Blue betta
📖 Overview
Blue betta (Betta smaragdina) is a ray-finned fish of the family Osphronemidae. It inhabits freshwater waters. This species can reach a maximum total length of 7 cm. With a trophic level of 3.2, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms. It is assessed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List. Commercially fished and consumed as food.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Anal spines: 4 - 5; Anal soft rays: 22 - 26. Head length 4.0-4.5 times in SL; male with anal fin extending to end of caudal fin; stripes on body faint, adult male reddish brown with an iridescent blue or green spot on each scale; anal and caudal fins blue with red rays; female brown with 2 darker stripes .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Blue betta is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Builds bubble-nest.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 5 - 19. Tropical; 24°C - 27°C
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Blue 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 Blue betta is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Blue 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 | Blue betta · Emerald Betta · Emerald green betta · Mekong Fighting fish · Smaragd Fighting Fish |
| 🌍CES | bojovnice smaragdová |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Smaragd-kampfisk |
| 🇩🇪German | Smaragd-Kampffisch · Smaragdkampffisch |
| 🌍LAO | Pa Gud |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Beta-verdejante |
| 🇸🇪Swedish | Smaragdgrön kampfisk |
| 🌍THA | ปลากัดทุ่งอีสาน · ปลากัดอีสาน · ปลากัดเขียว · Pla Gud Khiew |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Blue betta.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 5 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet - be the first to log one!
View all observations for Blue betta ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.