Betta Picta

The spotted betta or Java fighting fish (''Betta picta'') is a species of gourami endemic to Indonesia where it inhabits relatively cool, 22‒25 °C (72‒75 °F), highland streams of Java and Sumatra.


In 1967, D. S. Johnson reported the species to be common in blackwaters of southern Malaya.

Of largely unremarkable ''Betta'' appearance, ''B. picta'' attains an overall length of 6 cm (2.4 in).
It is noted for the pale bars on the male's back, absent in other similar ''Betta'' species.

Mouthbrooders, spotted bettas spawn ''en masse'' when triggered by water changes; this is likely to be an adaptation to reduce the chances, by saturating the environment with young, of individual fry falling prey to predators. This betta spawns readily and prolifically in captivity, producing easily raised fry.

Even though it is easily kept and bred, it is not one of the more popular ''Betta'' species among hobbyists, likely because, in the words of one ''B. picta'' keeper, "many just can not get excited by watching a drab colored fish that spends most of its time hiding away under the rocks and behind the plants."

Originally described by Valenciennes and assigned to genus '' Panchax'' (as ''P. pictum''). It was found that Bleeker's ''Betta trifasciata'', described in 1850 and used as the type species of his genus ''Betta'', was identical to ''P. pictum''. As the original type specimens are now lost, H. H. Tan and Kottelat redescribed the species in 1998.

References

External links

International Betta Congress Species Maintenance Program photos



Spotted Betta Fish - Facts You Need To Know

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Spotted betta
Taxa named by Achille Valenciennes
Fish described in 1846
Freshwater fish of Indonesia
Endemic fauna of Indonesia
Fauna of Sumatra