Betta kuehnei Schindler & Schmidt 2008

This species differs from the other species of the Betta pugnax group by having the following combination of characters: rounded caudal-fin; no chin bar and second postorbital stripe; male coloration with intensive blue or bluish-green iridescent (blackish when preserved) area on head sides and on throat from snout tip to posterior edge of opercle; short second central stripe fused with the central stripe above anterior part of anal fin (Ref. 82661).

Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 9; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 23 - 24

The species were collected in shallow water, among aquatic plants (Cryptocoryn cordata) and leaf litter. It is a shaded, forested creek with clear water, colorless (pH 7,0, hardness 3 dGH, temperature about 25°C) (Ref. 82661).

The species were collected in shallow water, among aquatic plants (Cryptocoryn cordata) and leaf litter. It is a shaded, forested creek with clear water, colorless (pH 7,0, hardness 3 dGH, temperature about 25°C). Other labyrinth fishes collected with Betta kuehnei were Trichopsis vittata and Parosphromenus paludicola. A mouthbrooding species and its reproductive behavior similar to that of other species of the Betta pugnax group where males carry the eggs (usually between 40 to 80) in their mouth for about 12 days. The eggs measure 1.0 to 1.4 mm in diameter with the offspring leaving the mouth at size approximately 7 mm. No particular color pattern was observed during spawning (Ref. 82661).

Betta kuehnei is a species of gourami. It is native to Asia, where it occurs in Malaysia and Thailand. It is typically found in shallow, shaded forest creeks among aquatic plants such as Cryptocoryne cordata and leaf litter. The water in which the species occurs is clear, with a pH of 7, a hardness of 3 dGH, and a temperature of 25 °C (77 °F). It is known to occur alongside the species Parosphromenus paludicola and Trichopsis vittata. The species reaches 8 cm (3.1 inches) in total length and is known to be a facultative air-breather. Males of the species exhibit mouthbrooding.