Betta Simorum (Betta simorum)

Also known as Sims’ Betta, this is the largest bubble-nesting wild betta, with a slender body and a long tail. It comes from the blackwater peat swamps of Jambi and Riau in Sumatra, and from the Kapuas River system in West Kalimantan, Borneo, all in Indonesia. It is closely related to the Slender Betta (Betta bellica).

This species needs soft, acidic, tannin-stained water and warm temperatures to do well and show its best colour. We recommend a large, well-structured tank with lots of driftwood, leaf litter and dense planting, dim lighting with floating plants, gentle filtration, and a tight-fitting lid, as with all bettas.

Care

• Origin: Indonesia

• Fish size: 9cm+

• Tank size: 76 litres minimum, at least 80cm long

• Temperature: 25-30℃

• pH: 3.0-6.0

• Hardness: 18-90ppm

• Water Flow: Low

• Temperament: relatively peaceful, calm tank mates such as rasboras can work in a large, well-structured tank

• Diet: carnivorous, live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp and daphnia

Breeding

Bubble nester, with the male building a nest at the surface.