Tankmates: Species tank recommended; at most very small blackwater fish (e.g. small Boraras).
Feeding: Small mouths; live and frozen foods strongly preferred and often needed to condition fish.
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Betta persephone is a tiny wild betta found only in Malaysia, in the peat swamp forests of Johor. Adults stay small, usually under 3 cm, with a velvety black body and a faint blue-green shimmer on the fins. It belongs to the "coccina" group of small, dark blackwater bettas.
It is a fish for experienced keepers who enjoy nano blackwater tanks and want to help keep a Malaysian native alive in the hobby. FishyHub lists persephone from Malaysian sellers and breeders when available, with prices in RM.
Persephone has a very small natural range, and peat swamp loss has left it endangered in the wild. Only buy captive-bred fish, never wild-collected ones, and ask the seller about the origin of their stock. Keeping a healthy captive population is one way hobbyists can support this species. Never release aquarium fish into rivers or drains.
| Care point | Betta persephone |
|---|---|
| Temperature | About 24–28°C. Malaysian rooms (26–31°C) can run warm, so keep the tank shaded and cool. |
| Minimum tank | 1 kaki (30 cm), about 12–15 litres, for a pair |
| Temperament | Shy; males can be territorial with each other |
| Diet | Tiny live and frozen foods (baby artemia, daphnia, micro worms); rarely takes pellets at first |
| Beginner-friendly? | No. Needs very soft, acidic, stable water |
Persephone needs water that mirrors its peat swamp home: very soft, acidic and stained brown by leaves and wood. Many keepers use daun ketapang, other dried leaf litter and Malaysian driftwood, and some use RO water to keep hardness low. A small sponge filter gives gentle flow.
Treat tap water with anti klorin if you use it, and make water changes small and slow. Sudden swings in pH or temperature are the most common reason these fish fail.
Because persephone is so small, food must be tiny. Newly hatched artemia, daphnia, micro worms and finely chopped frozen foods work well. Feed small amounts often and remove leftovers before they foul the water.
Availability is limited and prices in RM reflect that. Self-collect or short local delivery is gentlest for such a small, sensitive fish. Buyers in Sabah and Sarawak should speak with the seller before ordering.
Ya. Betta persephone ialah ikan laga liar asli Malaysia yang hanya dijumpai di hutan paya gambut di Johor. Ia spesies terancam, jadi beli hanya ikan yang dibiakkan dalam kurungan.
Ia makan makanan hidup atau beku yang sangat kecil, seperti anak artemia, daphnia dan cacing mikro. Beri sedikit tetapi kerap.
It is one of the smallest bettas, usually under 3 cm as an adult.
It is best kept alone as a pair or small group. Larger or active fish will outcompete it for food.
Check current Betta persephone listings from Malaysian sellers and compare prices in RM. For more wild species, see Imbellis Betta, Simorum Betta and Other Betta.
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