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Betta rubra 



C. J. HEEDE 



There seems to be considerable doubt 

 as to the status of the red fighting fish, 

 Betta rubra, as a valid species. Aquarists 

 who have compared it with authentic 

 specimens of Betta splendens consider it 

 little more than a color variety. Even 

 Betta splendens was at one time con- 

 fused with B. pugnax and again with B. 

 trifasciata. 



Few fishes present greater contrast be- 

 tween normal coloration and that as- 

 sumed during breeding periods. Through- 

 out the cooler parts of the year both sexes 

 are dingy brown. But when the tem- 

 perature is raised artificially, or summer 

 approaches, sexual activity is aroused and 

 the male dons gorgeous colors to dazzle 

 his prospective mate. His body then be- 

 comes a rich reddish-brown, passing to a 

 velvety black with a greenish-blue cast, 

 the dark lengthwise stripes becoming 

 more pronounced. The dorsal fin is blue, 

 with dark spots, while the rays of the 

 caudal and anal fins are blood-red, with 

 the membrane greenish-blue. The fe- 

 male remains a rather plain brown, with 

 perhaps a touch of red. 



The red fighting fish is not difficult to 

 breed if maintained under the proper 

 conditions, and lends itself well to ob- 

 servation. If an adequate minimum de- 

 gree of warmth has been provided, breed- 

 ing will commence when the tempera- 

 ture rises to 80 or above. Then the male 

 engages in the construction of the float- 

 ing nest of bubbles, rising to the surface 

 for air and discharging it in the selected 

 location in bubbles formed with the 

 mucus secreted in its mouth. If tiny 

 floating or filamentous plants, such as 



Riccia and Duckweed, are present, they 

 may be used to give strength to the struc- 

 ture. The eggs are extruded just under 

 the nest, the female being assisted by the 

 male, who winds his body about her, 

 head nearly touching tail, with a gentle 

 pressure. The eggs are fertilized as dis- 

 charged, and fall to the bottom, but are 



Betta rubra 



immediately recovered by the male and 

 carried in his mouth, to be placed in the 

 nest. 



The eggs develop rapidly and, at a high 

 temperature, the fry may appear in 20 

 hours. The nest is carefully guarded and 

 kept in repair by the male alone, the addi- 

 tional bubbles added from time to time 

 actually forcing the youngsters up into 

 the foam and above the water surface, 

 which insures them the maximum of air 

 with the required moisture. AM thin a 

 few days the yolk-sac is absorbed, and the 

 fry are free-swimming, and will endeavor 

 to leave the nest. At this time, in aqua- 



