Everyone,give a warm welcome to the next fish on the wild profile list:

Betta Albimarginata
Common names:White seam fighter.

complex:
Albimarginata

Location:
Borneo

Status:
As far as I know they are not on the IUCN red list of endangered species,but for some reason have been hard to find in the hobby.

Apparance:
Albimarginata are a small mouthbrooding betta,reaching just over one and three quarters of an inch from nose to tip of tail.The males are the more brightly colored of the sexes as is common in most of the betta species.The males are a brownish rust color with striking red and black coloration on the dorsal,caudal,anal and ventral fins,with the caudal and anal edges and tips of the ventrals haveing white edging,giving this betta his common name.Females are a more tannish color.

Male


Female

Housing:
Betta Albimarginata is an avid and extremely accurate jumper as are most bettas.A tight fitting lid is highly suggested to keep these treasures in the tank,and off the floor.

A single pair can be comfortably housed in a ten gallon,groups I suggest a 20 long.They are a shy little fish so live plants are a plus and will help them come out of hiding more.The lower height of a 20 long helps to light the plants in this tank and the length gives them lots of swimming room.Driftwood and caves are helpful.

They are a blackwater fish and though not a necessity,tannins added will also make the albis feel much more comfortable.Good filtration and a routine water change schedule will help these fish thrive.


Here is a shot of my old 20 long.

Feeding:
Wild caught and some captive bred Albis will accept live and frozen,but pellets can be difficult to get them to accept.In my experience,some will and some will not.

Breedig:
Albimargiata is a pateral mouthbrooder.The male will show off for the female,eticnig her to spawn.The female will show her readiness by turning almost black with light colored bars throughout her body,a very striking change from the drab ta color she normally sports.The pair spawn at the bottom usually hidden away from sight.They will embrace like many betta species.The female picks the eggs up and passes them to the male,in the same fashion that macrostoma does.


You can see the female barred up and the male staring me down.Its very hard to get good shots of them while they are spawning.


They have been discovered!

The male will hold for about 10 to fifteen days,with 12 being the most common.The male will release the fry at the top of the water.It may be a good idea to pull the female so she doesnt decide to respawn with the male.They do not eat while holding and they can very easily starve to death.


Male releasing.Note the swollen cheeks.

The fry are tiny,around 1/4th of an inch.They will be almost solid black.

Fry just after release.They hang around the surface for awhile,before going into hiding.



Albi fry

The fry need to be fed newly hatched BBS(the adults will also eat this)and move up onto larger foods,weaning them once they get large enough to eat crushed pellets.

Albimarginata is a very docile wild fish and are very clown like in personality.They will come to know their owners,and although shy at first,are very inquisitive once they become accustomed to you and their home.These are one of my personal favorites,and a very easy fish to house and breed.

If you want to delve into mouthbrooding bettas,I highly suggest this fish as a starting point!

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You need camera help!!!! They aren't much in the looks department.

Hahaha,yes I do.But in my defense,they moved.Alot.And the fry were sooooo tiny.

__________________
http://bountifulbettas.blogspot.com/

"Come to the dark side....we have cookies...and filters/heaters/and water changes!"