Foersch's Betta (Betta foerschi) Care Guide
Betta foerschi is a mouthbrooding wild betta endemic to southern Borneo, kept in soft, acidic forest-stream water.
Overview
Betta foerschi is a wild betta of the family Osphronemidae, described by Vierke in 1979. It is endemic to the island of Borneo, known from the southern portion, with records in Kalimantan Tengah (Central Kalimantan) and around Kubu in Kalimantan Barat (West Kalimantan), Indonesia. The species name honours German aquarist Walter Foersch.
Taxonomy
- Family: Osphronemidae
- Genus: Betta
- Scientific name: Betta foerschi
- Described: Vierke, 1979
Habitat
According to Seriously Fish and Wikipedia, Betta foerschi inhabits shaded forest swamps and rainforest creeks with shallow, acidic, leaf-strewn water in its native southern Borneo range.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 40 L
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
- pH: 4.5-6.5
- GH: 1-6 °dGH
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
- Water flow: low; shaded setup with leaf litter
Diet
Betta foerschi is carnivorous. Seriously Fish notes it prefers small live or frozen invertebrates such as bloodworm, brine shrimp and water fleas, although captive specimens may accept dried foods.
Compatibility
A mid-water fish that can be territorial and aggressive toward conspecifics. Seriously Fish recommends keeping it alone or with very peaceful species; reports on multiple-pair groupings are conflicting regarding sustained aggression.
Breeding
Betta foerschi is a paternal mouthbrooder. According to Seriously Fish, it shows an unusual reproductive behaviour in which eggs are caught in the female's anal fin before the male collects them orally to incubate.
Conservation status
Wikipedia reports Betta foerschi as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, reflecting its restricted distribution.