The above Betta was identified as new species by a group of two crew member researchers from UK. Their new identity was confirmed by DNA test resulted last year.
In fact, this Betta is nothing new to us, it is found in the northern part of Pahang near the coast. Herman and I always ID them as Betta bellica juvenile until we realized it was actually a new species. There are no immediate confirmation whether the fish belongs to the biggest bubble nester group, but soon the answer will be revealed as I’m keeping some of them in my aquarium while the researchers processing the fish descriptions.
It was widely distributed in the peat swamp area with highly acidic water parameter, found together with the fish are Paros nagyi, Betta tussyae and etc…
More info and photo is on the way…
11:42 pm on April 22nd, 2010 1
Hi,
I wonder, have they published their findings? I would love to read it. Great posting.
cheers
9:46 pm on April 23rd, 2010 2
No yet but in the process.
10:32 pm on April 23rd, 2010 3
Anyway, you have a nice blog!
4:45 pm on June 17th, 2011 4
Have you new about the description ?
Who working on it?
Finally is thier bubblenester ? bellica group ?
11:17 am on July 7th, 2011 5
No news from them yet. It’s a mouthbrooder.
4:51 pm on July 13th, 2011 6
Hi Joshua,
I can’t wait to find out more about this nice species as well. Thanks for confirming it’s a mouthbrooder. Earlier this year I wrote down my suspicions on Petfrd: “I say this is a mouthbrooder belonging to the Betta akarensis species group, which would make it a first from Malaysia.”
By the way; are you on Facebook Joshua?
Best wishes,
Stefan
8:48 pm on July 13th, 2011 7
Hi Stefan,
Thanks for the interest. I will write to them to find out, will update you guys soon.
We’re heading to Kalimantan tomorrow toward Sintang area, hopefully can find something new. Will update you guys on my blog.
Yeah, search natureye.com@gmail.com on FB.
Josh
5:28 am on July 14th, 2011 8
Hi Joshua,
Thanks in advance and have a good trip! Is the location of the new one kept secret? Have more photographs become available meanwhile? – forgive me my enthusiasm please.
I’ll look you up.
Best wishes,
Stefan
9:46 pm on July 26th, 2011 9
Hi Stefan,
Basically all our locations are kept secret unless for researching purposes.
9:52 pm on July 26th, 2011 10
Hi Joshua,
That makes sense, yes. I asked because a few friends of mine recently fished the area and I got curious if they might have collected it but returned them to their habitat, unknowing it was this new species.
Best wishes,
Stefan
6:21 am on September 15th, 2011 11
Any pics of the adult ?
6:04 pm on January 25th, 2012 12
Hi!
Are there any news about this fish?
Could you make an update with an adult one, please?
Regards, Ritschie
5:35 pm on May 15th, 2012 13
Hi Rit, I have a pair swimming in my aquarium now, there’re doing absolutely well, I hope to update you guys soon.