Mandor

About

Found in the lower Kapuas basin of Kalimantan Barat, Borneo, this compact wild betta, Betta mandor, was circulating in the hobby under the names 'Mandor' and 'ninja' before it received its formal description. Males display a dark, near-black body with iridescent fin coloration typical of the Betta foerschi group, while females carry a softer brown tone. One identification headache worth knowing: this species is sometimes sold as B. foerschi, and the two look very similar, so checking scale counts and body proportions can matter if provenance is important to you. In behavior, mandor is a genuinely peaceful fish, but also quite timid, and it fares poorly when housed with anything boisterous or competitive. Best results tend to come from dedicated species tanks or very carefully chosen companions. Whether you can keep multiple pairs together is genuinely debated among keepers. Some report manageable squabbling, while others have seen persistent harassment from dominant individuals. Like all anabantoids, it can breathe atmospheric air using its labyrinth organ, which means the water surface must be covered tightly with minimal gaps to keep the air layer warm and humid, especially when raising fry. Breeding is fascinating: the male is a paternal mouthbrooder who carries the eggs for up to two weeks before releasing free-swimming young, making this species a rewarding project for intermediate keepers with patience.