| Spotted betta | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Osphronemidae |
| Genus: | Betta |
| Species: | B. picta |
| Binomial name | |
| Betta picta (Valenciennes, 1846) |
|
The spotted betta or Javanese fighting fish (Betta picta) is a freshwater ray-finned fish in the gourami family (Osphronemidae) of order Perciformes. The type species of genus Betta, it is native to relatively cool, 22‒25 °C (72‒75 °F), highland streams of Java and Sumatra.[1] [2] [3] In 1967, D. S. Johnson reported the species to be common in blackwaters of southern Malaya,[4] but it is not clear that this population was in fact B. picta, as many similar Betta species had not yet been described at the time.
Of largely unremarkable Betta appearance, B. picta attains an overall length of 6 cm (2.4 in).[1] It is noted for the pale bars on the male's back, absent in other similar Betta species.[2]
Mouthbrooders, spotted bettas spawn en masse when triggered by water changes; this is likely to be an adaptation to reduce the chances, by saturating the environment with young, of individual fry falling prey to predators. This betta spawns readily and prolifically in captivity, producing easily-raised fry.[2] [5] Even though it is easily kept and bred, it is not one of the more popular Betta species among hobbyists, likely because, in the words of one B. picta keeper, "many just can not get excited by watching a drab colored fish that spends most of its time hiding away under the rocks and behind the plants."[6]
Originally described by Valenciennes and assigned to genus Panchax (as P. pictum), it was found to be identical to Betta trifasciata Bleeker, 1850, the type for genus Betta. P. pictum and B. trifasciata are thus invalid synonyms for B. picta.[1] As the original type specimens are now lost, Tan and Kottelat redescribed the species in 1998.[7] [2]
B. picta is also known as the Java fighting fish.[8]