Home · Osphronemidae · Slender betta
Slender betta (Betta bellica) — Osphronemidae

Slender betta

Betta bellica
Family: Osphronemidae
LC · Least Concern

The Slender betta (Betta bellica) is a freshwater fish of the family Osphronemidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The slender betta is a labyrinth fish from peat swamps and swamp forests of Malaysia and Indonesia in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a slender, elongate body with greenish iridescent scales. As a labyrinth fish it can gulp air at the surface and so tolerate oxygen-poor water. The male builds a bubble nest in which the eggs are reared. The fish is harmless to humans, popular in the aquarium trade and assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Slender betta?

The Slender betta has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly green and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Slender betta live?

The Slender betta lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Slender betta get?

The Slender betta grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Slender betta dangerous to humans?

No, the Slender betta is harmless to humans.

Is the Slender betta edible?

The Slender betta is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Slanke kempvis verified
English name
Slender betta verified
Scientific name
Betta bellica
Family
Osphronemidae
Other names
Slim betta; Striped betta verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Betta

More from the family Osphronemidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →