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Origin: Thailand, Bori Pat river. Linke describes he found the fish in the river, which is on average 5-6 meters wide, and between 30 and 60 cm deep. Lot's of dead leaves, and densely grown banks, where the fish predominantly occur. pH in February: 6.3, 51 microsiemens, 25,5 degrees celsius and 1 KH, 2 dGH.

Etymology: ferox(L): wild

Synonyms: None, previously the fish were labelled as Betta pugnax

First European import: Germany, 1975, by R. Geisler

Description: The fish look similar to Betta pugnax, a bit stockier, with short ventral fins and an only slightly pointed caudal tail with 1 or 2 elongated filaments.

Care: Betta ferox should be kept in larger, well filtered, tanks, 60 cm minimum, and is best kept in pairs. The fish are not very aggressive, in a somewhat larger aquarium 2 pairs can easily be kept. Clear or slightly tanned water, some driftwood and plants, pH slighly acidic . The fish will usually inhabit the lower and middle regions of a tank, and are in general peacefull and quiet inhabitants. Cover the tank well, the fish are excellent jumpers.

Temperature:21-25 degrees Celsius

Feeding: Live food, earthworms, small crickets, and red/white/black mosquito larvae, but alsofrozen food, flake, pellets.

Size: up to 14 cm.

pH: 5.5-7.5 Hardness 1-8

Breeding: Easy. Mouthbreeder, the male is the mouthbreeder, while the female defends the territorium against possible intruders. To get Betta ferox to breed the water schould be soft dGH below 2. If the fish are kept as described in the care section breeding may occur, provided the fish are fed well and the amount of organic waste is low. After a breeding period of around 15 days around 40, sometimes more, fry are released by the male.

Sexual dimorphism: Females show vertical stripes in the abdominal region, the males have a dark horizontal stripe.

Prices:Unknown.

Additional: The parents do not eat the fry, however, older siblings will eat the new generations.

Picture references: Currently no picture available, if you have a picture that you are willing to share please mail!

References
Vierke, J. (1988): Bettas, gouramis and other anabantoids (Labyrinth fishes of the world), T.F.H. Publications, inc.

Linke, H.(1980): Labyrinthfische - Farbe im Aquarium. Tetra Verlag, Melle, Germany.

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