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Sanggau Betta

Betta antoni

Fishes › Gouramis, bettas, snakeheads (Anabantiformes) › Osphronemidae (Gouramis and bettas)

Betta antoni is a species of gourami endemic to the Sanggau area in the Kapuas region.

Aquarium hobby
Experience: Beginner
FamilyGouramis and bettas
Adult lengthup to 2 in
WaterFreshwater

Care at a glance

Species-specific aquarium care

  • Tank: At least 24 in long and 12 in front to back for one adult (adults commonly reach about 2.0 in / 5.04 cm).
  • Water: Freshwater.
  • Layout: Uses both the bottom and open water: give open swimming space plus cover near the substrate.
  • Availability: Rarely or never seen in the aquarium trade; expect to source it from specialists or not at all.

Calculated from this species' own FishBase record: tank size from its typical adult length and swimming zone, water values from its recorded ranges. The group guide below fills in general care.

Care guide

Species care notes

  • Tank: a base of at least 24 × 12 in (roughly 14 US gallons); space needed is rated “modest tank”.
  • Water: soft, acidic water, 72–81 °F, pH 5.5–7, 1–5 dGH.
  • Behaviour: in a pair; not a community fish.
  • Difficulty: Moderate (Seriously Fish rating).

Short excerpts from the species profile:

  • Setup: “Can be maintained in a fully-decorated aquarium although many breeders prefer not to use a substrate for ease of maintenance.”
  • Diet: “Preys on insects and other invertebrates in nature with very small fish perhaps being taken as well.”
  • Tankmates: “Not a recommended choice for the standard community set-up for reasons already touched upon.”

From the Seriously Fish profile for this species, which has the full habitat, maintenance, diet, behaviour and breeding write-up 167

Group care guide

Bettas (fighting fish)

Applies to most species in this group. Habitat: Shallow rice paddies and marshes. Individual species can differ, so compare with the species numbers above and the linked sources.

Housing & setup

  • A heated, filtered tank of at least 5 gallons, with gentle flow and plants.
  • Domestic B. splendens should generally be maintained alone. Other Betta species need their own compatibility plan; B. imbellis can be maintained as a pair with adequate cover.

Sources 117119164118252253

Diet

  • Betta pellets plus frozen foods.

Sources 117119164118252253

Social life

  • Use species-specific social housing: B. splendens alone under the detailed Seriously Fish recommendation; B. imbellis may be housed as a compatible pair.

Sources 117119164118252253

Health watch

  • Fin rot in dirty water; never keep bettas in tiny unheated bowls.

Sources 117119164118252253

Understanding the animal

This species is part of a group that hobbyists, aviculturists or zoos keep widely (Gouramis and bettas), so it's included for completeness. It may be rare in captivity itself, or not kept at all. Use the group guide as a starting point and look for species-specific advice from experienced keepers.
About this animal

About this animal

The species name antoni is named after Irwan Anton "in recognition of his generous help and gift of specimens". This species grows to a length of 8 centimetres (3.1 in) SL. According to Linke, they live in "densely vegetated, narrow watercourses with very soft, very acidic water".

Quoted from the Wikipedia article “Betta antoni” (CC BY-SA 4.0) 174

In the wild

In the wild

From this species’ own FishBase record (habitat, bottom type, water and breeding data), not its family. Good care copies these conditions.1

Where it livesLives in freshwater. Uses both the bottom and open water.
Water it lives inFreshwater.
ClimateTropical climate.
  1. FishBase species summary: Betta antoni
From the sources

From the sources

Quoted from the matching sections of reputable sources for this exact species. Specialist databases are used first; Wikipedia (community-edited, CC BY-SA 4.0) only fills gaps. Other sources are short credited quotes.

OverviewBetta antoni is a species of gourami endemic to the Sanggau area in the Kapuas region. The species name antoni is named after Irwan Anton "in recognition of his generous help and gift of specimens". This species grows to a length of 8 cm SL. According to Linke, they live in "densely vegetated, narrow watercourses with very soft, very acidic water". — Wikipedia (community-edited)
Where it livesHome ranges Population dynamics Growth parameters Max. ages / sizes Length-weight rel. Length-frequencies Mass conversion Recruitment Abundance Life cycle Reproduction Maturity Maturity/Gills rel. — FishBase
ReproductionBetta antoni is a paternal mouthbrooder, which means that the father incubates the fry in his mouth. The breeding process in Betta antoni is typical of mouthbrooders, and of the B. akarensis cluster of closely related species. The female plays the more active role in initiating courtship and defending the area against intruders. — Wikipedia (community-edited)

Data and studies

The numbers

The numbers

Each bar is what one source reports. Where several sources weigh in, the dashed gold band marks their average.

Adult length

Average of sources2in
FishBase 1642
Seriously Fish species profiles 1672

Maximum recorded length. Measured as standard length (snout to the base of the tail, not counting the tail fin). Fish in home aquariums often stay smaller than wild records.

Water temperature

Reported72–81°F
Seriously Fish species profiles 16772–81

Range the species tolerates; aim for the middle.

pH

Reported5.5–7
Seriously Fish species profiles 1675.5–7

Water hardness

Reported1–5dGH
Seriously Fish species profiles 1671–5

Minimum tank footprint

Reported24in
Seriously Fish species profiles 16724

Seriously Fish recommends a tank base of at least 24 × 12 in (about 14 US gallons).

Sources for this sheet

  1. FishBase (Froese & Pauly, eds.), version 24.07 Peer-reviewed researchThe global scientific database on fishes, maintained by a consortium of research institutions; every value is referenced.
  2. Seriously Fish species profiles Experienced keeper or breederLong-running aquarium reference written and peer-checked by experienced fishkeepers and ichthyologists; each profile covers habitat, tank size, water, diet, behaviour and breeding.
  3. Merck Veterinary Manual: Management of aquarium fish Zoo, university or veterinaryThe Merck Veterinary Manual: a standard veterinary reference written and reviewed by veterinary specialists.
  4. Merck Veterinary Manual: Types and features of aquatic systems Zoo, university or veterinaryThe Merck Veterinary Manual: a standard veterinary reference written and reviewed by veterinary specialists.
  5. Merck Veterinary Manual: Nutritional diseases of fish Zoo, university or veterinaryThe Merck Veterinary Manual: a standard veterinary reference written and reviewed by veterinary specialists.
  6. Seriously Fish — Betta splendens Zoo, university or veterinaryAdded in the 2026 source-checked care-guide review.
  7. Seriously Fish — Betta imbellis Zoo, university or veterinaryAdded in the 2026 source-checked care-guide review.
  8. Wikipedia (species article) Community referenceFree encyclopedia; useful overviews with their own citations. Intro text is quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0.