Betta Rutilans is a small red anabantid from BorneoAnabantids, or Labyrinth fish inhabit densely vegetated and often oxygen depleted waters, made possible by a special breathing organ known as the labyrinth organ. The fish gulp airfrom the surface and absorb it through their labyrinth organ.
DISTRIBUTION: Anabantids come from Asia (particularly India and South East Asia), and Africa.
Many Anabantids also have 'feelers' adapted ventral fins, that allow them to feel their way in dark, plant-choked marsh. Breeding is often achieved via the construction of bubble nests, but there are also egg scattering and mouth brooding species.
RECOMMENDED STARTER SPECIES: Dwarf gourami, Siamese fighting fish
Cichlids? There are estimated to be over 2000 different Cichlid species in the wild, of all sizes, shapes and colours. Many require very specialist conditions such as those coming from the sandy/rocky waters of Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika. Others, such as the Apistogramma dwarf cichlids from the Amazon basin require softer water and a well-planted tank. In general cichlids do not make good community fish as they can get quite aggressive, especially when spawning - but a specialist cichlid tank is certainly a sight to behold, and can be very rewarding for the more experienced aquarist