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Toba betta (Betta rubra) — Osphronemidae

Toba betta

Betta rubra
Family: Osphronemidae

The Toba betta (Betta rubra) is a freshwater fish of the family Osphronemidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Indonesia
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Toba betta is a labyrinth fish or fighting fish (Osphronemidae) from shallow, slow-flowing fresh water of northern Sumatra in Indonesia. The species grows to about 5-10 cm and has a slender body; males are bright red with dark bars; 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 Toba betta?

The Toba betta has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Toba betta live?

The Toba betta lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Asia: Indonesia

How big does the Toba betta get?

The Toba betta grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Toba betta dangerous to humans?

No, the Toba 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.

Is the Toba betta edible?

Yes, the Toba betta is commonly eaten.

More photos

Toba betta (Betta rubra) — Osphronemidae — 2
Phil Crabb (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — NHMUK
Toba betta (Betta rubra) — Osphronemidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) penterd, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Toba betta (Betta rubra) — Osphronemidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) penterd, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Toba betta (Betta rubra) — Osphronemidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) coleopterakleptomaniac, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Toba betta sourced
Scientific name
Betta rubra
Family
Osphronemidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.0 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: Indonesia 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

Fin

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