Betta Patoti is a wild Betta that is growing in popularity
Betta patoti is one of the largest species of betta, belonging to the unimaculata group. This group is made up of generally large and certainly not very attractive species. The only species in this group that is the exception to this rule is B. macrostoma. However, what the members of this group lack in bright colors they make up for in some of the most interesting personalities and behaviors. The following species form the unimaculata group. I strongly suspect that when all is said and done, this number will increase tremendously as new species are found. I also believe that this group of fish will separate from the genus Betta into a genus of its own.
Betta compuncta Tan and Ng, 2006 Betta gladiator Tan and Ng, 2005 Betta ideii Tan and Ng, 2006 Betta macrostoma Regan 1910 Betta ocellata de Beaufort, 1933 Betta palfinina Tan and Ng, 2005 Betta patoti Weber y de Beaufort 1922 Betta unimaculata (Popta 1905 )
Of these species, B. patoti is probably one of the most commonly available, which is not saying much. This Indonesian native reaches about 5 inches in length when fully mature. Unlike many of the wild Bettas, this species is quite tolerant of a wide range of water conditions and as long as you provide it with clean water, it will prove to be a very hardy aquarium inhabitant. Like many of the wild bettas, this species requires slightly lower temperatures than would be expected from a group often thought of as tropical in origin.
Temperatures in the mid to upper seventies are ideal for this species. These fish will take a wide variety of foods and, as is common with most aquarium fish, if they can catch and swallow them, they will eat them. However, diets rich in live black worms should be avoided, as this food seems to cause problems for most bettas if fed exclusively with these. For best results, they should be given a varied diet. Care must be taken when feeding as these fish are voracious eaters and it is not uncommon for them to jump out of tanks in their eagerness to reach food. They will even grab your fingers when they go after food. Also note that like all wild bettas, these are phenomenal escape artists and will find the smallest crack in the deck of your dwelling. They must be kept tightly closed or you will find your fish as small dry carcasses on the ground in no time. Providing the fish with plenty of safe cover in the tank in the form of plants and driftwood, as well as floating plants, will help reduce the incidence of jump kill, but is not a substitute for a good closed top.
If well fed and provided with an environment to its liking, this species is fairly easy to breed. The sexes are fairly similar in coloration and finning, but males will be slightly more intensely colored, especially at breeding time, and may show pronounced lateral banding that the female does not. In my experience, breeding usually takes place during the evening hours and can last for several hours, during which time the female will release her eggs for the male to fertilize. Spawning behavior is typical of most anabantoids with the male embracing the female, at which point the eggs are released and fertilized. The eggs are then picked up by the male or female, if picked up by the female they are spit out in front of the male who will pick them up and hold them in his mouth. Unlike the commonly seen B. splendens, this species does not build a bubble nest, but incubates its mouth, and the male hatches the eggs in 12 to 17 days, with 14 days being the average. Many people suggest separating the female from the male, but I have never found keeping them together to be a problem. Males, like other members of this species group, are likely to eat the eggs around the third day of hatching. No one knows why this occurs, however, removing or leaving the female appears to make no difference as to whether or not the male will swallow the eggs. Once a male begins to successfully retain eggs, they are usually model fathers, however some males simply never obtain it and will continue to swallow eggs throughout their lives. The fry, when finally released, are quite large and can easily catch newly hatched brine shrimp or other small organisms. The parents do not usually eat the fry. However, I have noticed that if the tank space is small, the parents will attack and eat the fry as they approach a new spawning event and it is suggested that the young be removed if their housing is less spacious. 20 gallons is minimum for a pair, larger is recommended esp. if you keep more than one pair together.
This species appears to be less likely to have females reproduce than males, as is common in many of the smaller species; however, the male should still be given a rest period after the fry are released before being allowed to breed again. Due to its relatively non-aggressive nature, this species may be a good candidate for group spawning. Ideally, one female per several males would form the breeding group. However, keep in mind that a 40-60 gallon tank with plenty of coverage will be essential in this case. All in all, this species is well worth the effort and expense to dedicate a tank to them if you come across them.
Gordon Snelling
http://www.tropicalfishresource.com/betta-patoti.html
