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Brunei beauty (Betta macrostoma) — Osphronemidae

Brunei beauty

Betta macrostoma
Family: Osphronemidae

The Brunei beauty (Betta macrostoma) is a freshwater fish of the family Osphronemidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Brunei Darsm, Indonesia, Malaysia
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Brunei beauty is a labyrinth fish or fighting fish (Osphronemidae) from shallow, slow-flowing fresh water of Borneo in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 5-10 cm and has a slender body; males are orange-red with black markings; it is a mouthbrooder. As a labyrinth fish it can gulp air at the surface in oxygen-poor water. It lives among leaf litter and water plants of streams and swamps and eats small invertebrates, larvae and insects. The fish is harmless to humans and is popular in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brunei beauty?

The Brunei beauty has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Brunei beauty live?

The Brunei beauty lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Asia: Brunei Darsm, Indonesia, Malaysia

How big does the Brunei beauty get?

The Brunei beauty grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Brunei beauty dangerous to humans?

No, the Brunei beauty is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Brunei beauty edible?

Yes, the Brunei beauty is commonly eaten.

More photos

Brunei beauty (Betta macrostoma) — Osphronemidae — 2
Phil Crabb (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — NHMUK
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Brunei beauty sourced
Scientific name
Betta macrostoma
Family
Osphronemidae
Other names
Orangecheek betta; Peacock betta; Spotfin betta verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.7 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Asia: Brunei Darsm, Indonesia, Malaysia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Betta

More from the family Osphronemidae

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