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Pulchra betta (Betta pulchra) — Osphronemidae

Pulchra betta

Betta pulchra
Family: Osphronemidae

The Pulchra betta (Betta pulchra) is a freshwater fish of the family Osphronemidae that grows up to 6 cm.

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

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Description

The Pulchra betta is a labyrinth fish or fighting fish (Osphronemidae) from shallow, slow-flowing fresh water of peninsular Malaysia in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 5-10 cm and has a slender body; males are dark with iridescent blue-green scales. 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 Pulchra betta?

The Pulchra betta has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly blue.

Where does the Pulchra betta live?

The Pulchra betta lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Asia: Malaysia

How big does the Pulchra betta get?

The Pulchra betta grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Pulchra betta dangerous to humans?

No, the Pulchra 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

Pulchra betta (Betta pulchra) — Osphronemidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Aiman Azmi, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Pulchra betta (Betta pulchra) — Osphronemidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Aiman Azmi, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Pulchra betta (Betta pulchra) — Osphronemidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Aiman Azmi, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Pulchra betta (Betta pulchra) — Osphronemidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Aiman Azmi, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Pulchra betta sourced
Scientific name
Betta pulchra
Family
Osphronemidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

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

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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