Penang betta (Betta pugnax)

Scientific name: Betta pugnax Cantor, 1849

The Penang betta (Betta pugnax) is a freshwater fish of the family Osphronemidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 24–28°C (75–82°F). Native range: Asia, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.

Penang betta care at a glance

Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 0 - 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-10; Anal spines: 1 - 2; Anal soft rays: 24 - 26; Vertebrae: 28 - 31. A member of the Betta pugnax species group that can be differentiated from other members by the following combination of characters: presence of chin-bar; absence of dark marks below postorbital stripe on opercle; presence of dorsal transverse bars; caudal transverse bars present only in male; greenish to bluish iridescent scales on opercle and body; red subdistal band and black edge on anal fin; absence of dark edge on caudal fin; anal fin rays 25-28 (mode 26); lateral scales 28-31 (mode 29); postdorsal scales 11-12 (mode 11); pelvic fin length 26.6-43.8% SL; head length 27.5-35.2% SL; inter-orbital width 32.4-53.0% HL.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Betta pugnax
Family: Osphronemidae (Gouramies)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 6.7
Environment: Freshwater;; pH range: 7.1 - 7.6; dH range: 5 - 12 benthopelagic
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Asia: Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Produces a minimum of 100 eggs)