Wild bettas are a good option to keep as a pet, though less common. Betta splendens — domesticated bettas — are the most common in the industry. They aren’t the only option, however.
There are about 73 types of betta fish species in the world. Most of these species are available as pets, though aquarists may need to do some searching.
Most hobbyists get into wild betta keeping after caring for Betta splendens for a while. Wild bettas are often more difficult to care for since we don’t know as much about them.
With the right knowledge, wild bettas can make excellent pets.
21 Types Of Wild Betta Fish
We’ve included 20 species of wild, freshwater betta fish and the marine “betta.” Consider consulting the list below before deciding on which betta is best.
1. Betta anabatoides — Giant Bettas
- IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
- Size: 5-7 in (12.7-25.4 cm)
- Origins: Southern Kalimanta, Indonesia
Giant bettas are the largest bettas in the world, and they are the result of selective breeding. These large bettas don’t exist naturally in the wild.
Giant bettas have short fins, though the dorsal and caudal fins are fan-like and flowy. Their bodies mostly come in red, blue, black, and white colors.
These large fish have shorter lifespans than smaller species due to lowered immunity. They can live for two to five years like other species with the right care, though it’s less common. Giant bettas are more susceptible to bacterial infections.
2. Strawberry Bettes — Betta albimarginata
- IUCN Red List Status: Endangered
- Size: 1-1.2 in (2.5-3 cm)
- Origins: East Kalimantan, Indonesia & Borneo
Betta albimarginata are less colorful than many of the other wild betta species. Their bodies are a dull gray-brown, though the males are often a light strawberry color. These bettas may also have some black speckling on their heads and bodies. The gray-brown coloration radiates about one-third of the way into their short fins. The gray-brown color stops and is replaced with a jet-black band. The final third of the fins comprises a white band.
3. Betta brownorum
- IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
- Size: 1-1.2 in (2.5-3 cm)
- Origins: Borneo — Malaysia
Betta brownorum, or Brown’s betta, is a long, slender fish with a long face. Its body and short fins are almost completely dark red. At the center of the body is a circle of shimmering blue-green scales.
These bettas live in the Malaysian part of the island of Borneo. They live in blackwater streams and peat swamps. These habitats have little light and thick vegetation.
4. Betta channoides
- IUCN Red List Status: Endangered
- Size: 1.6 in (4 cm)
- Origins: Eastern Kalimantan, Indonesia
Betta channoides have stockier bodies than many other species. Their heads are long and thick, with large mouths and eyes.
Some hobbyists call this fish the “snakehead” betta. The length and thickness of the head resemble that of a snake.
Their bodies are a deep red with black on the top of their heads. Their fins are dark red to black, lined with a sharply contrasting white.
These fish are small, though they have large mouths. They are mouthbrooders that care for the eggs inside their mouths.
Betta channoides are native to small blackwater streams of Indonesia.
5. Betta coccina
- IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
- Size: 1.6-2 in (4-5 cm)
- Origins: Malaysia & Sumatra, Indonesia
Betta coccina is one of the most recognizable wild bettas due to its rich red coloration. Their coloration earns them the nickname “wine betta.” Their deep red coloration is even darker than most others on this list.
The red turns almost black toward the face. The lightly-colored eyes stand out in stark contrast against their dark bodies.
Besides the rich red base color, they have some iridescent blue or green spotting on their bodies. There are white streaks on their fins, and they have two red spots on their faces, slightly above their gills. Their faces are slender and end in a downward point.
Their pelvic, anal, and dorsal fins are long and slender and end in a sharp point. The caudal fin also ends in a point, though it fans out in a large circle first.
Little vegetation exists in these bettas’ habitats. Leaves and other organic matter litter the floor of the small streams where they live. The organic matter makes the water incredibly acidic, with a pH of about 3.0 to 4.0.
6. Betta foerschi
- IUCN Red List Status: Endangered
- Size: 1.6-2 in (4-5 cm)
- Origins: Western Borneo
Betta Foerschi is a dark-colored betta with speckles of iridescent colors. Most notably, they have bright red cheek spots above their gills.
These bettas live in the swamps of Mandor, Borneo, where the water may only be a few inches deep. Large trees create a canopy above the water to shade the bettas below. There isn’t much vegetation, though what lives there grows thickly.
