|
|
|
Labyrinth Fish
/ Belontiidae / Honey Dwarf Gourami
Siamese Fighting Fish
Betta sota | Pictures
Synonyms:
Colisa chuna, Trichogaster chuna, T. sota, Trichopodus chuna
Physical description: A laterally compressed fish with long-oval shaped body.
This species is similar in fin shape
to C. lalia
, although coloration of these two species is entirely different.
Males and females are pale orange at
most times.
The fins match the body color.
At spawning times, the male develops a dark orange color, and his head,
throat, and front part of the anal fin become dark green to black.
The rear parts of the anal and dorsal
fins is also dark orange, as is the caudal fin.
The ventral fins of the male may become black.
Size/Length: To 1.7" (4.5 cm)
Similar species: None
Habitat: Northeastern India; Assam; Bangladesh
S: middle, top
Aquarium: A tank measuring 20" (51 cm) with a volume of 10 gallons (38 L) is suggested.
Follow
recommendations for C. lalia
.
Water chemistry: pH 6-7.5 (6.8), dH 4-15 (8), 72-82°F (22-28°C)
Social behavior: A peaceful and timid species that can be combined with other peaceful species.
Males
become aggressive when defending their brood at spawning times.
Suggested companions: Colisa
, Trichopsis,
Corydoras
, Danios, Loaches, Loricarids.
FOOD: Live; insect larvae,
Tubifex, insects, crustaceans; flakes; occasionally
algae; pellets; tablets
Sexual differences: At spawning times, males become dark orange with a black head, throat, and belly.
Females
at that time are brownish orange.
Breeding techniques: Follow suggestions for
C. lalia.
Breeding potential: 7.
Breeding is moderately difficult.
Remarks: Under unsatisfactory conditions, this fish may be colorless besides being susceptible
to velvet disease.
Difficulty of care: 5.
This species requires frequent partial water changes, and tends to susceptible to disease.
Recent articles about fish
Overfishing may hurt Amazon forest trees
(2/5/2008) Overfishing is reducing the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish in the Brazilian Pantanal, reports Nature. The research suggests that fishing practices can affect forest health.
Scientists find fish that literally lives in trees
(10/17/2007) Scientists have found a fish that literally lives in trees, according to research published in The American Naturalist and highlighted in New Scientist Magazine.
Piranhas originated when Amazon was flooded by seawater
(12/4/2007) South America's piranha family of fish -- notorious as eaters of flesh -- can be traced back to a single ancestor which dispersed when the Amazon was flooded by seawater some five million years ago, report researchers from the Institut de Recherche Pour le Developpement (IRD). Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Parana in Argentina.
|
|
|
