References
- Regan, C. T., 1910 - Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1909(4): 767-787
The Asiatic fishes of the family Anabantidae - Kottelat, M. and E. Widjanarti, 2005 - Raffles Bulletin of Zoology Supplement 13: 139-173
The fishes of Danau Sentarum National Park and the Kapuas Lakes area, Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia. - Schindler, I. and J. Schmidt, 2006 - Zeitschrift für Fischkunde 8(1/2): 47-69
Review of the mouthbrooding Betta (Teleostei, Osphronemidae) from Thailand, with descriptions of two new species. - Tan, H. H. and P. K. L. Ng, 2005 - Raffles Bulletin of Zoology Supplement 13: 43-99
The fighting fishes (Teleostei: Osphronemidae: Genus Betta) of Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei. - Tan, H. H. and P. K. L. Ng, 2005 - Raffles Bulletin of Zoology Supplement 13: 115-138
The labyrinth fishes (Teleostei: Anabantoidei, Channoidei) of Sumatra, Indonesia. - Witte, K.-E. and J. Schmidt, 1992 - Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters 2(4): 305-330
Betta brownorum, a new species of anabantoids (Teleostei: Belontiidae) from northwestern Borneo, with a key to the genus.
