Albimarginata Betta Pair (Betta albimarginata)

The Albimarginata Betta (Betta albimarginata), also called the Whiteseam Fighter, is a jewel of the wild betta world: a small mouthbrooding species from the forest streams of eastern Borneo whose males glow fiery red-orange with crisp black-and-white edged fins, the white seam that gives the fish its name. This listing is for a male and female pair, the ideal way to keep and even breed this species. Care level is intermediate; temperament is peaceful and on the shy side. Browse the rest of our live fish and freshwater supplies to build the perfect blackwater setup.

Care Guide

• Tank size: 10 gallons or larger for a pair. A quiet species tank suits them far better than a busy community.
• Lid rule number one: a tight-fitting lid with no gaps is mandatory. Wild bettas are expert jumpers and an open tank is the leading cause of losses.
• Water: soft and acidic is the goal, pH 5.0 to 6.5. This is a true blackwater species, so botanicals matter.
• Temperature: 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C). They come from shaded jungle streams and dislike the high 80s.
• Aquascape: dim lighting, floating plants, driftwood, and a bed of leaf litter and botanicals to stain the water amber and provide cover. Secure fish are colorful fish.
• Diet: carnivore. Small meaty foods only, such as frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, and live blackworms. Many wild bettas ignore dry pellets at first.
• Breeding: paternal mouthbrooder. The male holds the eggs and fry in his mouth for one to two weeks. A settled pair in a quiet tank will often spawn on their own.
• Max size: around 2 inches (5 cm).

Specifications

Compatibility

Albimarginata are best kept as a single pair in their own species tank, which is also where they color up and breed most reliably. If you want tankmates, choose only small, calm, non-competitive fish such as small rasboras or pygmy Corydoras, and watch that they do not outcompete the shy bettas at feeding time. Avoid fin-nippers, boisterous barbs, and anything large enough to bully them. Do not keep more than one male per tank unless the tank is large and heavily scaped, and never mix them with fancy Betta splendens.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• SFBB Frozen Bloodworms, a staple conditioning food for wild bettas
• SFBB Baby Brine Shrimp, perfect small-mouthed food and great for fry
• ZooMed Betta Mopani Wood, natural driftwood for cover and gentle tannins
• Galapagos Cholla Wood, more botanical cover and biofilm for the blackwater look
• Seachem StressGuard, slime coat support for acclimation day

FAQ

Is this really a pair?
Yes. This listing is for one male and one female, the natural social unit for this mouthbrooding species and the setup you need if you hope to breed them.

How is it different from a pet-store betta?
Betta albimarginata is a wild species, not a fancy strain. It is smaller and more subtly colored than a show Betta splendens, broods eggs in the male's mouth instead of a bubble nest, and is peaceful enough that a true pair lives together happily.

Do I need blackwater?
It is strongly recommended. Soft, acidic, tannin-stained water from driftwood and leaf litter brings out their color, keeps them healthy, and triggers breeding.

Will they jump?
Yes, like all wild bettas. Keep a tight lid with every gap covered and the water line an inch or two down.