Aquarist Species: Betta albimarginata
Aquarist: CEMBettaFan
Species Profile: Betta albimarginata
Common Name: Strawberry Betta, White Seam Betta
Description: A small but fierce maroon and black labyrinth fish with white-margined fins that lives in East Kalimantan blackwater swamps. Their colors intensify or fade to golden-brown depending on their mood and their environment, like tiny chameleons with a limited color palette. Betta albimarginata is closely related to Betta channoides, which is stockier than B. albimarginata and doesn’t have a white margin on its dorsal fin. CARES lists Betta albimarginata as Vulnerable, but the IUCN Red List lists it as Endangered.
Category: Anabantids
Global Region: Asia
Distribution: East Kalimantan, Indonesia
CARES Classification: Vulnerable
Aquarist Notes
Photo of aquarist's species:
Collection Point: Mansalong
Genetic Line: F0 Wild Caught
Line Traits: Thicker white band on caudal, dorsal, ventral, anal fins then other collection locations. Some females will onto display a thicker white band.
Year Acquired: 2024
Bought original pair from Blackwater Aquatics. Bred three spawns from original pair. Acquired two new wild caught males in Summer 2025. Several spawns with original female until both original male and female passed. Now have the two f0 male sin with f1 offspring. Have had spawns but only have one f2 baby currently. Know of MASI club members with successful f2 spawn
Spawning notes:
Species Spawned: Yes
6 gallon tank with pair then 20 gallon tank with female and 2 males. Used RO water with added botanicals and blackwater additive.LIVE FOOD ONLY. males generally brooded 16 to 18 days. Better success when it was one female with two males
Have Reared Fry? Yes
Feed every other day with baby Brine shrimp, then grindal worms and finally live blackworms. Better survival rate when less fish in tank. Currently only have one f2 fry. Water changed once a month