Family: Osphronemidae
Snakehead Betta — a Osphronemidae from Southeast Asia, peaceful but slow — it loses every feeding race. Reaches 1.5–2.2 cm; pairs or small groups in quiet, plant-thick tanks. 24–28 °C.
Betta channoides, a member of the family Osphronemidae, comes from Southeast Asia, where it inhabits still waters, rice paddies and slow streams. Peaceful but slow — it loses every feeding race and unfussy eater; supplement with live or frozen fare, it grows to 1.5–2.2 cm and adapts well to a properly set-up aquarium in the 24–28 °C range. Other Betta species in our database include Betta imbellis, Betta smaragdina, Betta splendens.
Intermediate difficulty. Peaceful but slow — it loses every feeding race; pairs or small groups in quiet, plant-thick tanks.
Hold 24–28 °C and keep it stable — 24.0–28.0 °C typical for the genus. Heater required; stable warmth.
Adults reach 1.5–2.2 cm; it is bottom-dwelling. Plan for at least 25 litres.
Unfussy eater; supplement with live or frozen fare. It forages naturally over soft sand with leaf litter, so let some food reach the bottom.
Peaceful but slow — it loses every feeding race; pairs or small groups in quiet, plant-thick tanks. Good company: Other calm labyrinth fish — Share the slow lane. Keep away from Fin-nippers like tiger barbs — Torn fins and endless stress.
Its home waters are Southeast Asia — still waters, rice paddies and slow streams, with still to very gentle water.
It can jump when startled — keep the tank tightly covered, especially at night and during maintenance.
In the aquarium: builds a foam nest among floating plants; paternal care. Males larger with longer fins.