Betta splendens can be housed in pairs, species tanks, and community tanks.  Pairs can be housed in a 10 gallon tank, groups should be housed in a 30 gallon tank or larger.  Pairs should be given cover such as caves and plants.  In a pair or species situation it is possible that fry could be discovered in the tanks.  For best results remove a pair to a breeding tank with little to no filtration.

Not critical, splendens is very tolerant of water chemistry and thrives in almost any type of water as long as it is clean and well filtered.  They should be kept at mid 70s to low 80s F.

Males are more intensely colored and might have longer fins while the females will be a browner in color however females should display an ovipositor or egg tube.

Splendens is a surface bubblenester however the male may make a nest under objects on the surface of the water.  Males normally initiate spawning and entice females to the nest for spawning.

Original Citation

Regan, C. T. 1910. [84]

References

Suvatti, C., 1981. [96]
Riehl, R. and H.A. Baensch, 1991. [85]
Welcomme, R.L., 1988. [112]
Hinegardner, R. and D.E. Rosen., 1972. [49]
Post, A., 1965. [81]
Robins, C.R., R.M. Bailey, C.E. Bond, J.R. Brooker, E.A. Lachner, R.N. Lea and W.B. Scott, 1991. [89]
Robins, C.R., R.M. Bailey, C.E. Bond, J.R. Brooker, E.A. Lachner, R.N. Lea and W.B. Scott, 1991. [88]
Taki, Y., 1974. [98]
Mohsin, A.K.M. and M.A. Ambak, 1983. [66]
Chou, L.M. and T.J. Lam, 1989. [35]
Mills, D. and G. Vevers, 1989. [65]
Gyldenholm, A.O. and J.J. Scheel., 1974. [46]
Hugg, D.O., 1996. [50]
Coad, B.W., 1995. [36]
Rainboth, W.J., 1996. [82]
Taki, Y., 1978. [99]
Lever, C., 1996. [62]
Riehl, R. and H.A. Baensch, 1996. [86]
Witte, K-E. and J. Schmidt, 1992. [113]
Svardson, G. and T. Wickbom, 1942. [97]
Arkhipchuk, V.A., 1999. [21]
Rassa, T.S., 1983. [83]
Baird, I. G., V. Inthaphaisy, P. Kisouvannalath, B. Phylavanh and B. Mounsouphom, 1999. [29]
Klinkhardt, M, M. Tesche and H. Greven, 1995. [52]
Liebetrau, Sue. The "Other" Bettas. 1975. [123]

Type Locality

Menam R. [= Mae Nam Chao Phraya], Thailand.

Lectotype

BMNH 1898.11.8.95

Paratype

(8) BMNH 1897.12.28.36 (1), 1897.1.28.6-8 (now. 2), 1898.11.8.96-97 (2)
ZMA 114490 (1)

Where Found

Countries:

Brazil (Introduced);
Cambodia;
Colombia (Introduced);
Dominican Republic (Introduced, 1979) During hurricane 'David', B. splendens escaped, presumably from a tropical fish farm or a private aquarist, into the polluted waters of the Rio Ozama where they are now abundant. [62];
Laos;Malaysia (Introduced);
Singapore (Introduced);
Thailand;Viet Nam

Known Occurrences:

Laos: Grenze Laos
Laos: Rice Paddy At Kilometer 10, Highway 13 Northwest Of Vientiane, Station CWH-72-II-06
Malaysia:
Malaysia: Kwala Lumpur
Singapore: Station AQMAT-MTI-JC-80-XI A
Singapore: Mandai Road
Singapore: Sungei Kallang outlet from Peirce Reservoir
Thailand: 325 km, südl. Bangkok
Thailand: Banghen, nördl., Bangkok
Thailand: Canal 25 miles East of Bangkok
Thailand: Korat
Thailand: N Siam: Meping At Chomtong
Thailand: N Siam: Nam Nekhieu
Thailand: Pattaya, 100km südl. Bankok
Thailand: Siam: N. Meping R. At Chiengmai
Thailand: Small reservoir in swamp area near Botirupe (or Patirup) village, on highway 2032 to Si Songkhram about 60-65 km
Viet Nam: Cochinchine (10 46.0 N 106 43.0 E)
Viet Nam: Saigon

Miscellaneous Information

Max Size:

6.5 cm TL

pH range:

6.0 - 8.0

dH range:

5.0 - 19.0

Temperature range:

24 - 30°C

Reproduction:

Builds bubble-nest which is guarded by male [85]

Biotope:

Occur in standing waters of floodplains, canals, rice paddies and medium to large rivers. [82]

Genetics:

Chromosomes: n=21 [21]

Diet:

Feeds on zooplankton, mosquito and other insect larvae [82]