7. Betta hendra
- IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered
- Size: 1.6 in (4.1 cm)
- Origins: Southern Kalimantan, Indonesia
Betta hendra have slender bodies and short fins with desirable spotting. The base color of their bodies is dark. They have bright, iridescent spotting on their bodies and fins that are dark blue or green.
They also have two bright red blotches on their faces above their gills.
These bettas live in Borneo, Indonesia, in the southern area of Kalimantan. Their habitat exists in the Sebangau drainage, where the pH is highly acidic, about 4.0 to 5.0. The bettas usually live in small pools of water with plenty of organic material.
8. Betta hipposideros
- IUCN Red List Status: Endangered
- Size: 2.8-3.1 in (7-8 cm)
- Origins: Peninsular Malaysia
Betta hipposideros is one of the larger bettas on this list, with a long, streamlined body. Many of these fish are pale tan with nearly transparent fins.
These bettas live in peat swamp forests and blackwater streams. Many trees surround these habitats to create a thick canopy that provides shade. The substrate is covered in leaf litter and tree roots that are helpful for hiding. Betta hipposideros are used to highly acidic water with a pH as low as 3.0 to 4.0.
9. Crescent Betta (Betta imbellis) — The Least Aggressive Betta
- IUCN Red List Status: least concern
- Size: 2-2.4 in (5-6 cm)
- Origins: Malaysia
The Crescent, or “peaceful” betta, is the most peaceful species of betta fish. These bettas are friendly and get along with other community fish well.
Not only is this species friendly, their bodies are beautiful. These characteristics make them one of the most popular wild bettas.
Their bodies are dark green all over, with flashes of dark red at the tips of their tail fin. The rest of their bodies may have shades of iridescent blues.
Betta imbellis is more peaceful than other species. They still have territorial tendencies toward one another.
They can often live together in pairs comprising one male and one female. They can also live in “sororities” of all females or “harems” of one male and many females. Always watch the bettas for signs of aggression. Separate the aggressors as necessary.
10. Betta mahachaiensis
- IUCN Red List Status: Not Assessed
- Size: 2-2.4 in (5-6 cm)
- Origins: Bangkok, Thailand
Researchers didn’t discover Betta mahachaiensis until a few years ago. Unfortunately, we don’t know much about the species.
These bettas have striking bodies with a base color of red. An iridescent white and blue-green color coats the scales of their bodies. The iridescence also runs through the fins in streaks.
The coloring takes on more of a barring shape in the dorsal fin, creating a unique pattern. Both the caudal and dorsal fin flare out before ending in slight peaks.
11. Brunei Beauty (Betta macrostoma)
- IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
- Size: 3.5-3.9 in (9-10 cm)
- Origins: Borneo
Betta macrostoma are beautiful fish with reddish-orange bodies and fins. The caudal and anal fins have a thick black bar separating the coloring. The dorsal fin has a black spot with a rim of vibrant orange. The fins may also have a thin line of white at the tip.
Hobbyists sometimes refer to these fish as the “holy grail” of bettas. Not only are they bright and beautiful — they are larger than most other betta fish species.
The most noticeable characteristic is their large mouth. They get their name from their abnormally large mouth. Macrostoma means “big mouth.” The word is Latin, and “macro” means “big,” and “stoma” means “mouth.”
Betta macrostoma are mouthbrooders. They use their large mouths to carry their eggs and fry.
12. Betta miniopinna
- IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered
- Size: 1.2-1.4 in (3-3.5 cm)
- Origins: Indonesia
Betta miniopinna have slender bodies that are longer than most other species. Their fins are small, and most of their bodies are deep red.
Their name comes from the Latin words “minius” and “pinna.” “Minius” means “cinnabar-red,” and “pinna” means “fin.” They get their Latin name from the vibrant red of their pelvic fins. Their pelvic fins are richer in color than the rest of their bodies.
Like many other species, these bettas inhabit blackwater streams and peat swamp forests. The dense forest canopies protect them from light, and leaf litter provides shelter. They are comfortable in highly acidic waters with a pH between 3.0 and 4.0.
13. Eyespot Mouthbrooder — Betta ocellata
- IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
- Size: 3.1-3.5 in (8-9 cm)
- Origins: Northeastern Borneo & East Kalimantan, Indonesia
As the name suggests, these bettas are mouthbrooders. The female spits the eggs into the male’s mouth, where he protects them until they hatch.
