Betta uberis

Overview

Betta uberis is a small bubble-nesting fish from Bornean peat-swamp forest, suited to keepers able to maintain stable, extremely soft acidic water. It belongs to the coccina group. Its relatively high dorsal-ray count is more useful than red coloration or an optional green flank blotch alone.

Distribution & habitat

Most records lie between the lower Arut and Kumai rivers in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Others come from the Sampit basin and Sukadana in West Kalimantan. It depends on shaded peat forests and associated streams with dark, mineral-poor water.

Leaves, branches, and roots cover the bottom. Seasonal water loss may force survival in moist litter for weeks, but this should not be deliberately reproduced in an aquarium.

Aquarium setup

Allow at least about 45 × 30 cm of floor space. Wood, roots, pots, and pipes provide several refuges. Dried leaves add cover and microbial surfaces that supply supplementary fry food; natural peat is unnecessary. Subdued lighting, shade-tolerant plants, and floating cover are suitable.

Water needs to be acidic, with negligible carbonate hardness and very low general hardness. Reverse-osmosis water or another soft-water source may be necessary. Use gentle sponge filtration and a tight lid, leaving warm humid air above the water for breathing and preventing jumps.

Diet & feeding

Small aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates are probable natural prey. Captive fish generally learn to accept dry food but should receive small live or frozen Daphnia, brine shrimp, or bloodworms regularly. Avoid overfeeding.

Behaviour & compatibility

A species aquarium is usually the dependable choice. Accounts of multiple pairs or one-male groups differ: some show little injury, while others suffer sustained dominant-fish aggression. Successful group housing elsewhere does not guarantee compatibility. Pairs with separation options are easier to manage.

Sexual dimorphism

Mature males become brighter and develop longer fins. Their iridescent green flank blotch may be present or absent.

Breeding

The male builds a bubble nest in a tube, small container, beneath a leaf, or among surface plants. Provide ample escape cover for the female, whom he usually excludes until completion. A tight cover retains humid warmth for developing fry.

Females pale and acquire dark bars before spawning embraces. Eggs are transferred into the nest; fewer than twenty are typical, although broods can reach around fifty. The male takes over care, and adults can usually remain. Hatching takes about 24–48 hours, followed by another three to four days in the nest. Care declines after free swimming, and adults generally leave young uneaten.

Fry immediately take microworms or brine shrimp nauplii, without excessive reliance on the latter. Make regular small water changes.

Notes

Sukadana and Pangkalanbun are historical provisional labels. Fourteen to seventeen dorsal-fin rays help distinguish it from nearby Betta hendra, which has fewer. Check fin characters and provenance alongside color.