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Origin: Indonesia; South- Borneo(Kalimantan); Metaya river system. Here the fish occur in swampy areas close to the riverbanks of a forest stream. Watervalues: pH 4.6, conductivity 75 mS, Temperature 24 degrees. Linke reports: pH 5.2 and 25 degrees.

Etymology: Named in honour of Dr W. Foersch.

Synonyms: Betta spec. affin foerschi Tangkiling

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

Description:See picture.

Care: Betta foerschi should be kept in a species tank, minimal 60 cm large. Soft acidic water is required, peat filtration is recommended. Tank should be covered well. Frequent small waterchanges as well as hideouts and a dark soil will bring out full coloration. Some plants, including floating plants, and some free swimming space are aslo advisable.

Temperature:23-28 degrees

Feeding: Live and frozen food.

Size:6.5 cm

pH: 4.0-6.5

Breeding: Not too difficult. In a setup as described under the care section, with a bit more acidic water, pH around 4.5, and soft water, KH around zero, the fish will succesfully breed. Ofcourse a varied diet should be supplied to induce eggs in the female. Mouthbrooder, spawns near the bottom, male will carry the eggs and fry for around 8-14 days, up to 45 fry, which are black and around 6 mm long. Fry can immediately be fed artemia.

Sexual dimorphism: males are thinner than the females, and more colorfull. The bands on the gill cover are gold in males, and red in females.

Prices: Netherlands: 36€

Additional: Betta foerschi from different finding places can be slightly different in appearance. It's important not to crossbreed the diffrent type localities, to keep the strains pure. Current known type localities are: Kubu, Mandor, Pudukuali, Tankiling and Tarantang.

Picture references: Picture 1: Oliver Lucanus

References:Baensch, H. A., Riehl, R.(1985): Aquarien Atlas II. Mergus Verlag, Melle, Germany.Richter, H. J. (1979): Das Buch der Labyrinthfische. Verlag Neumann-Neudamm, Melsungen, Germany.

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

If you are interested in this fish please join our anabantoid board

How to obtain these fish:
US and Canada: www.belowwater.com(Wholesale only, so ask your aquariumstore to order them for you)