Betta dimidiata
Betta dimidiata was described by Roberts in 1989. The species name dimidiata means halved. This refers to the slender physique. They can reach a total length of about 7 centimeters.
Origin
Sanggau area – Hulu area; Borneo.
Sungai Gentu; Borneo.
Sungai Tekam; Borneo.
Sintang; Kalimantan.
Mandai Ketchil River; Indonesia.
Sungai Seriang; Indonesia.
Keeping Betta dimidiata
Betta dimidiata must be kept in groups otherwise they do not feel comfortable. Therefore the tank should not be too small, for a group of 6 specimens a densely planted aquarium from 80 centimeters in length is recommended.
What plays a very big role in the optimal care of the Betta is the water quality; Betta dimidiata requires very clean water and must be kept that way. In the wild the species occurs in reasonably acidic and soft water; pH 5.2 to 6.5, GH 0 to 1, KH 0 to 1, a TDS of 20 with a temperature of 27°C. The color of the water was light brown. It is advisable to keep the temperature 1° to 2°C lower .
Because Betta dimidiata must be kept in groups, enough hiding places must be created. The best way to do this is through good planting with some wood here and there. Betta dimidiata is not an aggressive species and can be kept together with other species. It is also very unwise to keep very aggressive species in company.
Breeding Betta dimidiata
For reproduction, it is important to keep them in a group . They reproduce more readily in a group than in pairs. The behavior of the group is remarkable and not seen in any other Betta species; the group protects the breeding pair from the others in the aquarium.
Betta dimidiata is a mouthbreeder whose male is estimated to have between 30 and 40 eggs in the mouth. The female grabs the eggs after each entanglement and then spits them at the male, it can sometimes take a very long time for this to actually happen. This species incubates for about 10 days before releasing the young.
Video
Authors
Wendy Büchly and Stefan vd Voort – Dutch Association for Labyrinth Fish
Published in consultation with the board
Copyright images
K. Sasaki
E. Naus
