Betta smaragdina tropical fish

Keeping Betta smaragdina from an Aquarist View

Housing

 Betta smaragdina can be housed in pairs, species tanks, and community tanks.  Pairs can be housed in a 10 gallon tank, groups should be housed in a 30 gallon tank or larger.  Pairs should be given cover such as caves and plants.  In a pair or species situation it is possible that fry could be discovered in the tanks.  For best results remove a pair to a breeding tank with little to no filtration.

Water Conditions

Not critical, smaragdina is very tolerant of water chemistry and thrives in almost any type of water as long as it is clean and well filtered.  They should be kept at mid 70s to low 80s F.

Sexing

Males are more intensely colored and might have longer fins while the females will be a browner in color however females should display an ovipositor or egg tube.

Reproduction

Smaragdina is a surface bubblenester however the male may make a nest under objects on the surface of the water.  Males normally initiate spawning and entice females to the nest for spawning.

Similar Species

Similar species would be all splendens complex members.IdentificationSmaragdina have green or blue gill plates with wild spots on the tail rays.

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