Betta pulchra Tan & Tan 1996

In comparison with other members of the B. pugnax species group, this can be differentiated by the following combination of characters: presence of chin-bar; absence of dark marks below postorbital stripe on opercle; presence of dorsal transverse bars; caudal transverse bars present only in male; greenish iridescent scales on opercle and body; anal fin with red subdistal border and black edge; caudal fin without distal dark edge; anal-fin rays 24-28 (mode 26); lateral scales 28-30 (mode 29); postdorsal scales 10-11 (mode 10); pelvic fin length 29.1-53.2% SL; head length 32.7-37.6% SL; inter-orbital width 34.3-41.8% HL (Ref. 56613).

Exhibits paternal mouthbrooding habit.

Dorsal spines (total): 1 - 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 9; Analspines: 1 - 2; Analsoft rays: 22 - 26; Vertebrae: 29

Found in blackwater habitats common only in the overgrown bank vegetation of the irrigation canals. The pH of the waters range from 3.9 to 4.2. A paternal oralbrooder, the fry are not molested unless adults are straved. Juveniles at about 15 mm long exhibit some iridescence on the body (Ref. 13220).

Inhabits peat swamp forests (Ref. 84801). Occurs in blackwater habitats and commonly found only in the overgrown bank vegetation of the irrigation canals. Paternal Mouth brooder (Ref. 13220).

Betta pulchra is a species of gourami endemid that is found in Johor, Malaysia. It is an inhabitant of the acidic black waters of peat swamps where it is found amongst vegetation. This species grows to a length of 5.6 centimetres (2.2 in) SL.