Betta tussuyae

Betta tussyae (“Tussy’s Betta” / “Tussy’s Small Red Fighter”)

Wild-caught Betta tussyae, a beautiful small red wild betta from the Betta coccina complex. This species is native to peat swamp habitats in Peninsular Malaysia, especially blackwater environments with very soft, acidic water. Males usually show stronger red coloration and more extended finnage, while females are typically smaller-looking, shorter-finned, and less intensely colored. Like other coccina-complex bettas, they do best in quiet, heavily covered setups with leaf litter, botanicals, floating plants, and minimal current.

Size: Adults reach around 1.4–1.6 inches, with FishBase listing the species at about 3.7 cm standard length.

Water parameters: Best kept in very soft, acidic blackwater. Aim for a TDS around 30–100 and a pH of 4.0–6.5. Stability matters more than chasing exact numbers.

Temperature: Keep at 72–78°F, with the mid-70s being ideal. CARES also recommends mid-70s Fahrenheit for this species.

Food: Carnivorous. We currently feed live blackworms, frozen bloodworms, frozen daphnia, baby brine shrimp, and high-quality small pellets. They may need live or frozen foods at first, especially if freshly imported.

Important note: This is a small, sensitive blackwater species and should not be treated like domestic Betta splendens. They require soft acidic water, dim lighting, tight lids, and lots of cover. They are bubblenesters and should be given floating plants or surface cover for breeding.

Tankmates: Best kept species-only. A pair can be kept in a 5-gallon tank with heavy cover, while groups should be kept in 20 gallons or larger. Males can be territorial, and fin nipping or chasing should be expected, especially during breeding.