Species Complex Management Program

The acceleration of the decline and threat to species Bettas calls for immediate action to ensure each species’ survival. It is the goal of the IBC Species Maintenance Program through its Species Complex Management Program to guarantee the continued existence of each species. If not in the wild then in captivity so that no species will become extinct.

The SMP-SCM aims to create a stable captive population through the creation of a genetic database to guarantee genetic variation. The initial goal is to have at least six viable unrelated pairs of every species. These species will be bred and distributed to those willing to join the IBC SMP.

Stock Bank. It is our goal to create a pool of genetic material so that anyone joining a SMP Complex group can make a withdrawal of stock and work with that stock and then contribute back to the Stock Bank. Guidelines are currently being developed.

Concept. To have people working on breeding particular groups of Betta species in a Complex. The complexes are as follows:

• Akarensis Complex:  akarensis, aurigans, balunga, chini, ibanorum, pinguis, obscura
• Albimarginata Complex: albimarginata, channoides
• Anabatoides Complex: anabatoides
• Bellica Complex:  bellica, simorum
• Coccina Complex:  brownorum, burdigala, coccina, livida, miniopinna, persephone, tussyae, rutilans
• Foerschi Complex:  foerschi, rubra, strohi
• Picta Complex:  falx, picta, pallida, simplex, taeniata 
• Pugnax Complex:  breviobesus, cracens, enisae, fusca, lehi, prima, pugnax, pulchra, schalleri, stigmosus, rajan
• Splendens Complex:  imbellis, smaragdina, splendens, stiktos
• Unimaculata Complex:  gladiator, macrostoma, pallifina, patoti, ocellata, unimaculata
• Waseri Complex:  chlorophaynx, hipposideros, pi, renata, spilotogena, tomi, waseri

Record Keeping is the primary responsibility of each breeder. All species in the SMP SCM has been assigned a code. Each breeder fish given a code must be tracked and the death of the breeder must be notated. The following information must be recorded at each spawning. pH, temperature, water volume, feed, tank set-up (including filtration, substrate, plants), hardness, and when available, TDS and conductivity. Results of the spawn and if possible to raise the spawn to a size where the sex ratio and numbers can be determined.

This information will be vital to ensure a wide range of genetic variability of the stock. Additionally the SMP recognizes local variations of species and will do our best to preserve species with local variations, example B. imbellis “Ko Samui”. If a situation arises where there is not enough stock, the species takes priority and will be bred. When the situation presents itself the local material takes priority and will be obtained to be preserved and maintained.