Giant betta (Betta anabatoides)

Scientific name: Betta anabatoides Bleeker, 1851

The Giant betta (Betta anabatoides) is a freshwater fish of the family Osphronemidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 27–30°C (81–86°F). Native range: Asia, lower Barito basin in South Kalimantan and Kotawaringin, Katingan, Sampit, Mentaya and Kahayan basins in Central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo.

Giant betta care at a glance

Temperature: 27–30°C (81–86°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 0 - 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-9; Anal spines: 1 - 2; Anal soft rays: 27 - 29; Vertebrae: 30 - 31. Can be distinguished from other species in possessing the following combination of characters: a thick-set body (body depth 30.5-33.7 % SL) with the anterior part of the body reminiscent of the taxon Anabas; head devoid of pattern except for a preorbital stripe that runs from the black lower lip to the eye, and continuous with a postorbital stripe to the posterior edge of the opercle; in living specimens, the opercle with faint gold iridescent scales; and some median caudal rays projecting beyond the fin margin.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Betta anabatoides
Family: Osphronemidae (Gouramies)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 8.2
Depth range: 1 m (3 ft)
Environment: Freshwater;; pH range: 4.5 - 7.5; dH range: ? - 1 benthopelagic; depth range ? - 1 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Asia: lower Barito basin in South Kalimantan and Kotawaringin, Katingan, Sampit, Mentaya and Kahayan basins in Central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)