Betta unimaculata

Classification

Order: Perciformes Family: Osphronemidae

Distribution

Native to parts of the Kajan (upper River Kayan basin) and Howong (River Mahakam basin) river drainages in the Indonesian province of Kalimantan Timur (East Kalimantan), Borneo. These areas are very remote and some accessible only by small boat.

Populations from different localities have been observed to exhibit differences in colouration and patterning and these should never be kept together in aquaria as they will undoubtedly hybridise.

In order to maintain accuracy and preserve pure bloodlines the fish are often labelled with the collection locality by collectors/enthusiasts e.g. Mahakam, Sandakan, etc. The fish from Tawau which was initially thought to be B. unimaculata has now been described and named B. ocellata

Habitat

Has been collected from numeroushabitat-types including clear, flowing streams and isolated, elevated pools around headwaters as well as moreturbidforested streams.

In flowing headwaters and streams the fish tend to lurk in slow-moving or stagnant pools whereas in the forest streams theyre found amongmarginalvegetation, leaf litter and submerged tree roots.

One population inhabits the top of a rainforest waterfall (in a place named Bahulak weve been unable to locate on a map) withsubstratecomposed of exposed sandstone.

Maximum Standard Length

100 115 mm.

Aquarium Size

An aquarium with base measurementsof 80 30 cm or equivalent is sufficient for a pair.

It is advised to find a filter which has a water flow between 4-5 times the volume of your aquarium. At a volume of 72 litres, the filter we recommend can be found here.Other aquarium filters which have been recommended highly by customers in your area can be found here.

Maintenance

Can be maintained in a fully-decoratedaquariumalthough manybreeders 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 cant 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 asdecompositionoccurs. These can provide a valuable secondary food source forfryand the tannins and other chemicals released by the decaying leaves are also considered beneficial.

Like others in thegenusthisspeciesseems to do best under fairly dim lighting. You could add aquatic plantspeciesthat can survive under such conditions such asMicrosorum pteropus,Taxiphyllum barbierior perhaps some pottedCryptocorynespp., and a few patches of floating vegetation would be useful to diffuse the light entering thetank.

Filtration need not be too strong, with an air-poweredsponge filterset to turn over gently adequate. Keep thetankwell-covered and do not fill it to the top as like allBettaspp. it requires occasional access to the layer of humid air that will form above the water surface, and is anexcellent jumper.

Water Conditions

Temperature:21 26 C

pH:5.0 7.5

Hardness:0 179 ppm