Eyespot mouthbrooders are small fish with dull, tan-gray bodies. Their fins are short and nearly transparent. Some black speckling exists across their bodies, with a large black spot at the base of their tail fins.
These bettas inhabit areas different from many of the other species. They live in elevated pools, clear and blackwater streams, still ponds, and oxbow lakes. They prefer slow-moving water, even in more turbid habitats. They seek out areas that are more stagnant to make their homes.
Eyespot mouthbrooders are some of the most peaceful bettas besides Betta imbellis. They do exceptionally well in community tanks with fish with the same care needs.
14. Betta pallifina
- IUCN Red List Status: Data Deficient
- Size: 4 in (10.2 cm)
- Origins: Kalimantan, Indonesia
These bettas’ bodies have a dark base coloration that is almost black. Iridescent white and blue-green speckling covers the scales of the body, face, and fins. They are less colorful than many of the red species on this list. Even so, their speckling gives them a unique flair.
Betta pallifina is one of the largest betta species. They live in the area of Barito, which exists in Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of Borneo. They are mouthbrooders with large mouths that live in small pools and streams.
15. Penang Betta (Betta pugnax)
- IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
- Size: 2.4-2.8 in (6-7 cm)
- Origins: Peninsular Malaysia
Penang bettas are duller than other species. They have pale gray bodies and brown, horizontal stripping. Their fins are short and translucent brown-gray. Some of the more colorful individuals have shimmering blue-gray hues over their scales.
These bettas live in shallow streams with sandy substrates. Their habitats have less vegetation than most species prefer. Rather than vegetation, they find refuge under leaf litter and tree roots. Some live in peat swamps, though these homes are less common.
“Pugnax” in Latin means “combative.”
16. Betta rubra
- IUCN Red List Status: Endangered
- Size: 1.2-1.7 in (3-4.2 cm)
- Origins: Northern Sumatra
These bettas have deep red bodies with dark vertical bars. Their fins have white edges, and the tail fin ends with a sharp point. The females are far less colorful than the males. Their bodies are usually gray rather than red.
Betta rubra live in blackwater pools such as peat swamp forests. Few other fish or organisms live in the same area as these bettas.
These bettas are mouthbrooders that carry their eggs in their mouths until hatching. Only the male carries the eggs around and cares for the fry. They continue to care for the fry for about two weeks after hatching. During this time in their young lives, the fry remain inside their father’s mouth. The female doesn’t provide any care.
17. Mekong Fighting Fish (Betta smaragdina)
- IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
- Size: 2-2.4 in (5-6 cm)
- Origins: Khorat Plateau, Eastern Thailand
Betta smaragdina is also known as the “Mekong fighting fish” and “emerald betta.” The name “Mekong fighting fish” comes from the region these bettas inhabit. They live in the waters of the Mekong River. The river surrounds the Khorat Plateau in Eastern Thailand.
Their habitats include slow-moving or stagnant waters. These habitats include ditches, streams, ponds, swamps, and rice paddies. These waters are home to submerged and floating vegetation.
Betta smaragdina exhibits beautiful colors, including a deep red body. Some of these fish have sheens of metallic blue-green over their scales. Others’ scales have a white coating.
18. Betta splendens — The Ones We Keep As Pets
- IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
- Size: 2-3 in (5.1-7.6 cm)
- Origins: Southeast Asia
We keep Betta splendens as pets, though wild populations still exist. The wild populations are far different than captive-bred Betta splendens. Once bettas became pets, we began breeding them for color and aggression.
Bright colors were, and still are, more desirable than the wild bettas’ muted colors. Wild bettas have the same green, blue, red, and black colors as captive-bred bettas. The difference is that the wild bettas’ colors are muted to attract less attention. Bright colors are far more noticeable to potential predators. Dull colors help the bettas to blend in better with their environment.
Likewise, wild bettas have shorter fins than captive-bred bettas. Shorter fins make swimming easier and are less noticeable to predators.
Betta fighting was also a popular pastime amongst betta owners. They took the bettas’ aggressive personalities and bred them to become more aggressive. The aggressive bettas then fought against each other. The “sport” of betta fighting is similar to rooster and dog fighting.
Wild bettas are far less aggressive than their captive-bred counterparts. They are territorial, though their fights rarely end in death. Flaring the beard and gills at an opponent is often enough to deter fighting. The weaker fish usually turns tail and swims away rather than standing its ground.
