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Betta edithae, Vierke, 1984

Origin: Indonesia; South-Borneo(Kalimantan), Bangka, Bintan, Kubu, and Sumatra(Palembang), where the fish occur in forest swamps close to the river bank.

Etymology: Named after Edith Korthaus.

Synonyms:Betta spec. affin taeniata, Betta taeniata

First European import: Germany, 1978, by E. Korthaus and W. Foersch (& Hanrieder?).

Description: See pictures.

Care: The fish require a large tank, 80 cm minimum, since they tend to be shy if kept in smaller tanks. Provide the fish with some hideouts created with driftwood or similar, and some planted regions in the back of the tank. Shaded areas created with floating plants or by tempered light are necessary, as well as a tight tank cover. Dark soil and slightly acidic water are not really necessary, but increase the well being of the animals, and bring out the coloration. Frequent waterchanges since some forms are very susceptible to waterquality, and easily contract diseases(especially fungus and oodinium) if kept in dirty water.

Temperature: 23-26 degrees.

Feeding: Will eat all food they can master, including flake food.

Size:6.5 cm

pH: 6.5-7.5

Breeding:Mouthbreeder, will spawn in community tank, which actually works better than keeping a pair separated in a breeding tank. After a male with eggs is spotted it can be caught and transferred to a breeding tank filled with water from the community tank. After 9-12 days the fry are released by the father, after which it's better to remove him. Up to 125 fry have been reported by dr. W. Foersch.

Sexual dimorphism: See pictures. Females are less colorful.

Prices:Unk

Additional: Betta edithae have been described to spawn near the surface, as well as at the bottom of the tank, which is more common in mouthbreeding bettas.

Picture references: Picture 1 + 5 : Courtesy Kampffischesaquarium. Picture 2, 3+ 4: E. Naus

References:Baensch, H. A., Riehl, R.(1982): Aquarien Atlas I. Mergus Verlag, Melle, Germany.(click on the link to buy this book)

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

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