The spotted betta or Javanese fighting fish (Betta picta) is a freshwaterray-finned fish in the gouramifamily (Osphronemidae) of orderPerciformes. The type species of genusBetta, it is native to relatively cool, 22‒25 °C (72‒75 °F), highland streams of Java and Sumatra.In 1967, D. S. Johnson reported the species to be common in blackwater of southern Malaya,but it is not clear that this population was in fact B. picta, as many similar Betta species had not yet been described at the time.
Of largely unremarkable Betta appearance, B. picta attains an overall length of 6 cm (2.4 in).It is noted for the pale bars on the male's back, absent in other similar Betta species.
Mouthbrooders, spotted bettas spawn en masse when triggered by water changes; this is likely to be an adaptation to reduce the chances, by saturating the environment with young, of individual fry falling prey to predators. This betta spawns readily and prolifically in captivity, producing easily-raised fry.Even though it is easily kept and bred, it is not one of the more popular Betta species among hobbyists, likely... Read More