Betta persephone facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Betta persephone |
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The Persephone Betta (Betta persephone) is a special type of labyrinth fish. It's found only in Malaysia, specifically in the state of Johor. This fish gets its name from Persephone, a queen in Greek mythology. She was known as the queen of the Underworld, which fits this fish's mostly dark, almost black color.
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What Does It Look Like?
The Persephone Betta is a small fish. It grows to about 2.6 centimeters (1 inch) long. Male Persephone Bettas are mostly a shiny blue-black color. Female bettas of this species are usually a brownish color.
Where Does It Live?
The Persephone Betta lives in a very small area of Malaysia. Its main home is a place called Ayer Hitam in Johor. This fish likes to live in soft, slightly sour water. The water temperature is usually between 23 and 28 degrees Celsius (73-82 degrees Fahrenheit).
Its Special Home
This betta's home is often in dark forests. The sunlight doesn't reach the forest floor much. It lives in "blackwater" streams and swampy areas. These places have lots of plants along the banks. The fish hides among the roots of trees that are underwater. Sometimes, if the water dries up, it might live temporarily in wet leaves on the ground.
What Does It Eat?
In its natural home, the Persephone Betta eats small insects. It also feeds on other tiny creatures without backbones.
How It Lays Eggs
This fish is a "bubble nester." The male betta builds a ball of bubbles. He makes this bubble nest among plants that are underwater. The female then lays her eggs inside this special bubble nest.
Why Is It Endangered?
The Persephone Betta is listed as "Endangered" by the IUCN Red List. This means it's at high risk of disappearing forever. Its natural home is very small. This area is also getting smaller all the time.
Threats to Its Home
The biggest problem for the Persephone Betta is that its forest home is being cut down. These forests are cleared to plant oil palm trees. This takes away the swampy water areas where the fish lives.
Helping the Persephone Betta
It can be tricky to keep this delicate fish in aquariums. However, people have successfully bred them in captivity. This helps to protect the species.
