Betta bellica

(Sauvage, 1884)

Vernacular names

English : Slender betta
French : Combattant belliqueux

Classification

Class : Teleostei
Order : Anabantiformes
Family : Osphronemidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification

Adults can grow up to 10 cm in length. Male has elongated anal and caudal fins. Coloration pinkish-brown for female (with faint longitudinal bands), male darker. Vertical clear spot on flank scales. All fins have clear edge and light spotting.

Range and habitat

The species occurs in South-East Asia, in central east and west peninsular Malaysia, in south Peninsular Malaysia and nearby central-east Sumatra. Found in blackwater marshes in peat swamp forests, freshwater swamps.

Conservation

IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is still relatively common in the wild but the conversion of peat swamp forests to agricultural land is a long term important threat.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation