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No federal permit to keepAkar betta
Betta akarensis
Fishes › Gouramis, bettas, snakeheads (Anabantiformes) › Osphronemidae (Gouramis and bettas)
Betta akarensis, the Akar betta, is a species of gourami endemic to south-east Sarawak, and whose species name akar was so named after where it was originally found in the river Sungai Akar.
Care at a glance
Species-specific aquarium care
- Tank: At least 30 in long and 12 in front to back for one adult (adults commonly reach about 5.5 in / 14 cm).
- Water: Freshwater.
- Temperature: 70–81°F (range recorded for this species).
- pH: 5.5–6.8.
- Hardness: 0–12 dGH.
- Layout: Uses both the bottom and open water: give open swimming space plus cover near the substrate.
Calculated from this species' own FishBase record: tank size from its typical adult length and swimming zone, water values from its recorded ranges. The group guide below fills in general care.
Care guide
Species care notes
- Tank: a base of at least 24 × 12 in (roughly 14 US gallons); space needed is rated “modest tank”.
- Water: a fairly wide range, from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline, 70–81 °F, pH 5.5–7.5, 0–12 dGH.
- Behaviour: in a pair; not a community fish.
- Difficulty: Easy (Seriously Fish rating).
Short excerpts from the species profile:
- Setup: “Can be maintained in a fully-decorated aquarium although many breeders prefer not to use a substrate for ease of maintenance.”
- Diet: “Preys on insects and other invertebrates in nature with very small fish perhaps being taken as well.”
- Tankmates: “Not a recommended choice for the standard community set-up for reasons already touched upon.”
From the Seriously Fish profile for this species, which has the full habitat, maintenance, diet, behaviour and breeding write-up 167
Bettas (fighting fish)
Applies to most species in this group. Habitat: Shallow rice paddies and marshes. Individual species can differ, so compare with the species numbers above and the linked sources.
Housing & setup
- A heated, filtered tank of at least 5 gallons, with gentle flow and plants.
- Domestic B. splendens should generally be maintained alone. Other Betta species need their own compatibility plan; B. imbellis can be maintained as a pair with adequate cover.
Diet
- Betta pellets plus frozen foods.
Social life
- Use species-specific social housing: B. splendens alone under the detailed Seriously Fish recommendation; B. imbellis may be housed as a compatible pair.
Health watch
- Fin rot in dirty water; never keep bettas in tiny unheated bowls.
Understanding the animal
About this animal
About this animal
This species is a mouthbrooder, and grows to a length of 10 centimetres (3.9 in) SL. According to Linke, they "live predominantly in mineral-poor, slightly acid water enriched with humic substances".
Quoted from the Wikipedia article “Betta akarensis” (CC BY-SA 4.0) 174
In the wild
In the wild
From this species’ own FishBase record (habitat, bottom type, water and breeding data), not its family. Good care copies these conditions.1
| Where it lives | Lives in freshwater. Uses both the bottom and open water. Occurs in habitats ranging from peat swamp forest to acid water swamp forest. |
| Water it lives in | Freshwater, 70–81 °F (21–27 °C), pH 5.5–6.8, hardness 12 dH. |
| Climate | Tropical climate. |
| Behavior to plan for | Breeding: external brooders. |
What this means for care
- Keep water within its wild range, 70–81 °F.
Native climate (measured)
Native climate (measured)
| Warm-season highs | about 89°F (up to 90°F in the hottest sampled areas) |
| Cool-season lows | about 73°F (down to 72°F in the coldest sampled areas) |
| Average temperature | 80–81°F across sampled records |
| Relative humidity | 80–82% on average (driest month about 78%) |
| Rainfall | about 3224 mm a year, spread fairly evenly |
Measured at 6 wild occurrence records sampled against WorldClim 2.1 climate data (1970–2000 averages). Air conditions in the range are ecological context, not enclosure settings: microhabitats such as burrows, leaf litter or basking rocks can be cooler, warmer or more humid.
From the sources
From the sources
Quoted from the matching sections of reputable sources for this exact species. Specialist databases are used first; Wikipedia (community-edited, CC BY-SA 4.0) only fills gaps. Other sources are short credited quotes.
| Overview | Betta akarensis, the Akar betta, is a species of gourami endemic to south-east Sarawak, and whose species name akar was so named after where it was originally found in the river Sungai Akar. This species is a mouthbrooder, and grows to a length of 10 cm SL. According to Linke, they "live predominantly in mineral-poor, slightly acid water enriched with humic substances". — Wikipedia (community-edited) |
| Where it lives | Home ranges Population dynamics Growth parameters Max. ages / sizes Length-weight rel. Length-frequencies Mass conversion Recruitment Abundance Life cycle Reproduction Maturity Maturity/Gills rel. — FishBase |
| Wild diet | Betta akarensis preys on insects such as Drosophila spp. (fruit flies) that lie on the surface and has been seen taking very small fish as well. — Wikipedia (community-edited) |
| Reproduction | A paternal mouth brooder, exhibiting the typical egg exchange between female and male. After the nuptial embrace, the female picks up the fertilized egg from the male's curved body, proceeds to transfer the eggs to the male for oral brooding by spitting out the eggs and the male gulps the eggs into its buccal sac. — FishBase |
| Appearance and size | Betta akarensis is a fish that measures 14 cm (5.5 in). Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7–8; Anal spines: 1–2; Anal soft rays: 26–28; Vertebrae: 31–32. — Wikipedia (community-edited) |
| Biology | Facultative air-breathing; Occurs in habitats ranging from peat swamp forest to acid water swamp forest. Normally found in a more stagnant sections of streams among the submerged leaf litter and overhanging bank vegetation. — FishBase |
Data and studies
The numbers
The numbers
Each bar is what one source reports. Where several sources weigh in, the dashed gold band marks their average.
Adult length
Maximum recorded length. Measured as total length. Fish in home aquariums often stay smaller than wild records.
Water temperature
Range the species tolerates in nature; aim for the middle.
Water hardness
Minimum tank footprint
Seriously Fish recommends a tank base of at least 24 × 12 in (about 14 US gallons).
Sources for this sheet
- FishBase (Froese & Pauly, eds.), version 24.07 Peer-reviewed researchThe global scientific database on fishes, maintained by a consortium of research institutions; every value is referenced.
- Seriously Fish species profiles Experienced keeper or breederLong-running aquarium reference written and peer-checked by experienced fishkeepers and ichthyologists; each profile covers habitat, tank size, water, diet, behaviour and breeding.
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Management of aquarium fish Zoo, university or veterinaryThe Merck Veterinary Manual: a standard veterinary reference written and reviewed by veterinary specialists.
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Types and features of aquatic systems Zoo, university or veterinaryThe Merck Veterinary Manual: a standard veterinary reference written and reviewed by veterinary specialists.
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Nutritional diseases of fish Zoo, university or veterinaryThe Merck Veterinary Manual: a standard veterinary reference written and reviewed by veterinary specialists.
- Seriously Fish — Betta splendens Zoo, university or veterinaryAdded in the 2026 source-checked care-guide review.
- Seriously Fish — Betta imbellis Zoo, university or veterinaryAdded in the 2026 source-checked care-guide review.
- Wikipedia (species article) Community referenceFree encyclopedia; useful overviews with their own citations. Intro text is quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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