Name: Copper Smaragdina Betta – Wild Mouthbrooding Betta
Brand: Microworms.in
SKU: BETTA-COPPER-SMARAGDINA
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.56 (16 reviews)

Question 1

What is the Copper Smaragdina Betta?

Accepted Answer

The Copper Smaragdina Betta is a colour form of Betta smaragdina — the Emerald Betta — a wild betta species native to rice paddies and slow-flowing streams in northeastern Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. The Copper form displays a warm, burnished copper-gold metallic iridescence with blue-green scale edging — a complex, multi-layered colour that shifts between copper, rose-gold, bronze and teal with light angle and viewing direction. It is one of the most visually striking wild betta colour morphs and is highly sought-after by serious wild betta collectors in India.

Question 2

Is the Copper Smaragdina a mouthbrooder — what does that mean?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Betta smaragdina is a paternal mouthbrooder, which fundamentally distinguishes it from the domestic betta and bubblenest-building wild species like the Mahachai. After spawning, the male collects all fertilised eggs into his mouth and holds them there for 10–14 days, providing protection, oxygenation and care. He does not eat during this period. At the end of the brooding period he releases fully-formed, free-swimming fry. This behaviour is extraordinary to observe and produces smaller clutches (20–50 fry) of very strong, well-developed juveniles compared to bubblenest species.

Question 3

Why is only the Pair currently in stock?

Accepted Answer

The Copper Smaragdina is a rare wild betta form that we breed in carefully managed small batches. The current batch has produced a pair available for sale. Individual males and females from the same batch will be listed when the next breeding cycle produces surplus stock. We prioritise quality and controlled production over continuous high-volume availability. The pair option is also the recommended purchase for anyone wanting to breed this species — you receive a genetically matched, compatible male and female from the same bloodline.

Question 4

What tank size does the Copper Smaragdina pair need?

Accepted Answer

A minimum of 30–40 litres for a permanent pair setup. The tank must have a tight-fitting lid — Smaragdina are strong jumpers. Dense planting with Java Fern, Anubias and floating plants provides essential cover that allows the female to escape male attention between breeding cycles. A gentle sponge filter or no filtration (with regular water changes) is ideal — Smaragdina prefer still to very slow water. Indian almond leaves are highly recommended as the tannins they release mimic the natural habitat and reduce stress significantly.

Question 5

How does breeding a mouthbrooder differ from breeding a domestic betta?

Accepted Answer

The key differences are: Smaragdina do not build a bubblenest — the male holds eggs in his mouth. The male must not be fed during the 10–14 day brooding period. After spawning, remove the female carefully to prevent her from disturbing the brooding male or eating the eggs. Do not stress or disturb the tank during brooding — the male may spit out the eggs prematurely if stressed. Clutch sizes are smaller (20–50 fry) but fry are released as fully-formed free-swimmers, larger than bubblenest fry, and begin eating immediately. Live Microworms from Microworms.in are ideal first food.

Question 6

What are the water parameters for Copper Smaragdina?

Accepted Answer

Temperature: 24–30°C — consistent temperature is more important than exact value. pH: 6.0–7.5 — soft, slightly acidic water is ideal and replicates natural habitat. Indian tap water, dechlorinated and buffered slightly with Indian almond leaves, is suitable for most Indian cities. Water hardness: soft to moderate. Indian almond leaves (2–3 per 20L) are highly recommended — the tannins provide natural antimicrobial properties and maintain slightly acidic conditions that benefit health and colour. Weekly 20–25% partial water changes are essential.

Question 7

What live foods are best for the Copper Smaragdina?

Accepted Answer

Live Microworms are the most important food for conditioning Copper Smaragdina — they provide daily protein, stimulate breeding readiness and are the ideal first food for mouthbrooding fry when released. Daphnia or Moina (available at Microworms.in) provide natural carotenoids that support the copper-gold colour expression and are excellent conditioning foods. Frozen Artemia (brine shrimp) 3x weekly provides astaxanthin that deepens the copper metallic iridescence visibly over 3–4 weeks. Rotate all three alongside quality betta pellets for balanced nutrition.

Question 8

Can I keep the Copper Smaragdina with other fish?

Accepted Answer

The Copper Smaragdina is best kept as a species-only pair or as the only betta in a community tank with small, peaceful fish. Males are territorial and will display aggressively toward other male bettas — never house two males together. With peaceful community fish (small tetras, rasboras, corydoras), Smaragdina generally coexist without issues if the tank has sufficient plants and space. Avoid tank mates that nip fins. During breeding, move the pair to a dedicated species tank to eliminate disturbance and reduce stress on the brooding male.

Question 9

How many fry does the Copper Smaragdina produce per spawn?

Accepted Answer

Mouthbrooding betta species produce significantly smaller clutches than bubblenest builders — typically 20–50 fry per mouthbrood. However, the fry released are much larger and more developed than bubblenest fry, beginning to eat and swim immediately on release. Survival rates of mouthbrooder fry are typically very high because of the extended protection during development. A healthy, well-conditioned Copper Smaragdina pair in good conditions typically spawns every 6–10 weeks once a breeding rhythm is established.

Question 10

Will the Copper Smaragdina colour improve after purchase?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the copper iridescence deepens and becomes more complex and vivid over the first 3–6 months with proper live food conditioning and appropriate water chemistry. The astaxanthin from Frozen Artemia (available at Microworms.in) is particularly effective at intensifying the copper-gold metallic layer. Indian almond leaf tannins reduce stress and allow the fish to display its full colour at rest rather than only during flaring. A dark background and substrate reveal the shifting copper-to-bronze iridescence at its most dramatic.

Question 11

What is the difference between Smaragdina and Mahachai wild bettas?

Accepted Answer

Both are wild bettas native to Thailand but are distinct species with important differences. Betta mahachaiensis (Mahachai) comes from coastal brackish swamps near Bangkok and is a bubblenest builder — the male constructs a surface nest of bubbles and guards it. Betta smaragdina (Smaragdina) comes from rice paddies and streams in northeastern Thailand and is a mouthbrooder — the male holds eggs in his mouth for 10–14 days. Smaragdina is generally slightly larger (6–8 cm) and has a more elongated body. Care requirements are similar but the breeding biology is fundamentally different.

Question 12

How do I acclimate the Copper Smaragdina pair on arrival?

Accepted Answer

Float the sealed bag for 20 minutes to equalise temperature. Then add small amounts of tank water to the bag over 15 minutes before releasing. Release male and female into separate sections divided by a mesh divider or into separate tanks initially — allow 24–48 hours of adjustment before introducing them together. Keep lights dim for the first day. Offer Microworms after 6–8 hours once both fish are actively exploring. The male can be introduced to the female's section after 48 hours when both fish are eating and settled, with dense plant cover in place.

Parameter	Value
Scientific Name	Betta smaragdina
Colour Form	Copper-gold metallic + blue-green edging
Origin	NE Thailand, Laos, Cambodia
Breeding Type	Paternal Mouthbrooder
Clutch Size	20–50 fry
Adult Size	6–8 cm
Temperature	24–30°C
pH Range	6.0–7.5
Care Level	Intermediate to Advanced

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