Betta burdigala
CR

Betta burdigala

Unknown

Photo: Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

Overview

Betta burdigala is a species of gourami endemic to Bangka Island in Indonesia. It is an inhabitant of peat swamps. This species grows to a length of 2.5 cm (0.98 in).

Betta burdigala is restricted to a small number of peat swamp forest and blackwater stream localities in Sumatra, Indonesia, where ongoing conversion of land for oil palm and rubber plantations has destroyed and fragmented much of its native habitat. Drainage and clearance of peat swamp forest alters water chemistry and reduces the acidic, tannin-stained conditions this species depends on, while remaining populations are increasingly isolated. Collection for the ornamental aquarium trade adds further pressure on the few known wild populations, compounding the effects of habitat degradation.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits acidic, tannin-stained blackwater streams and pools within lowland peat swamp forests of Sumatra, typically in shaded, slow-moving waters with dense leaf litter and low pH.

FRESHWATER· major

Conservation measures underway

Resource & habitat protectionSpecies managementSpecies recoveryAwareness & communications

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Betta burdigala classified as Critically Endangered?
Betta burdigala is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Betta burdigala is restricted to a small number of peat swamp forest and blackwater stream localities in Sumatra, Indonesia, where ongoing conversion of land for oil palm and rubber plantations has destroyed and fragmented much of its native habitat. Drainage and clearance of peat swamp forest alters water chemistry and reduces the acidic, tannin-stained conditions this species depends on, while remaining populations are increasingly isolated. Collection for the ornamental aquarium trade adds further pressure on the few known wild populations, compounding the effects of habitat degradation.
Where does Betta burdigala live?
Betta burdigala occurs in Indonesia. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Betta burdigala?
The main threats to Betta burdigala are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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