Pontian Betta

About

Found only in a narrow strip of Johor in West Malaysia, Betta pulchra is a member of the B. pugnax complex. A group of closely related bettas sharing brown bodies adorned with iridescent green or blue spots, lanceolate tails, and relatively large heads. This species is distinguished from its cousins by a chin bar, transverse bars in the caudal fin, iridescent green scales on the cheek, and a narrowly lanceolate tail in males. In the wild it lives among the dense bankside vegetation of blackwater irrigation canals running through peat swamp forests, environments that are highly acidic and stained dark with tannins. Like all anabantoids, it uses a labyrinth organ to breathe atmospheric air, which becomes especially important in these oxygen-poor waters. Behaviorally it is a gentle fish, easily bullied by larger or more boisterous tankmates. Small, peaceful cyprinids or loaches from similar habitats are better companions than typical community fish. It can be kept as a pair or small group, and does display interesting social behavior in larger groups. The breeding behavior is particularly rewarding: the male carries fertilised eggs in his mouth for up to two weeks before releasing free-swimming fry. Keeping the tank tightly covered is important for healthy fry development.