New 🐟 Mercury Safety Guide & Omega-3 Rankings Updated for 2026. View Omega-3 Rankings →

💧 Freshwater Vulnerable 🍽️ Edible 🐠 Aquarium 🌡️ Tropical

Spotfin betta

Betta macrostoma Regan, 1910
Max Length
6.7 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.3
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
10.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
-

📖 Overview

Facultative air-breathing ; Inhabits shallow (about 30 cm deep) near stagnant pools along stream bed with substrate consisting of clay . Occurs also in waterfalls with fast flowing clear water; occupies small pools in tributaries and quiet pools along the main confluence of the river . A mouth brooder .

Scientific Name
Betta macrostoma
Authority
Regan, 1910
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
VU
Max Length
6.7 cm
Trophic Level
3.3
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
10.00/100
Water Temp
24–26 °C
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 0 - 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 11; Anal spines: 0 - 1; Anal soft rays: 24 - 27; Vertebrae: 31 - 32. Differs from other member of the Betta unimaculata group by possessing the following combination of characters: dorsal fin ocellus; body red in color; caudal fin with transverse black and red bands; opercle with large red blotch in mature male; vertebrae 31-32 (mode 32); dorsal-fin rays 9-11 (mode 10); anal-fin rays 25-28 (mode 27); pectoral-fin rays 13-14; lateral scales 32-33 (mode 33); subdorsal scales 6-8 (mode 7); predorsal scales 21-24 (mode 23); predorsal length 62.3-66.7% SL; head length 30.4-33.3% SL; anal-fin base length 43.2-49.2% SL; dorsal-fin base length 12.2-15.7% SL; lower jaw length 38.0-54.0% HL .: fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Spotfin betta is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 🪺 Nest Builder
Spawning Season
spring
Spawn Location
Nest
Fertilization
External

Male carries the eggs in the mouth.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 4.4 - 5.7; dH range: ? - 10. Tropical; 24°C - 26°C

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater
Trophic Level
3.3±0.4

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00977 × L2.97 (TL)
Max TL
6.7cm
Dorsal Spines
1
Dorsal Rays
10
Anal Spines
1
Anal Rays
26
Vertebrae
32

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Temperature Range
24–26°C
pH Range
4.4–5.7
Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Vulnerable
Assessment Date
2018

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
10.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.3
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Regan, 1910

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Spotfin betta is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

⚡ Nutrition

Detailed nutritional data for Spotfin betta is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Spotfin betta has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🔬 Full Nutritional Profile

Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)

Proximate Composition
Energy125 kcal
Moisture75 %
Protein20 %
Total Fat4 %
Ash1.3 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat1 g
Monounsaturated Fat1.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat1.5 g
Omega-3 Total1 g
EPA0.3 g
DHA0.5 g
Omega-6 Total0.3 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium20 mg
Iron0.7 mg
Magnesium30 mg
Phosphorus220 mg
Potassium380 mg
Sodium55 mg
Zinc0.5 mg
Selenium32 µg
Vitamin B122 µg

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
0 Observations logged on Aquareap

No observations yet - be the first to log one!

View all observations for Spotfin betta ↗
Suggest an Edit

Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.

Link to a scientific paper, FishBase, or other authoritative source
Report an Issue

Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.