Betta Albimarginata (pairs)

Betta Albimarginata — The White-Edged Warrior of Borneo’s Blackwaters

Compact, colourful, and brimming with wild character, Betta albimarginata is a captivating small wild betta species from the cool, shaded blackwater streams of Kalimantan and Sabah, Borneo. Named for the distinctive white margins on its fins (albi = white, marginata = edged), this species displays a rich red-brown to orange body with striking white-tipped fins — a bold and elegant colour scheme that makes it one of the most visually appealing wild bettas available.

Unlike the common Siamese Fighting Fish, Betta albimarginata is a peaceful, mouthbrooding species that can be kept and bred as a pair — offering a fascinating window into the natural behaviours of wild bettas. Sold as a bonded pair (male + female) only.

Care at a Glance

• Common Name: Betta Albimarginata, White-Edged Betta
• Scientific Name: Betta albimarginata
• Origin: Kalimantan & Sabah, Borneo (cool, shaded blackwater streams)
• Adult Size: Up to 3.5 cm (1.4 inches)
• pH: 6.5 – 7.2 (soft, slightly acidic water preferred)
• General Hardness (GH): 3 – 10
• Carbonate Hardness (KH): 1 – 2
• TDS: 100 – 300
• Temperature: 18 – 25°C (64 – 78°F) — cooler temperatures preferred
• Temperament: Peaceful; ideal as a pair or small group
• Breeding Type: Paternal mouthbrooder
• Difficulty: Moderate

Tank & Setup Tips

Betta albimarginata thrives in a blackwater or natural biotope setup with soft, slightly acidic water enriched with tannins from Indian almond leaves, driftwood, and leaf litter. Dim lighting and dense surface cover (floating plants like frogbit or water lettuce) replicate their shaded forest stream habitat and help them feel secure.

A small, well-established tank of 10–20 gallons is ideal for a pair or small group. Gentle filtration with very minimal flow is essential — they inhabit still to very slow-moving waters in the wild. Keep the tank tightly covered as bettas are skilled jumpers.

Feeding

Carnivorous micro predators. Thrive on live and frozen small foods: baby brine shrimp, micro worms, daphnia, and small frozen bloodworms. They can often be weaned onto high-quality frozen foods with patience. Feed small amounts 2–3 times daily and condition well on live foods prior to breeding.

Compatible Tank Mates

Best kept as a species-only pair or small group. If kept in a community, choose only very small, peaceful blackwater species that won’t compete aggressively for food — such as chili rasboras, exclamation point rasboras, or pygmy corydoras. Avoid any fish that may intimidate or outcompete them.

Breeding

Betta albimarginata is one of the more readily bred wild bettas in captivity, making it an excellent introduction to wild betta breeding. It is a paternal mouthbrooder — the male incubates the eggs in his mouth for approximately 10–12 days until releasing free-swimming fry. Condition the pair well on live foods beforehand. Fry are small but manageable, accepting baby brine shrimp from the start.

📸 Photos are for reference only. Actual fish may vary slightly in colour and pattern — each one is uniquely beautiful!