Betta kuehnei

6. October 2009

The mouthbrooding fighting fishes of the Betta pugnax group are wideley spread over Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. The most currently described species is Betta kuehnei from the northernmost Province Kelantan of Malaysia and the southernmost parts of Thailand.

The species has been discovered by the travelling aquarist Jens Kühne and introduced in the hobby as “blue throat fighting fish”. It can be told apart from the other species of the group by the intense blue throat coloration.

Like the other species of the Betta pugnax group B. kuehnei (which can reach about 8 cm in length) is comparatively peaceful against congeneers and so more than one pair can be kept together. However, the tank should contain a good number of hiding places. Male and females can be distinguished best by the different shape of their head.

Soft and acidic water is necessary for breeding, but keeping is possible in almost any water. Breeding is similar to the other species of the group. Males keep the eggs for about ten days in the mouth.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Nachzucht / bred
Verfügbare Größe in cm 6-8