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No federal permit to keepBalunga Betta
Betta balunga
Fishes › Gouramis, bettas, snakeheads (Anabantiformes) › Osphronemidae (Gouramis and bettas)
Betta balunga is a species of gourami endemic to the island of Borneo, and whose species name derives from the location where it was first described - the Balung River in Sabah, eastern Malaysia.
Care at a glance
Species-specific aquarium care
- Tank: At least 24 in long and 12 in front to back for one adult (adults commonly reach about 1.9 in / 4.93 cm).
- Water: Freshwater.
- Temperature: 70–81°F (range recorded for this species).
- pH: 5.2–7.
- Hardness: 0–10 dGH.
- Layout: Uses both the bottom and open water: give open swimming space plus cover near the substrate.
- Availability: Rarely or never seen in the aquarium trade; expect to source it from specialists or not at all.
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: soft, acidic water, 72–81 °F, pH 5–7, 1–5 dGH.
- Behaviour: temperament species tank; in a pair; not a community fish.
- Difficulty: Moderate (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: “Likely to prey on insects.”
- Tankmates: “Not recommended 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
It inhabits forest and blackwater streams, and grows to a length of 4.9 cm (1.9 in).
Quoted from the Wikipedia article “Betta balunga” (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. Found in forest streams with moderate current, very shallow water among plant roots and submerged leaf litter along the banks. Also occurs in slow flowing black water streams among submerged stream bank vegetation and submerged leaf litter. |
| Water it lives in | Freshwater, 70–81 °F (21–27 °C), pH 5.2–7, hardness 10 dH. |
| Climate | Tropical climate. |
What this means for care
- Keep water within its wild range, 70–81 °F.
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 balunga is a species of gourami endemic to the island of Borneo, and whose species name derives from the location where it was first described - the Balung River in Sabah, eastern Malaysia. It inhabits forest and blackwater streams, and grows to a length of 4.9 cm. — 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 |
| Reproduction | Betta balunga is a paternal mouthbrooder, which means that the fry are incubated in the male's mouth. The female plays the more active role in initiating courtship and defending the area against intruders. After courting, eggs and milt are released during an "embrace" typical of gouramis in which the male wraps his body around that of the female, and several "practice" embraces may be required beforehand. — Wikipedia (community-edited) |
| Biology | Facultative air-breathing; Found in forest streams with moderate current, very shallow water among plant roots and submerged leaf litter along the banks. Also occurs in slow flowing black water streams among submerged stream bank vegetation and submerged leaf litter. — 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 standard length (snout to the base of the tail, not counting the tail fin). 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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