Tankmates: Best in a species tank or with very calm, small fish; easily outcompeted at feeding. Will eat shrimplets.
Feeding: Insectivores/micropredators. Overfeeding is a common cause of bloat and poor water quality. Wild-caught fish may need live or frozen food before accepting pellets.
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Betta albimarginata is a small wild betta from forest streams in the Indonesian part of Borneo. Its name means "white-edged", after the bright white margins on the male's black-banded, red-orange fins. At around 4–5 cm, it is one of the smallest bettas in the hobby and a favourite of wild-betta keepers who want a nano tank with real personality.
Unlike the bubble-nesting ikan laga most people know, albimarginata is a paternal mouthbrooder: the male carries the eggs in his mouth. FishyHub lists captive-bred fish, usually as pairs, from Malaysian hobbyists and specialist sellers, with prices in RM.
It looks very similar to its close relative Betta channoides, and the two are easily confused. Buy from sellers who keep their lines separate and label them clearly, so you don't end up with mixed or hybrid fish.
| Care point | Guideline |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 24–28°C. Malaysian rooms (26–31°C) are often at or above the top of this range, so keep the tank in the coolest spot, out of the sun, and use a small fan in heatwaves. |
| Minimum tank | About 1.5–2 kaki (45–60 cm), roughly 25–65 L, for a pair |
| Water | Soft, acidic blackwater with daun ketapang |
| Temperament | Peaceful but shy; keep as a pair or small group in a species tank |
| Diet | Live and frozen foods: artemia, daphnia, cacing grindal, small bloodworm. Many refuse dry food at first. |
| Beginner-friendly? | No. Better for keepers with some wild-betta experience. |
Albimarginata come from shaded, leaf-filled streams, so recreate that with dim lighting, floating plants, a layer of daun ketapang on the floor and a few pieces of kayu akuarium. Small caves or upturned coconut shells give the male a quiet place to brood. A gentle sponge filter is enough. Keep a tight lid, as wild bettas jump.
Malaysia's soft tap water is a good starting point once treated with anti klorin. Keep water changes small and regular, around 10–20% a week, as big swings in pH or temperature can cause a brooding male to swallow or spit out the eggs.
After spawning, the male holds the eggs and then the fry in his mouth for roughly one to two weeks and eats little during that time. Leave him undisturbed. Once released, the fry are big enough to take newly hatched artemia straight away.
As a wild species bred in small numbers, albimarginata cost more than ordinary bettas. Prices in RM vary with size, colour and whether you buy a proven pair. On each listing, check:
For buyers in Sabah or Sarawak, ask the seller about delivery first.
Ia berasal dari anak sungai hutan di Borneo, di bahagian Indonesia. Ikan yang dijual di FishyHub sepatutnya ikan yang dibiakkan dalam kurungan, bukan ditangkap dari alam liar.
Tidak. Ikan jantan mengeram telur di dalam mulut (mouthbrooder) sehingga anak ikan cukup besar untuk berenang sendiri.
It's best in a species tank. Very small, peaceful fish such as Boraras rasboras can work in a larger tank, but albimarginata may not compete well for food.
Some learn to, especially captive-bred fish, but most do best with live or frozen food as the main diet.
Browse Betta albimarginata and other wild bettas from Malaysian sellers, with photos and RM prices on each listing. Complete the setup with daun ketapang, sponge filters and live feed such as artemia and grindal worms.
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