Belontia hasselti

(Cuvier, 1831)

Vernacular names
English : Malay combtail
French : Combtail de Malaisie

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Anabantiformes
Family : Osphronemidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
The species can grow to 20 cm in length. Body laterally compressed, large eyes. Males are pearly-grey, females duller grey to reddish-grey. Numerous white spots on dorsal, caudal and anal fins, black blotch on rear of back.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in South-East Asia, in Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java and Borneo. Lives in peat swamp forest areas, in lowlands.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species seems to remain locally abundant but peat swamps forests are often degraded within its range and this has caused local extinctions.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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