Big Yellow Mouthbrooders
The Betta waseri group
by Stefan vd Voort
of Holland
Aquarticles
"Big yellow mouthbrooders" - these are the species of the Betta waseri
group which occur in Malaysia, Sumatra and Thailand. Their lack of color makes them not
attractive enough for many to keep, but in fact they are very interesting species. In all
species of the group the iridescent colors on the gill plates, as in Betta pugnax-types
for example, is missing. However all species of the Betta waseri group have
golden scales here and there on the body. Presently there are seven described species, and
without question more will follow.
There are already four new known species that are not yet described; Betta sp.
"Medas" from Indonesia, Betta sp. aff. waseri
"Anjungan", Betta sp. aff. waseri "Pekanbaru" and Betta
sp. aff. waseri "Pekan Nanas".
To follow, some short information will be provided on every species of the basically
unknown, but nonetheless interesting Betta waseri species group:
Betta chloropharynx Kottelat & Ng, 1994
This large mouthbrooder, 13 cm (TL), occurs in Banka. The species obtained its name from
the Latin words chloro; meaning green, and pharynx; meaning throat: green throat. Betta
chloropharynx has a black '8'-shaped symbol on its throat and two light green dots
underneath the jaw. The body is colored light to dark brown with here and there a purple
glow. In Banka this species thrives in shallow peat swamps which are sometimes only a few
centimeters deep. These habitats consist mainly of leaf litter, in which the inhabitants
hide. The pH is 4.5 to 5.5, de GH and KH between 0 and 1. The measured temperature was
27.1°C. This Betta is on the threatened species list because its habitats are
being destroyed to make way for plantations for example.
Betta hipposideros Ng & Kottelat, 1994
Also an inhabitant of blackwater biotopes in Selangor, and Perak Malaysia. Measurements
concluded a pH between 3.5 and 3.7. The GH, unfortunately, is unknown except for the fact
that the value is low. The name of Betta hipposideros also comes from Latin; the
name hipposideros was chosen in allusion to the black horseshoe markings on its
throat. This mouthbrooder also grows large; about 14 cm (TL). This species has a light
brown body with a lighter colored, horizontal bar. The throat is greenish, a color that
here and there can also be found in the fins. Its habitats in Selangor and Perak are under
a lot of pressure; many have already been destroyed and others soon will be, to make way
for palm plantations.
Betta pi Tan, 1998
Betta pi, 12 cm (TL), is the only species of the group which does not occur in
extremely acidic water habitats. The species comes from Thailand; peat swamps near Mae Nam
Tod Deng and 12 km southwest of Tak Bai. Betta pi is a threatened species also;
its natural habitat is being destroyed by the arrival of rubber plantations. Of its
natural habitat only the pH value is known, which lies between 5 and 6. Because this big,
yellow mouthbrooder has a pi-shaped symbol on its throat it was described as Betta pi.
Regarding coloration, this species is quite similar to Betta waseri, which is
brownish.
Betta renata Tan, 1998
This species is probably the least known big yellow mouthbrooderof the group, besides B.
hipposideros. Only a handful of people have ever seen Betta renata, let
alone kept it. Again this species is a blackwater inhabitant, this time from Rantau
Panjang; Jambi. Again for this habitat only one measurement is known, a pH of 4.1. Because
it's a peat swamp it means the GH and temperature are both in the lower regions. The
latest inquiries about whether or not this is also a threatened species, date from around
1994. At that time Betta renata was not on the list; however it's very possible
that its status has since changed. One might imagine that this species was named after a
person, but in fact that's far from true. The species name renata is Latin, and
means kidney. This in allusion to the black, kidney-shaped mark on its throat. This
species also grows somewhat large; around 14 cm (TL).
Betta spilotogena Ng & Kottelat, 1994
In Riau Archipelago, especially in North Pulau Bintan, another big yellow Betta
can be found that was described as Betta spilotogena and grows to a length of 13
cm (TL). Unfortunately this species is also on the threatened species list. Betta
spilotogena thrives in acidic freshwater swamps with a pH between 4.9 and 5.5, and an
unknown GH which lies in the low regions due to the nature of the habitat. The scientific
name refers to the black spots on the gill cover. On this species' throat are 2 large,
oval spots which may join each other forming one large spot. The body of Betta
spilotogena is more or less dark brown, with here and there the earlier mentioned
golden scales. The fins are brownish, with on the margins and sometimes more central, a
beautiful bluish-purple color.
Betta tomi Ng & Kottelat, 1994
Betta tomi is named after Professor Tom Lam Toong Jin of Singapore University,
and reaches a length of 14 cm (TL). This Betta is also colored dark brown,
however this color can vary to a much lighter coloration with sometimes a dark horizontal
stripe pattern, which comes close to black. The beginning of all fins, the actual first
fin parts, and the entire dorsal fin, are a beautiful light yellow. In most cases the
males also show a wide, green margin in the anal fin. On the throat of Betta tomi
are two, somewhat parallel, vertical bars which may not join the lower lip. The species
comes from Johor; Malaysia and used to thrive in Singapore as well. However, sadly the
species has been extinct in the latter location for many years now. This mouthbrooder
lives in acidic freshwater with a pH of 5.5. Unfortunately they are now heavily
threatened.
Betta waseri Krummenacher, 1986
Betta waseri was the first species of the group to be discovered and described,
and comes from Kuantan area, especially Pahang. There they thrive in blackwater forest
streams with a pH around 4 to 5. The water is also extremely soft, but no measurements are
known. In forest streams Betta waseri lives in the cover of leaf litter, and the
roots of the plants and trees growing on the banks. Kuantan has been under great pressure
for a long time now, and as a result more and more habitats of Betta waseri cease
to exist. The scientific name of this large mouthbrooder comes from Alfred Waser, the
original discoverer of the species. On the throat of this species are two teardrop-shaped
spots. The body is simply colored dark brown, which can make way for a much lighter color
with a dark, brown-blackish horizontal stripe pattern. The fins are mostly transparent,
with a dark brown coloration in the actual beginning of the fins.
Spawning
As mentioned with every species, the Betta waseri group are all mouthbrooders.
Because of their size they need large tanks with a minimum length of 100 cm. The height is
less important, since these Bettas are used to living in shallow to very shallow waters,
sometimes only a few centimeters, so a height of between 20 and 30 cm will do fine. In
order to spawn any of these species it's strongly advised to heavily plant the tank in
order to create many hiding places.
It's impossible to give a general description of how to spawn the big yellow
mouthbrooders because not every species requires the same circumstances. One species, Betta
tomi, easily spawns in the presence of other specimens, whilst others require a tank
to themselves. However, with every species it's important to maintain the water values
mentioned above for optimal care and spawning results.
During spawning an interesting phenomenon may show itself - behavior that looks like a
sort of ball game. After an embrace the female gathers the eggs in her mouth. Then she
takes position right in front of the male and spits out the eggs one by one in his
direction. If the male is fast enough he can obtain the egg; if not, the female takes back
the egg. This behavior repeats itself until the male is in possession of all the eggs.
The nests of these yellow mouthbrooders can be rather large; in Betta spilotogena
180 young have been reported which were in the mouth of the breeding male at that time.
The young are a respectable length when released by the male; in Betta spilotogena
about 6 mm. All the species of the Betta waseri group are almost certainly not
cannibalistic, so raising the young with the male and female is possible. After a while
many young from different nests and sizes will populate the tank without any problems.
However, in this case it's very important that the tank is large enough and is well
planted.
© Stefan vd Voort 2003
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