19. Betta uberis
- IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
- Size: 1.5 in (3.8 cm)
- Origins: Borneo
These bettas are deep red with stunning blue-green iridescence. The iridescence creates vertical streaks about three-quarters of the way through the fins. The fins end with a thick line of red.
The dorsal and anal fins are short, though they end in a sharp point. The caudal fin is short but round. These bettas’ heads are large and round with small eyes.
Betta uberis’ habitat exists around the city of Pangkalan Bun in Borneo. They live in small streams and peat swamps where the pH is low.
20. Betta unimaculata
- IUCN Red List Status: Data Deficient
- Size: 3.9-4.5 in (10-11.5 cm)
- Origins: East Kalimantan, Indonesia
Betta unimaculata is a type of betta with a long, slender body and a short and wide anal fin. The caudal fin is also short, though it is more fan-like. The dorsal fin sits far back on the body and ends in a sharp point. The base color of their bodies is dark tan-gray. The males often have a sheen of metallic blue-gray over their scales and fins.
These bettas live in a variety of habitats. They may live in clear, fast-moving streams or elevated pools and headwaters. In fast-moving areas, the fish seek out slow-moving pockets of water with vegetation. One population lives at the top of a rainforest waterfall with sandstone substrate.
21. Marine Betta Fish (Calloplesiops altivelis)
- IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
- Size: Up to 7.9 in (20 cm)
- Origins: Indo-West Pacific
The name “marine betta fish” is a misnomer because it’s not really a betta fish. We wanted to include it here, though, as it gets its name because it looks like a betta fish. These fish are more often known as “comets” in the marine aquarium hobby.
The long, slender body and flowing fins resemble the freshwater betta species. They are striking fish with dark, blue-black bodies with white speckling.
They are a good option for anyone that wishes they could keep a true betta fish in their saltwater tank.
Other Wild Types Of Bettas
A list of all 73 wild-types bettas would be exceptionally long. We’ve only included species most commonly kept as pets.
Below, we’ve included a list of most of the other wild betta species and their IUCN Red List Status.
- Betta antoni (endangered)
- Betta akarensis — Akar Betta (data deficient)
- Betta apollon (data deficient)
- Betta aurigans (data deficient)
- Betta balunga (data deficient)
- Betta bellica — Slender Betta (least concern)
- Betta breviobesa (vulnerable)
- Betta burigala (critically endangered)
- Betta chini (endangered)
- Betta chloropharynx (critically endangered)
- Betta copuncta (data deficient)
- Betta cracens (critically endangered)
- Betta dennisyongi (vulnerable)
- Betta dimidiata (vulnerable)
- Betta edithae (least concern)
- Betta enisae (data deficient)
- Betta falx (least concern)
- Betta ferox (data deficient)
- Betta fusca (critically endangered)
- Betta gladiator (least concern)
- Betta ibanorum (vulnerable)
- Betta ideii (data deficient)
- Betta krataios (data deficient)
- Betta kuehnei (data deficient)
- Betta lehi (vulnerable)
- Betta livida (endangered)
- Betta mandor (endangered)
- Betta midas (vulnerable)
- Betta obscura (data deficient)
- Betta omega (critically endangered)
- Betta pallida (data deficient)
- Betta pardalotos (critically endangered)
- Betta patoti (endangered)
- Betta persephone (endangered)
- Betta pi (endangered)
- Betta picta — Spotted Betta (near threatened)
- Betta pinguis (critically endangered)
- Betta prima (least concern)
- Betta pulchra (data deficient)
- Betta raja (least concern)
- Betta renata (vulnerable)
- Betta rutilans (critically endangered)
- Betta schalleri (endangered)
- Betta simorum (vulnerable)
- Betta simplex — Krabi Mouth-Brooding Betta (critically endangered)
- Betta smaragdina — Emerald Betta (not assessed)
- Betta spilotogena (endangered)
- Betta stigmosa (data deficient)
- Betta stiktos (data deficient)
- Betta taeniata (data deficient)
- Betta tomi (endangered)
- Betta tussyae (endangered)
- Betta waseri (endangered)
Which Species Of Wild Bettas Make The Best Pets?
We prefer Betta imbellis because of its friendlier personality and bright colors. These bettas do better in community tanks than Betta splendens and other species.
Whichever species is best really depends on the hobbyist. Before choosing, they must consider what they want and need in a pet betta.
