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Betta burdigala, Kottelat & Ng, 1994
Origin:Indonesia;
Banka, near Toboali, in shady waters, and Borneo, in the vicinity of Kubu.
Etymology: Burdigala means burgundy red.
Synonyms:Betta
cf. burdigala "Kubu".
First European import: Germany, 1993 by Horst Linke.
Description:See pictures, the Kubu variety has more spines in the dorsal fin, and blue iridescent scales on the body.
Care:See
also B. coccina. In the terra typica the following circumstances have been
described by Neugebauer(1998): pH 3.78, conductivity 20 Microsiemens and a temperature
of 24.1 degrees, in this environment Betta burdigala inhabits the quiet
densely grown areas of blackwater rivers, streams and swamps. Betta burdigala
can be kept in species tanks in pairs, or in a bit larger 60 cm tanks for example
together with Rasbora maculata and or Rasbora axelrodi. In larger
tanks several pairs can be kept together, as long as enough suitable territoria
are present. Betta burdigala from Kubu is less aggressiv than it's cousin
from Banka, and is also better suited to keep in community tanks. To keep these
fish, soft acidic water is required, hardness below 10 dGH, and pH 6.0 or lower.
A dark soil, some densely planted zones, and shaded areas contibute to the fish's
well-being. The temperature should be in the lower and middle regions, well filtered
water(peat) but only a little current! Betta burdigala has a strong dislike
for fast flowing water, and doesn't require well oxygenated water, but is sensitive
to pollution, and will show dark spots if too much organic material is present
in the tank.
Temperature:22-26 degrees
Feeding:Live food, sometimes frozen food is also accepted.
Size: 5.5-6cm.
pH:
4.0-6.0
Breeding:
Can be done in small 30*20*20 tanks with floating plants and lots of driftwood.
Peat filtered soft water is required, frequent waterchanges(Weekly 30%). It's
best to do the waterchanges with water of a slightly higher pH and a bit cooler,
causing the pH to go up for a short while and simultaneously reducing the temperature
with 1 or 2 degrees, since this mimics the natural circumstances at the start
of the rainseason. The male will build a thick 4-5 cm diameter bubblenest, consisting
of small bubbles, which can rise up to 2 cm above the waterlevel. Many breeders
also use plastic 45mm PVC tubes, hanging near the surface below a piece of styropoam.
The parents do not eat the fry, and often breed again within two 
weeks.You
may also want to read an article about
Betta burdigala by Stephan van der Voort.
Sexual dimorphism:Males have elongated dorsal and anal fin tips, females ready to breed have a clearly visible protruding white ovipositor.
Prices:Netherlands: 15€
Additional: If not kept in proper conditions the fish will easily contract velvet, especially the kubu variety seems sensitive to this disease. Treating the disease is best done using plain kitchensalt, 1 gram per liter. See also diseases.
Picture references:Picture 1: Klaus Weissenberg.All other pictures E. Naus
References: Schäfer, F.(1997): Aqualog-all Labyrinths; Neugebauer, N.(1998): Bangka, an island of Anabantoids. Labyrinth 99, p.p.4-6.
If you have any comments or additional information on this fish please mail to aquaworld.