{"product_id":"api-api-betta-betta-mulyadii-freshwater","title":"Api Api Betta (Betta mulyadii)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eApi Api Betta\u003c\/strong\u003e is a tiny jewel from the peat swamps of Riau, Sumatra: a deep red wild betta barely an inch and a half long, with dorsal, tail and ventral fins picked out in electric blue and white. Long traded under just its collection locality as \u003cem\u003eBetta\u003c\/em\u003e sp. \"Api Api\" (api means fire in Indonesian), it was formally described in 2025 as \u003cem\u003eBetta mulyadii\u003c\/em\u003e, a member of the \u003cem\u003eBetta coccina\u003c\/em\u003e complex. This is a bubblenesting species, not a mouthbrooder, and it is a genuine specialist fish: care level is advanced and it wants real blackwater. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\"\u003elive fish\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater supplies\u003c\/a\u003e to set the tank up properly first.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eChoose Your Fish\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMale:\u003c\/strong\u003e intense red with longer, more pointed fins carrying bright blue margins. The one you see in the photos.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFemale:\u003c\/strong\u003e duller brownish red, plumper, with shorter rounded fins.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePair:\u003c\/strong\u003e one male and one female. This is the way to buy them if you have any interest in breeding, and a settled pair is also the lowest-risk way to keep the species.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10 gallons for a pair. A footprint around 45 by 30 cm with plenty of cover beats anything taller and narrower.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLid rule number one:\u003c\/strong\u003e a tight-fitting lid with no gaps is mandatory. These are strong jumpers, and the labyrinth organ also needs a pocket of warm humid air above the waterline.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e this is the part that decides whether you succeed. Soft and genuinely acidic, pH 5.0 to 6.0 and 3 dGH or below, with near-zero KH. Hard alkaline tap water will not work. Plan on RO water plus peat, botanicals, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-catappa-leaves-10pk\"\u003ecatappa leaves\u003c\/a\u003e to hold the pH down and stain the water tea-brown.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75 to 82°F.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStability over perfection:\u003c\/strong\u003e swings in pH and hardness kill more coccina-group bettas than any wrong number does. Small frequent water changes with matched RO-based water, never a big sudden one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAquascape:\u003c\/strong\u003e dim lighting, thick floating plant cover, driftwood, caves, and deep leaf litter. This fish is shy and will spend its life hiding if the tank is bright and bare.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFiltration:\u003c\/strong\u003e a gentle \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-bacto-surge-foam-filter-sponge-freshwater-saltwater\"\u003esponge filter\u003c\/a\u003e and almost no flow. Their home water barely moves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e micropredator, and a fussy one. Live and frozen foods should be the staple: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-mini-bloodworms-cube-1-75oz\"\u003emini bloodworms\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-baby-brine-shrimp-cube-1-75oz\"\u003ebaby brine shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-bio-pure-freeze-dried-daphnia\"\u003edaphnia\u003c\/a\u003e, and microworm. Some individuals learn to take \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-micro-pellets\"\u003emicro pellets\u003c\/a\u003e, but do not count on dry food alone.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e bubblenester with paternal care, not a mouthbrooder. The male builds a small nest under a floating leaf or inside a cave, eggs hatch in 24 to 48 hours, and fry are free swimming in three to four days. He guards the nest throughout, so leave him alone and keep the tank covered to hold in humidity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eBetta mulyadii\u003c\/em\u003e, described 2025\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlso traded as\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eBetta\u003c\/em\u003e sp. \"Api Api\", Riau Red Betta\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eComplex\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eBetta coccina\u003c\/em\u003e complex\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeat swamp forest, Riau, Sumatra, Indonesia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 1.5 inches (4 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAdvanced\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful, shy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e10 gallons for a pair\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e75 to 82°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e5.0 to 6.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e3 dGH or below, KH near zero\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCarnivore, live and frozen preferred\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBubblenester, paternal care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHonestly, a species-only tank is the right answer. A single pair in a well planted blackwater setup will color up, build nests, and behave naturally in a way they never will in a community. If you do want dither fish, keep to tiny blackwater species that thrive in the same acidic water: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ember-tetra-hyphessobrycon-amandae-freshwater\"\u003eEmber Tetras\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/black-kuhli-loach-pangio-oblonga-freshwater\"\u003ekuhli loaches\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/assorted-dwarf-neocaridina-shrimp\"\u003edwarf shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e. Avoid barbs, danios, larger tetras, gouramis, and \u003cem\u003eBetta splendens\u003c\/em\u003e entirely, since this fish is too timid to compete for food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo not mix coccina-group bettas.\u003c\/strong\u003e Api Api, \u003cem\u003ecoccina\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003erutilans\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003ebrownorum\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003etussyae\u003c\/em\u003e and their relatives all interbreed freely. Keepers maintain these fish by locality, and a hybrid line is effectively lost to the hobby. One species per tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-catappa-leaves-10pk\"\u003eFritz Catappa Leaves\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-catappa-tea-bags\"\u003eCatappa Tea Bags\u003c\/a\u003e, non-negotiable for this species\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-mini-bloodworms-cube-1-75oz\"\u003eSFBB Mini Bloodworms\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-baby-brine-shrimp-cube-1-75oz\"\u003eBaby Brine Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e for a mouth this small\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-bio-pure-freeze-dried-daphnia\"\u003eFreeze-Dried Daphnia\u003c\/a\u003e as an easy everyday option\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-bacto-surge-foam-filter-sponge-freshwater-saltwater\"\u003eHikari Bacto-Surge Sponge Filter\u003c\/a\u003e for near-zero flow\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/malaysian-driftwood-freshwater-aquascaping-hardwood\"\u003eMalaysian Driftwood\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/java-moss-taxiphyllum-barbieri-freshwater-moss\"\u003eJava Moss\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/frogbit-portion-cup-limnobium-spongia\"\u003eFrogbit\u003c\/a\u003e for shade and nesting cover\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a mouthbrooder?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo, and you will see it described that way online. Api Api is a coccina-complex fish and coccina-complex fish are bubblenesters. The male builds a nest and guards the eggs from outside his mouth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy does the name keep changing?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBecause it only just got one. The fish circulated for over a decade under the name of the place it was collected, and a 2025 revision of the \u003cem\u003ecoccina\u003c\/em\u003e complex formally described it as \u003cem\u003eBetta mulyadii\u003c\/em\u003e. Most sellers still use the old trade name, so you will see both.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep it in normal tap water?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNot reliably. This is a true peat-swamp fish and hard alkaline water is the usual reason people lose them. If you are not already running RO water or a dedicated blackwater tank, start with a hardier wild betta and come back to this one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is it more expensive than a splendens?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWild-type bettas come from a small collection area, breed in small clutches, and are not mass produced. This one's home swamp in Riau is being cleared for oil palm, which makes the aquarium population genuinely worth maintaining.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Male","offer_id":49025326317787,"sku":"FW1-F7999-M","price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Female","offer_id":49025326350555,"sku":"FW1-F7999-F","price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Pair","offer_id":49025326383323,"sku":"FW1-F7999","price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/IMG-20230901-WA0008_jpg.webp?v=1784998881","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/api-api-betta-betta-mulyadii-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}