Betta house Aquarium

Siamorientalis: derived from Siam, the former name of Thailand, and the Latin orientalis, meaning ‘of the east’, in reference to this species’ type locality in eastern Thailand.

Classification

Order: Perciformes Family: Osphronemidae

Distribution

Currently known only from Chachoengsao, Sa Kaeo, Prachin Buri and Chon Buri provinces in eastern Thailand plus Banteay Meanchey province in western Cambodia (which borders Sa Kaeo) and at least one unspecified locality in Vietnam so it appears to be quite widely-distributed.

Type locality is ‘Sai Hai village (13°42′ N, 101°13′ E), Tha Thonglang subdistrict, Bang Khla district, Chachoengsao province, Thailand’.

Habitat

This species occurs in still or slowly-moving water where it takes shelter and builds its bubble nests (see ‘Reproduction’) among submerged vegetation.

It’s been collected from shallow freshwater marshes, flooded fields and rice paddies plus heavily-vegetated marginal zones of ponds, lagoons, ditches, canals and others water bodies.

The commonest aquatic plants encountered in these habitats during field work were Leersia hexandra (Poaceae) and Eleocharis dulcis (family Cyperaceae).

Sympatric fish species included Trichopsis vittata, Trichopsis shalleri, Trichopsis pumila, Trichopodus trichopterus, Anabas testudineus, Lepidocephalichthys hasselti, Pangio anguillaris, Macrognathus siamensis and Monopterus albus.

Maximum Standard Length

25 – 33 mm.

An aquarium with base measurements of 45 ∗ 30 cm or equivalent is large enough to house a pair.

Maintenance

Driftwood roots and branches can be used and placed such a way that a few shady spots are formed while clay plant pots or lengths of piping can also be included to provide further shelter.

The addition of dried leaf litter further emphasises the natural feel and as well as offering additional cover for the fish brings with it the growth of microbe colonies as decomposition occurs.

These can provide a valuable secondary food source for fry and the tannins and other chemicals released by the decaying leaves are also considered beneficial for fishes from blackwater environments.

There is no need to use natural peat, however, the collection of which is both unsustainable and environmentally-destructive.

As it naturally inhabits sluggish waters filtration should not be too strong, with an air-powered sponge filter set to turn over gently adequate.

Keep the tank well-covered and do not fill it to the top as like all Betta spp. it requires occasional access to the layer of humid air that will form above the water surface, and is an excellent jumper.

Water Conditions

Temperature: 22 – 28 °C

pH: 5.5 – 7.5

Hardness: 18 – 215 ppm

Diet

Likely to feed mostly on insects and other small invertebrates in nature.

Captive fish will normally accept dried products once they’re recognised as edible, but should be offered plenty of small live or frozen foods such as, or bloodworm regularly to ensure development of optimal colour and condition.

Small insects such as newly-hatched crickets or Drosophila fruit flies are also suitable to use; it’s best to fill the stomachs of these by feeding them fish flakes or some kind of vegetable matter before offering them to the fish.

Take care not to overfeed as Betta spp. seem particularly prone to obesity.