Penang betta
📖 Overview
Facultative air-breathing ; Occurs in small fast flowing forest streams . Inhabits mainly overhanging bank vegetation, submerged leaf litter and exposed roots of bank vegetation . Mouth brooder .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0 - 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7 - 10; Anal spines: 1 - 2; Anal soft rays: 24 - 26; Vertebrae: 28 - 31. A member of the Betta pugnax species group that can be differentiated from other members by the following combination of characters: presence of chin-bar; absence of dark marks below postorbital stripe on opercle; presence of dorsal transverse bars; caudal transverse bars present only in male; greenish to bluish iridescent scales on opercle and body; red subdistal band and black edge on anal fin; absence of dark edge on caudal fin; anal fin rays 25-28 (mode 26); lateral scales 28-31 (mode 29); postdorsal scales 11-12 (mode 11); pelvic fin length 26.6-43.8% SL; head length 27.5-35.2% SL; inter-orbital width 32.4-53.0% HL .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Penang betta is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Spawns in a depression on the substrate. Male broods the eggs in his mouth until hatching . Produces a minimum of 100 eggs .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 7.1 - 7.6; dH range: 5 - 12. Tropical; 24°C - 28°C
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Penang betta is an edible species."
- 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
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Penang betta is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Penang betta has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Breder's Betta · Forest Betta · King Betta · Penang Betta |
| 🌍CES | bojovnice tlamovcová |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Mundrugende kampfisk |
| 🇵🇱Polish | bojownik nadobny |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Beta-rei |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Малайский петушок · Пенангская рото-родящая бойцовая рыбка |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Pez beta rey |
| 🌍THA | ปลากัดปีนัง |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Betta bleekeri | Regan | 1910 | Synonym |
| Betta brederi | Myers | 1935 | Synonym |
| Betta macrophthalma | Regan | 1910 | Synonym |
| Macropodus pugnax | Cantor | 1849 | Synonym |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Penang betta.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 14 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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