Betta coccina
VU

Betta coccina

Declining

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betta_coccina

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Betta coccina faces severe pressure from habitat destruction as peat swamp forests across Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra are cleared for palm oil plantations and urban development. The species' specialized requirements for acidic, tannin-rich waters make it particularly vulnerable to water quality changes from agricultural runoff and industrial pollution. Collection for the international aquarium trade adds additional pressure on wild populations, especially given the species' limited distribution and slow reproductive rate in degraded habitats.

Threat summary

Habitat

Betta coccina inhabits shallow, slow-moving streams and pools within peat swamp forests of Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra. These environments are characterized by extremely soft, acidic water (pH 3.0-5.0) stained dark brown by tannins from decomposing organic matter, with temperatures ranging from 22-28°C.

Wetlands (inland) - Bogs, marshes, swamps, fens· major

Conservation measures underway

Resource & habitat protectionSpecies managementSpecies recoveryAwareness & communications

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Betta coccina classified as Vulnerable?
Betta coccina is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Betta coccina faces severe pressure from habitat destruction as peat swamp forests across Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra are cleared for palm oil plantations and urban development. The species' specialized requirements for acidic, tannin-rich waters make it particularly vulnerable to water quality changes from agricultural runoff and industrial pollution. Collection for the international aquarium trade adds additional pressure on wild populations, especially given the species' limited distribution and slow reproductive rate in degraded habitats.
Where does Betta coccina live?
Betta coccina occurs in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Betta coccina?
The main threats to Betta coccina 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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