Betta Antuta Pair (Betta sp. “Antuta”)

This is an undescribed wild mouthbrooding betta from Bulungan Regency in East Kalimantan, northern Borneo, Indonesia, sometimes sold as “Antuta/Bulungan”. It appears to belong to the Betta unimaculata complex, one of the larger-growing groups in the genus. Its habitat is thought to be flowing highland streams rather than swamps. Males grow larger than females, with more iridescent scaling on the head and body and extended fins, and a stockier head from carrying the eggs and fry. This listing is for a male and female pair.

Unlike most wild bettas, this is a clearwater species that prefers a little water movement. It is relatively peaceful for a large betta, and in a big tank with plenty of hiding places and broken lines of sight it can be kept as a group, although males will squabble. We recommend dim lighting, driftwood, clay pots or lengths of pipe for shelter, and dried beech or oak leaf litter. We don’t recommend Catappa leaf for this species, as it leaches a lot of tannins that may harm a clearwater fish. We recommend a tight-fitting lid, and not filling the tank to the top, as these fish are excellent jumpers.

Care

• Origin: Indonesia

• Fish size: up to 12cm

• Tank size: 72 litres minimum for a pair, at least 80cm long

• Temperature: 21-27℃

• pH: 5.5-7.5

• Hardness: 0-10dGH

• Water Flow: Low to medium

• Temperament: relatively peaceful, not for a community tank

• Diet: carnivorous, live and frozen foods such as daphnia, brine shrimp, bloodworm and the occasional small earthworm, and will accept dried foods once settled

Breeding

Paternal mouthbrooder, and it has been bred in aquariums.