Big Yellow Mouthbrooders, by Stefan vd Voort

Big Yellow Mouthbrooders
The Betta waseri group

by Stefan vd Voort
of Holland
Aquarticles

"Big yellow mouthbrooders" - these are the species of the Betta waseri group which occur in Malaysia, Sumatra and Thailand. Their lack of color makes them not attractive enough for many to keep, but in fact they are very interesting species. In all species of the group the iridescent colors on the gill plates, as in Betta pugnax-types for example, is missing. However all species of the Betta waseri group have golden scales here and there on the body. Presently there are seven described species, and without question more will follow.

There are already four new known species that are not yet described; Betta sp. "Medas" from Indonesia, Betta sp. aff. waseri "Anjungan", Betta sp. aff. waseri "Pekanbaru" and Betta sp. aff. waseri "Pekan Nanas".

To follow, some short information will be provided on every species of the basically unknown, but nonetheless interesting Betta waseri species group:

Betta chloropharynx Kottelat & Ng, 1994
This large mouthbrooder, 13 cm (TL), occurs in Banka. The species obtained its name from the Latin words chloro; meaning green, and pharynx; meaning throat: green throat. Betta chloropharynx has a black '8'-shaped symbol on its throat and two light green dots underneath the jaw. The body is colored light to dark brown with here and there a purple glow. In Banka this species thrives in shallow peat swamps which are sometimes only a few centimeters deep. These habitats consist mainly of leaf litter, in which the inhabitants hide. The pH is 4.5 to 5.5, de GH and KH between 0 and 1. The measured temperature was 27.1°C. This Betta is on the threatened species list because its habitats are being destroyed to make way for plantations for example.

Betta hipposideros Ng & Kottelat, 1994
Also an inhabitant of blackwater biotopes in Selangor, and Perak Malaysia. Measurements concluded a pH between 3.5 and 3.7. The GH, unfortunately, is unknown except for the fact that the value is low. The name of Betta hipposideros also comes from Latin; the name hipposideros was chosen in allusion to the black horseshoe markings on its throat. This mouthbrooder also grows large; about 14 cm (TL). This species has a light brown body with a lighter colored, horizontal bar. The throat is greenish, a color that here and there can also be found in the fins. Its habitats in Selangor and Perak are under a lot of pressure; many have already been destroyed and others soon will be, to make way for palm plantations.

Betta pi Tan, 1998
Betta pi, 12 cm (TL), is the only species of the group which does not occur in extremely acidic water habitats. The species comes from Thailand; peat swamps near Mae Nam Tod Deng and 12 km southwest of Tak Bai. Betta pi is a threatened species also; its natural habitat is being destroyed by the arrival of rubber plantations. Of its natural habitat only the pH value is known, which lies between 5 and 6. Because this big, yellow mouthbrooder has a pi-shaped symbol on its throat it was described as Betta pi. Regarding coloration, this species is quite similar to Betta waseri, which is brownish.

Betta renata Tan, 1998
This species is probably the least known big yellow mouthbrooderof the group, besides B. hipposideros. Only a handful of people have ever seen Betta renata, let alone kept it. Again this species is a blackwater inhabitant, this time from Rantau Panjang; Jambi. Again for this habitat only one measurement is known, a pH of 4.1. Because it's a peat swamp it means the GH and temperature are both in the lower regions. The latest inquiries about whether or not this is also a threatened species, date from around 1994. At that time Betta renata was not on the list; however it's very possible that its status has since changed. One might imagine that this species was named after a person, but in fact that's far from true. The species name renata is Latin, and means kidney. This in allusion to the black, kidney-shaped mark on its throat. This species also grows somewhat large; around 14 cm (TL).

Betta spilotogena Ng & Kottelat, 1994
In Riau Archipelago, especially in North Pulau Bintan, another big yellow Betta can be found that was described as Betta spilotogena and grows to a length of 13 cm (TL). Unfortunately this species is also on the threatened species list. Betta spilotogena thrives in acidic freshwater swamps with a pH between 4.9 and 5.5, and an unknown GH which lies in the low regions due to the nature of the habitat. The scientific name refers to the black spots on the gill cover. On this species' throat are 2 large, oval spots which may join each other forming one large spot. The body of Betta spilotogena is more or less dark brown, with here and there the earlier mentioned golden scales. The fins are brownish, with on the margins and sometimes more central, a beautiful bluish-purple color.

Betta tomi Ng & Kottelat, 1994
Betta tomi is named after Professor Tom Lam Toong Jin of Singapore University, and reaches a length of 14 cm (TL). This Betta is also colored dark brown, however this color can vary to a much lighter coloration with sometimes a dark horizontal stripe pattern, which comes close to black. The beginning of all fins, the actual first fin parts, and the entire dorsal fin, are a beautiful light yellow. In most cases the males also show a wide, green margin in the anal fin. On the throat of Betta tomi are two, somewhat parallel, vertical bars which may not join the lower lip. The species comes from Johor; Malaysia and used to thrive in Singapore as well. However, sadly the species has been extinct in the latter location for many years now. This mouthbrooder lives in acidic freshwater with a pH of 5.5. Unfortunately they are now heavily threatened.

Betta waseri Krummenacher, 1986
Betta waseri was the first species of the group to be discovered and described, and comes from Kuantan area, especially Pahang. There they thrive in blackwater forest streams with a pH around 4 to 5. The water is also extremely soft, but no measurements are known. In forest streams Betta waseri lives in the cover of leaf litter, and the roots of the plants and trees growing on the banks. Kuantan has been under great pressure for a long time now, and as a result more and more habitats of Betta waseri cease to exist. The scientific name of this large mouthbrooder comes from Alfred Waser, the original discoverer of the species. On the throat of this species are two teardrop-shaped spots. The body is simply colored dark brown, which can make way for a much lighter color with a dark, brown-blackish horizontal stripe pattern. The fins are mostly transparent, with a dark brown coloration in the actual beginning of the fins.

Spawning
As mentioned with every species, the Betta waseri group are all mouthbrooders. Because of their size they need large tanks with a minimum length of 100 cm. The height is less important, since these Bettas are used to living in shallow to very shallow waters, sometimes only a few centimeters, so a height of between 20 and 30 cm will do fine. In order to spawn any of these species it's strongly advised to heavily plant the tank in order to create many hiding places.

It's impossible to give a general description of how to spawn the big yellow mouthbrooders because not every species requires the same circumstances. One species, Betta tomi, easily spawns in the presence of other specimens, whilst others require a tank to themselves. However, with every species it's important to maintain the water values mentioned above for optimal care and spawning results.

During spawning an interesting phenomenon may show itself - behavior that looks like a sort of ball game. After an embrace the female gathers the eggs in her mouth. Then she takes position right in front of the male and spits out the eggs one by one in his direction. If the male is fast enough he can obtain the egg; if not, the female takes back the egg. This behavior repeats itself until the male is in possession of all the eggs.

The nests of these yellow mouthbrooders can be rather large; in Betta spilotogena 180 young have been reported which were in the mouth of the breeding male at that time. The young are a respectable length when released by the male; in Betta spilotogena about 6 mm. All the species of the Betta waseri group are almost certainly not cannibalistic, so raising the young with the male and female is possible. After a while many young from different nests and sizes will populate the tank without any problems. However, in this case it's very important that the tank is large enough and is well planted.