Maru Red Lokality Baoeng Bar 5/5

A red phantom of Baoeng Bar, catalogued only as Maru Red 6/5.

The Maru Red Lokality Baoeng Bar Betta is a striking red betta fish ideal for nano tanks. Hardy, active, and full of character for beginners and experts.

• Size, Origin, and Natural Habitat: The Maru Red Lokality Baoeng Bar is a captive-bred betta fish originating from the Baoeng Bar locality, known for its intense red coloration and robust constitution. While the product listing shows a size range of 0cm – 0cm (a placeholder), mature males typically reach 2.5–3 inches (6–7.5 cm) in total length, with females slightly smaller at 2–2.5 inches (5–6 cm). These fish are labyrinth breathers, meaning they possess a special organ that allows them to gulp atmospheric air, enabling them to thrive in shallow, slow-moving waters. In the aquarium, they display a confident and curious personality, often recognizing their keeper. Despite their vibrant appearance, they are not schooling fish and prefer a territory of their own. Provide a well-planted tank with dark substrate to enhance their red hues. A single specimen can be kept in a nano aquarium of at least 5 gallons (19 litres), though 10 gallons (38 litres) is ideal for stable water parameters and room to explore. Because they are jumpers, a tight-fitting lid is essential to prevent escape.
• Water Conditions: Maintaining pristine water quality is crucial for the long-term health of your Maru Red Lokality Baoeng Bar. These bettas prefer warm, slightly acidic to neutral water with the following parameters: temperature 24–28°C (75–82°F), pH 6.0–7.5, and general hardness (GH) between 2–10 dGH (soft to medium hard). Ammonia and nitrite must always read 0 ppm, and nitrate should be kept below 20 ppm through regular weekly water changes of 25–30%. Use a gentle filter, such as a sponge filter or a baffled hang-on-back, to avoid strong currents that can stress these fish and damage their delicate fins. An adjustable heater is mandatory to prevent temperature swings, which can trigger ich or fin rot. Adding Indian almond leaves or driftwood will release tannins, mimicking their natural blackwater environment, lowering pH slightly and providing antibacterial benefits. Always acclimate new arrivals via drip method over 30–45 minutes to avoid shock. Test water parameters weekly with a liquid test kit, and never use soap or harsh chemicals when cleaning the tank.
• Suitable Tank Mates: Choosing the right companions for your Maru Red Lokality Baoeng Bar requires careful planning because bettas are territorial, especially males. Avoid housing them with other bettas (male or female) unless you are an experienced breeder conducting a controlled spawn. Also avoid fin-nipping species like tiger barbs, serpae tetras, and black widow tetras, as well as large or aggressive fish such as cichlids, goldfish, and gouramis. Ideal tank mates include small, peaceful, bottom-dwelling or mid-water species that occupy different zones. Good choices are corydoras catfish (e.g., pygmy corys), kuhli loaches, small rasboras (e.g., chili rasbora, harlequin rasbora), and ember tetras. Invertebrates like nerite snails and mystery snails are generally ignored, though small shrimp (e.g., cherry shrimp) may be eaten. Always introduce tank mates before the betta or rearrange decorations to disrupt established territories. Keep a minimum of 10 gallons for a community setup, and monitor for any signs of aggression such as flaring, chasing, or fin nipping. If aggression persists, separate the betta immediately. Females can sometimes be kept in sororities of 5+ in a heavily planted 20-gallon tank, but this is not recommended for beginners due to the risk of bullying.
• Feeding Habits: The Maru Red Lokality Baoeng Bar is an obligate carnivore with a relatively small stomach, so overfeeding is a common mistake. In the wild, they feed on insect larvae, small crustaceans, and zooplankton. In captivity, offer a varied diet to maintain vibrant colour, robust health, and proper digestion. High-quality betta pellets (e.g., Hikari Betta Bio-Gold, New Life Spectrum) should form the staple, but supplement with live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, and blackworms. Feed 1–2 times daily, providing only what they can consume in 2–3 minutes. A good rule of thumb is 2–3 pellets per feeding for an adult, or a small pinch of frozen food. Remove any uneaten food immediately to prevent ammonia spikes. Fasting one day per week can help prevent constipation and bloating. Avoid feeding freeze-dried foods exclusively, as they can cause swim bladder issues; if used, soak them in tank water first. Also avoid human foods, beef heart, and high-fat foods. If your betta refuses food, check water parameters and temperature first—stress or illness often suppresses appetite. For breeding conditioning, increase live food offerings, but do not overfeed.
• Care Requirements and Tank Setup: Proper care ensures your Maru Red Lokality Baoeng Bar lives its full lifespan of 3–5 years. Set up a species-appropriate aquarium with a dark, fine-grain substrate (e.g., sand or aquasoil) to make the red colour pop. Provide plenty of hiding spots using live plants (e.g., Anubias, Java fern, Cryptocoryne), driftwood, and ceramic caves. Floating plants like frogbit or salvinia offer shade and reduce stress. Keep the tank covered because bettas are excellent jumpers. Maintain a consistent photoperiod of 8–10 hours daily to prevent algae and stress. Perform weekly water changes of 25–30% with dechlorinated, temperature-matched water. Use a gravel vacuum to remove debris from the substrate. Monitor for common diseases: fin rot (often from poor water quality or stress), velvet (gold dust appearance), ich (white spots), and swim bladder disorder (from overfeeding or constipation). Quarantine new fish for 2–4 weeks before adding to the main tank. If you notice clamped fins, lethargy, or loss of appetite, test water immediately and consider a hospital tank with aquarium salt or appropriate medication. Breeding this locality requires a separate spawning tank with a male building a bubble nest; remove the female after spawning to avoid aggression. With attentive care, this betta rewards you with striking colour and engaging behaviour.