Black Cockerel (Betta Imbellis)

The black cockerel, or the non-belligerent cockerel, or the dwarf cockerel (Peaceful Betta), is native to the water bodies of the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. It is a calm and peaceful fish, ideal for nano aquariums. Territoriality in males is observed only during spawning. Can be kept in both species and general aquariums. Take live, frozen and dry food. Reproduction is not difficult. Crossbred with fighting fish.

Male

Habitat: Southeast Asia.

Habitat: streams, rivers and floodplains of tropical forests. Fish are found both in muddy and stagnant, and in clear flowing waters. They predominate in shallow waters and in pools with abundant aquatic vegetation.

Description: The body is long, slender and almost round in cross section. The dorsal fin is short, and near the anus is long, its end is elongated. The caudal fin is round. Upper mouth, swollen lips. Like all members of the family, the black cockerel breathes atmospheric air.

Color:the main body background is dark reddish brown with transverse brown stripes. The fins are orange-red. During the spawning period, the male becomes black-blue, spots appear on his body, which shimmer with a bluish-green color. The tail fin of the male is round, along the edges of the fringe with a wide red edging. The anal fins are red-tipped, the ventral fins are three-colored: black, red and blue at the very end.

Size: up to 5.5 cm.

Life expectancy: 3-4 years.

Female

Aquarium: top closed with a lid.

Sizes: from 35 liters for a couple, for a harem - from 100 liters.

Water: dH 5-10 °, pH 4.5-7.2, aeration, filtration, slight flow, weekly change of up to 20-30% of water volume. Dwarf cockerels are sensitive to sharp chemical changes in water parameters and to high nitrate levels.

Temperature: 24-26 ° C.

Lighting: dim.

Substrate: dark.

Plants: thickets of living plants (cryptocorynes), including floating ones (salvinia, riccia, water lilies, etc.).

Decoration: a variety of shelters are required - grottoes, caves, driftwood, plastic pipes, clay pots, etc. Free swimming space is required.

Feeding: live, frozen and dry food. Periodically feed with herbal supplements. Do not overfeed, because fish are prone to obesity.

Behavior: Black bettas are crepuscular. Fights between males do not lead to serious consequences. It is recommended to keep in a pair or harem (one male and several females).

Character: calm and peaceful fish, only during the spawning period males begin to show aggression.

Water zone: middle layer of water.

May be kept with: Peaceful fish of the same size.

Breeding fish: spawning in pairs, both in the general aquarium and in the spawning grounds. The male builds a nest of foam with a diameter of 12-15 cm under floating plants. The spawning tree (at least 50 cm long and 30-40 liters in volume, with a dark substrate under the aquarium and large-leaved floating plants) is placed in a quiet place so as not to disturb the fish. Water parameters: dH 4-10 °, pH 6.5-7.0, T 26-30 ° C. Before spawning, producers are kept separately for 7-10 days and are abundantly fed with live food. First, a male is placed in the spawning grounds, which builds a nest for eggs, and after a while the female is planted. Mating games begin almost immediately. After spawning, the female is deposited, and the male takes care of the eggs and larvae. The male is fed once a day.

Sex differences:the male can be distinguished by its brighter body color and large fins.

Puberty: occurs at 6-8 months.

Related article Cockerel, or fighting fish (Betta splendens)

Number of eggs: 80-150 eggs.

Incubation period: 1-2 days.

Offspring: fry swim for 3-5 days. At this time, the water level is lowered to 5 cm. The fry are very sensitive to water quality and sharp changes in its chemical parameters (therefore, constant aeration and good filtration are necessary, which does not create a strong current). The water level begins to rise three weeks after the start of self-feeding - 1 liter of water is poured over 3-4 days, then 2-4 liters every day until the aquarium is full.

Growth rate:slow, by 2 months they reach only 12-15 mm in length. The fry begin to color at the age of 3-4 months.

Feeding juveniles: starter feed - infusoria, "live dust".

Ditching from parents: as soon as the fry begin to feed on their own, the male is set aside.

Comments: crossed with a cockerel (fighting fish).