Peaceful Betta (Betta imbellis)

Betta imbellis, the Peaceful Betta, is a wild betta species native to slow-moving, blackwater peat swamps and rice paddies of Malaysia and southern Thailand. Males display stunning iridescent blue-green scales with red finnage and are considerably less aggressive toward conspecifics than the domesticated Siamese fighting fish—to the point where compatible pairs can often be maintained together. They thrive in heavily planted tanks with soft, acidic water and tannins.

Maintain very soft, acidic blackwater conditions with Indian almond leaves. Provide dense vegetation and surface cover. Feed live and frozen invertebrates: daphnia, bloodworm, artemia. Compatible pairs can be kept together in sufficiently planted tanks; monitor for aggression. Keep at least 60% surface plant cover.