Betta smaragdina Ladiges, 1972
Blue betta
Betta smaragdina
photo by Hippocampus-Bildarchiv

Family:  Osphronemidae (Gouramies), subfamily: Macropodusinae
Max. size:  7 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 6 - 8; dH range: 5 - 19
Distribution:  Asia: Mekong and Chao Phraya basins.
Diagnosis:  Anal spines: 4-5; Anal soft rays: 22-26. Head length 4.0-4.5 times in SL; male with anal fin extending to end of caudal fin; stripes on body faint, adult male reddish brown with an iridescent blue or green spot on each scale; anal and caudal fins blue with red rays; female brown with 2 darker stripes (Ref. 43281).
Biology:  Bubble nest builder (Ref. 4537).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 19 January 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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