| 1. Conservation Status |
|---|
| Scientific Name | Betta macrostoma |
| Common Name | Brunei Beauty |
| Family | Osphronemidae |
| IUCN Status | Endangered (EN) |
| Distribution | Brunei & northern Borneo; isolated blackwater streams |
| Notes | Highly prized species; threatened by habitat loss and over‑collection. Captive breeding is vital. |
| 2. Natural Habitat & Ecology |
|---|
| Habitat Type | Shaded forest streams; slow‑moving blackwater |
| Water | pH 4.0–6.0; conductivity 20–60 µS/cm; high tannins |
| Substrate | Leaf litter, sand, submerged branches |
| Behaviour | Pair‑bonding; shy; males mouthbrood fry |
| 3. Water Chemistry Requirements |
|---|
| Temperature | 24–27°C |
| pH | 4.5–6.0 (breeding), 5.0–6.5 (grow‑out) |
| Conductivity | 20–60 µS/cm |
| Tannins | High; catappa leaves, peat, alder cones |
| Lighting | Low; floating plants recommended |
| 4. Social Structure & Behaviour |
|---|
| Group Dynamics | Pairs only; males may fight |
| Male Behaviour | Displays bright orange body and black throat band during courtship |
| Female Behaviour | Initiates spawning; presents vertical barring |
| Territoriality | Moderate; increases during breeding |
| 5. Conditioning Protocol |
|---|
| Duration | 2–3 weeks |
| Diet | Live foods: mosquito larvae, daphnia, gut‑loaded worms |
| Environmental Stability | Stable parameters; low stress; gentle flow |
| Indicators | Male throat darkens; female shows barring and swelling |
| 6. Spawning Strategy |
|---|
| Method | Mouthbrooding (male) |
| Spawning Behaviour | Pair embraces; female releases eggs; male collects eggs in mouth |
| Parental Care | Male incubates eggs and fry until release |
| 7. Spawning Triggers |
|---|
| Pre‑Trigger | Soft acidic water; high tannins; stable temperature |
| Trigger Event | Small cool water change (5–10%); increase live foods |
| Additional Stimuli | Dim lighting; increased leaf litter |
| 8. Eggs & Incubation |
|---|
| Clutch Size | 10–40 eggs |
| Egg Type | Large, yolk‑rich eggs |
| Incubation | 18–30 days (male mouthbroods) |
| Male Role | Holds eggs/fry in buccal cavity; does not eat during incubation |
| 9. Larval Development |
|---|
| Day 0–10 | Developing inside male’s mouth; yolk absorption |
| Day 10–20 | Fry fully formed; male may “chew” to aerate |
| Day 20–30 | Male releases free‑swimming fry |
| Post‑Release | Fry are large and capable; male may continue guarding |
| 10. First Foods & Feeding Schedule |
|---|
| Stage 1 (Day 1–7) | Newly hatched Artemia, microworms |
| Stage 2 (Week 2–4) | Moina, daphnia, fine crushed pellets |
| Stage 3 (4+ weeks) | Small live foods; transition to pellets |
| 11. Grow‑Out Requirements |
|---|
| Tank Size | 60–100L for early grow‑out |
| Water | Soft, acidic, tannin‑rich |
| Flow | Minimal; gentle sponge filtration |
| Water Changes | 10–15% weekly; avoid large changes |
| Density | Low density reduces aggression |
| Culling | Remove weak or deformed fry early |
| 12. Genetic Management |
|---|
| Practices | Maintain unrelated pairs; avoid line collapse; track lineage |
| 13. Conservation Notes |
|---|
| Threats | Habitat loss, pollution, over‑collection |
| Status | Wild populations declining; captive breeding crucial |
| Goal | Maintain genetically diverse captive lines |
| 14. Recommended Breeding Setup |
|---|
| Tank | 40–80L blackwater tank |
| Substrate | Leaf litter + sand + botanicals |
| Flow | Minimal; air‑driven sponge filter |
| Water | pH 4.5–6.0; conductivity 20–60 µS/cm |
| Group | Bonded pair |
| Trigger | Cool soft‑water change + increased live foods |
| Egg Care | Male mouthbroods; do not disturb |
| Fry | Artemia → Moina → daphnia |
| Grow‑Out | Soft water; low stress; stable parameters |
