Foersch's Mouthbrooder

About

Found in the rainforest creeks of southern Borneo, Betta foerschi is a small, peaceful species that gives its name to a whole group of closely related bettas. All sharing iridescent blue or green unpaired fins, a thin white band along the dorsal fin tip, and paired reddish-yellow bars on the opercle. It stays compact at under three inches and carries itself with a quiet, almost cautious demeanor that sets it apart from the flashier bettas most people know. Like its relatives in the suborder Anabantoidei, it has a labyrinth organ that allows it to breathe air directly from the surface, which matters considerably when setting up its aquarium. This is not a fish for a typical community tank. It is best kept alone or with extremely peaceful, soft-water species, and even housing multiple pairs together can be unpredictable. Some keepers report only minor squabbling, while others have seen dominant fish persistently harass weaker individuals. Where this species really captures attention is in reproduction: it is a paternal mouthbrooder, with the male carrying the eggs for up to two weeks, and unusually for a mouthbrooding betta, he may continue eating throughout the brooding period. Fish sold under this name are sometimes actually the closely related B. mandor, so sourcing from reputable collectors who label locality populations accurately is well worth the effort.