Betta balunga

In the wild, Betta balunga has a diet that consists of insects such as Drosophila spp., zooplankton, and other small, aquatic invertebrates.^[5]

The captive fish will normally accept dried products once they're recognised as edible, but should be offered plenty of small live or frozen foods such as Daphnia, Artemia or bloodworm regularly to ensure development of optimal colour and condition.^[5]

Betta balunga is a paternal mouthbrooder, which means that the fry are incubated in the male's mouth. The female plays the more active role in initiating courtship and defending the area against intruders. After courting, eggs and milt are released during an "embrace" typical of gouramis in which the male wraps his body around that of the female, and several "practice" embraces may be required beforehand.^[5] Once spawning begins, eggs are laid in small batches and picked up in the mouth of the female before being spat out into the water for the male to catch. Once the male has all the eggs in his mouth the cycle is repeated until the female is spent of eggs, a process which can take some time. The incubation period is 14 – 21 days at which point the male will begin to release fully-formed, free-swimming fry. The male might swallow or prematurely release the fry when stressed. The fry are large enough to eat motile foods such as microworm and Artemia nauplii immediately.^[5]