Betta pallifina

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Betta pallifina
Male Betta pallifina
Female Betta pallifina
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Anabantiformes
Family: Osphronemidae
Genus: Betta
Species:
B. pallifina
Binomial name
Betta pallifina

Betta pallifina is a species of gourami endemic to the island of Borneo.[2]

This species can reach a length of 6.6 centimetres (2.6 in) SL. The dorsal fin has seven to nine soft rays, the pectoral fin eleven to fourteen and the anal fin twenty-seven to thirty-two. There are thirty-two to thirty-four scales along the lateral line. Coloring is very vivid, especially in the males. They are a tan/brown, with green and blue iridescence, more noticeable in the males. Adult males' gill plates are adorned with metallic scales that range from sky blue to gold, depending on the lighting. They have a black spot on the base of their caudal fins which are lanceolate in shape. Females have a hyaline band near the outer edges of their anal and caudal fins.[2]

Distribution and habitat

Betta pallifina is only known from clear forest streams in the upper Barito River basin in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. These streams have soft sandy or leaf-litter bottoms with dense marginal plants and patches of aquatic vegetation.[3] The water temperature in which these fish are found is typically 77–79 °F (25–26 °C), with the pH ranging from 6.6 to 7.4.

Reproduction

Betta pallifina are a mouthbrooding species of betta. The male is the caretaker, holding the fry in his mouth for up to three weeks. In captivity, these fish are very easy to breed. During spawning, which can take several hours, the male embraces the female. Fertilized eggs are gathered into the male's mouth and he retreats to brood the fry when spawning is complete. Parents do not predate the fry when they are released.

Care

References

Further reading

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