Betta rubra
The Betta rubra naturally inhabits bodies of water located in the central province of Aceh, northwestern Sumatra, Indonesia. The fish was first described in 2009 and until 2013 was named Betta dennisyongi, after Dennis Yong Gong Chong, an outstanding naturalist well known among researchers of tropical flora and fauna of Southeast Asia, until it was classified as an independent species.
The fish inhabit rivers, streams, and marshes located in hilly areas. The water in these reservoirs has a brownish coloration due to humic acids released from a thick layer of silt, fallen tree leaves, clay, and sand. The fish are recommended for experienced aquarists.
The body coloration of the Betta rubra is red-gray. Along the body, from the head to the root of the tail plumage, there is a longitudinal stripe consisting of large dark or bright red spots. Males are more colorful, have larger elongated unpaired fins and slightly larger than females. The size of the fish is 3-3.5 cm.
Betta rubra has a belligerent nature. The males are constantly in conflict with each other. Especially aggressive fish become in small aquariums. Despite the fact that the clashes end without special consequences for the warring parties, nevertheless, the losing fish will be in a depressed state and it will constantly have to hide in various hiding places. In this regard, in small aquariums, it is desirable to contain no more than 1 male, the ideal proportion: 1 male and 2-3 females. Perhaps the content of cockerels red in a common aquarium with other peace-loving fish.
At the bottom of the aquarium preferably place a leaf bed of pre-dried leaves of beech or oak, which in addition will bring aquarium conditions to natural, as well as in the process of their decomposition, will contribute to the development of colonies of microbes, which are good additional food for fry. In addition, you can place snags, tree branches and ceramic pots placed on their sides on the bottom, which will serve as shelters for the fish.
Water parameters: temperature 22-27° C, hardness dH 1-5°, acidity pH 5,0-7,0. Filtration should not be too strong. Pisces breathe atmospheric air floating on the water surface and are very sensitive to its temperature, so the aquarium top should be tightly covered with a cover or plate glass.
Betta rubra in nature feed on small invertebrates and insects. In aquariums, fish are fed a variety of dry food, as well as live and frozen: daphnia, artemia, chironomid. Fish are prone to obesity, so try not to overfeed them.
Reproduction
Breeding Betta rubra should be in a spawning tank. The spawning tank should be tightly covered with a lid (some aquarists stretch film on top of the spawning tank to avoid gaps), because fry need access to a layer of warm, moist air, without which their labial breathing organ can not develop properly.
During mating games, the male embraces the female with his body, while the female hatches a small batch of eggs. This continues until the female spawns completely. All this time, the male collects all the eggs in his mouth.
The male incubates the eggs in his mouth for 10-17 days. All this time the male should not be disturbed, because in case of the slightest stress he may swallow all the eggs.
The mouth of the male leaves the fully formed fry. Fry are large enough and from the first days of their lives can feed on Artemia nauplii. Feed the fry need 2-3 times a day in small portions. To prevent intestinal diseases need daily substitution of 1/10th of the aquarium water with fresh.
Life expectancy Betta rubra in an aquarium environment is about 3 years.
