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Phang Nga betta (Betta pallida) — Osphronemidae

Phang Nga betta

Betta pallida
Family: Osphronemidae

The Phang Nga betta (Betta pallida) is a freshwater fish of the family Osphronemidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
3.3 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Thailand

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Description

The Phang Nga betta is a labyrinth fish or fighting fish (Osphronemidae) from shallow, slow-flowing fresh water of peninsular Thailand in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 5-10 cm and has a slender body; males are pale-brown with a green sheen. 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 Phang Nga betta?

The Phang Nga betta has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Phang Nga betta live?

The Phang Nga betta lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Asia: Thailand

How big does the Phang Nga betta get?

The Phang Nga betta grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Phang Nga betta dangerous to humans?

No, the Phang Nga betta 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.

More photos

Phang Nga betta (Betta pallida) — Osphronemidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) muangpaisuetrong, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Phang Nga betta sourced
Scientific name
Betta pallida
Family
Osphronemidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.3 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Asia: Thailand 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

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

Fin

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