Biotope of Betta Livida seri iskandar breeding tank

Habitat and biotope are words closely related. They refer to life, land and parameters of the area. In the world of aquaria, the term biotope describes aquarium setup that replicates conditions like water parameters, plants, substrate and lighting. I try not to be very technical about biotope of betta livida (seri iskandar) breeding tank. I will focus on what's going on in the mind of the layman or a wild betta breeder on his first few attempt at reproduction.

The tank should have two distinct corners, one for nesting and the other for hiding. Betta Livida breeding is about a male making bubbles under a leaf at one corner and as soon as mating rituals done, the female will be chased away so she needs a far corner to hide.

Nesting corner is where the whole mating rituals will take place. The male will make bubbles underneath pegaga leaf and placed eggs released by female during mating rituals there. Nesting corner is full of pegaga plants, portions of pandan leaves and of course the tiny duckweeds.

Pic1: Nesting corner with pegaga plants

Hiding corner is where mahang and ketapang leaves are placed over two 1" white pvc short pipes. This corner will be the feeding corner during the 7 days of breeding process.  The female can easily run and hide here if it needs to be.

Pic2: hiding corner for female to run and hide

A rather large 2.5" pvc elbow is placed in the middle of the tank. It separates the two sides.  I always use RO water for breeding, 3 inches in depth. In an attempt to lower ph a bit, mahang and ketapang leaves left for a week or so will do the work.  

Pic3: Nesting corner on the left, 
with large 2.5 inches pvc elbow on the right

For beginners, the set up and biotope for betta livida breeding will work fine.  No measuring tools! Its about what is right. Once we wish to go serious with breeding and want to explore more, then the whole biology and biotope parameters for betta livida breeding tank will get in. 

Pic4: small breeding tank on the left,
the male LM1s.i.
and the female LF1s.i. 
Both get into the breeding tank on 11/11/2020

Bangchik 

Seri Iskandar