The Wild Types

I don't know much about them. And for my collection I think I will stick the Betta Splendens. But I am curious about them (oh no... that is where it starts doesn't it). Hoping some of the old great ones (Julie, Sorrel, wuvmybetta and others) can post some info and pics.

I read that some of them are mouthbrooders. I don't really get it yet but they protect their eggs in the mouth?

Here is one that I think is a Wild Type: Betta imbellis. Seems to be a more common one I guess since he does not cost too much (here we go again) at AttisonBetta (Thailand).

I must admit though I can't tell him apart from a Plakat:

i think imbellis are betta splendins arent they? they build nests? sry ral, i know no more than you do

For all I know Winston (my Plakat) is an Imbellis.

Yep, there are mouth brooding and bubble nesting wilds. Usually the mouthbrooders are bigger and less colorful, but not always (as in the case of the brilliantly colored macrostoma). Mouthbrooders spawn and the male takes the eggs in his mouth for around two weeks - they hatch in a few days but he still keeps the babies in his mouth. Then by the time they are released, they're the size of like 2 week old splendens fry.

Betta imbellis are a wild type of betta, but some people think splendens and imbellis are interchangeable. Personally, I don't agree. A lot of breeders advertise their splendens as imbellis though, as in the case of the photo you posted - true imbellis are mostly greenish blue and brown, with red.



See the red on the tail and at the tip of the anal? That's typical of imbellis males.


I'd suggest you check out the IBC's Species Maintence Program (SMP) at http/www.ibc-smp.org/ They've got all the species listed with photos and information, very helpful site.

Mine is all turquoise with a balck head. Does that make him a plakat? Red only on the front fins with white tips at the end .... err the two under his face.

When I bought him they the LFS had it cpationed as a Cambodian Betta. Earlier this week I was trying to figure out if he was a she. Well be built a bubble nest so I guess that settles that one.

Thanks Julie. Checking out the link.

Plakats are short tail bettas, and the males have extended anal fins (as you can see in the photos in my pinned topic). Does your fish have an egg spot behind those fins (they're ventrals, btw)? If there is a tiny white oviposter, it's a female. Even females can bubblenest, so you never know! Cambodians are a color type - light fleshy/pink body with dark fins, most often red. Sounds like yours isn't one of those, but is probably a plakat!

Females build bubble nests?

Have not seen an oviposter though.

Bettas are like killi fish in that they tend to inhabit small ponds and ditches and there genetic makeup varies from place to place, it is generaly agreed to that imbellis and splendens are infact different fish, what exactly the difference is I dont know but they have different ranges in the wild or atleast they did untill the 50's when people started releaseing splemndens and now there are alot of hybrids in the wild. Good luck learning about them and trying not to buy them

Good luck learning about them and trying not to buy them

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The not buying part is the hard part (as well as finding more space for more tanks). Was really surprised about the number of Betta species there are.