Home · Osphronemidae · Blue betta
Blue betta (Betta smaragdina) — Osphronemidae

Blue betta

Betta smaragdina
Family: Osphronemidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blue betta (Betta smaragdina) is a freshwater fish of the family Osphronemidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The emerald betta is a small labyrinth fish from fresh water of Thailand and Laos. The species grows to about 7 cm; males gleam emerald-green with rows of glittering scales on a dark body, while females are plainer. As a labyrinth fish it can gulp air at the surface with a special breathing organ and so survive oxygen-poor water. The male builds a bubble nest and guards the eggs. It feeds on small insects and invertebrates. The fish is popular in the aquarium hobby. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue betta?

The Blue betta has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly green and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Blue betta live?

The Blue betta lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Blue betta get?

The Blue betta grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Blue betta dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue betta is harmless to humans.

Is the Blue betta edible?

The Blue betta is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Smaragd-kempvis verified
English name
Blue betta verified
Scientific name
Betta smaragdina
Family
Osphronemidae
Other names
Emerald green betta; Peaceful betta verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Betta

More from the family Osphronemidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →