Betta Albimarginata Breeders
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Betta albimarginata Care & Requirements
Common name: Borneo Mouthbrooding Betta · Origin: Kalimantan (Borneo), Indonesia · Adult size: ~5–6 cm (2–2.4") · Lifespan: 3–5 years with good husbandry.
Water & Tank Parameters
| Temperature | 76–80 °F (24–27 °C) ideal; workable 74–82 °F (23–28 °C) |
| pH | ~4.5–6.5 (acidic blackwater). Captive lines may tolerate up to ~6.8 if acclimated slowly. |
| Hardness | Very soft–soft (~1–5 dGH; 0–2 dKH). Low TDS (?30–120 ppm). |
| Tank size | Pair: 10–15 gal (long footprint preferred). Small group: 20 gal long+ with dense cover. |
| Filtration & flow | Gentle flow; sponge or baffled filter. Avoid strong currents; keep good oxygenation. |
| Aquascape | Leaf litter & botanicals (catappa/oak), driftwood, fine-leaf plants. Subdued light; blackwater tint beneficial. |
| Cover | Tight-fitting lid (labyrinth fish; known jumpers). Warm, humid air above water line. |
Diet & Behavior
Diet: Carnivorous micro-predator; thrives on varied live and frozen foods (baby brine shrimp, daphnia, mosquito larvae, grindal/white worms). High-quality micro-pellets can be accepted after conditioning.
Temperament: Peaceful, pair-oriented wild betta. Best in species tanks or with very calm, soft-water companions. Provide visual barriers to reduce stress.
Breeding (Paternal Mouthbrooder)
- Sexes form pairs; male incubates eggs/fry in the mouth (typical of the pugnax group).
- Condition with small live foods; keep temperature ~78–80 °F and water very soft/acidic.
- After spawning, male holds ~10–14 days. Minimize disturbance; provide dim light and cover.
- Fry are relatively large; start with infusoria/micro foods and quickly progress to newly hatched brine shrimp.
Compatibility Notes
Best in a dedicated species setup. If mixing, choose tiny, calm blackwater fish (e.g., small rasboras) and avoid fin-nippers or boisterous species. Maintain dense cover and broken sightlines.
Quick Tips
- Prioritize stability over chasing exact numbers.
- RO/DI + botanicals help replicate tannin-rich blackwater; remineralize lightly as needed.
- Keep a tight lid—wild bettas jump.
Sources
- SeriouslyFish: Betta albimarginata profile (wild betta husbandry, water chemistry, behavior).
- FishBase: Betta albimarginata (taxonomy, distribution, basic ecology).
- IUCN Red List: Betta albimarginata assessment (distribution, conservation context).
Exact locality variants may prefer slightly different chemistry; captive-bred lines are often more forgiving than wild-caught. Always verify with your breeder’s notes.
