Red Wine Betta — a Osphronemidae from Southeast Asia, mostly peaceful; slow, deliberate movers that dislike chaos. Reaches 4.2–6.2 cm; a pair bonds loosely; keep décor between rivals. 24–27 °C.
Care parameters
Water temperature
24–27 °C
pH
4–6
GH hardness
0–4 dGH
Adult length
4.2–6.2 cm
Minimum tank
46 L
Water layer
Bottom-dwelling
Difficulty
Moderate
Temperament
Mostly peaceful; slow, deliberate movers that dislike chaos
Origin
Southeast Asia
Species overview
Betta coccina, a member of the family Osphronemidae, is native to Southeast Asia. It gulps air at the surface, so warm, still, plant-covered water is home — and cold drafts are not. It lives on the bottom. Adults reach 4.2–6.2 cm. A pair bonds loosely; keep décor between rivals. Give it warm, gentle water, floating plants and quiet neighbours; filter flow should barely ripple the surface. Maintain 24–27 °C at pH 4–6. A solid choice for a well-planned community tank.
Native biotope
Habitat
Still waters, rice paddies and slow streams
Flow
Still to very gentle water
Dissolved O₂
Tolerates low oxygen; labyrinth breather
Aquascape & hardware
Substrate
Soft sand with leaf litter
Hardscape
Dense planting and shelters
Plants
Dense hardy plants reaching the surface
Temperament, diet & tankmates
Schooling
A pair bonds loosely; keep décor between rivals
Diet
Omnivore; flakes, small pellets and frozen foods
Recommended tankmates
Peaceful mid-water schoolers — Add motion without menace
Avoid keeping with
Fast, aggressive feeders — Starve it out at every meal
Breeding & notes
Sexual dimorphism
Males larger with longer fins
Breeding method
Surface bubble-nester with dedicated male guarding