I picked up a Juvie pack of 9 betta Falx in the swap shop at the past Indy convention. I haven't posted them before now because they hadn't really colored up and they are hard as heck to take a picture of. They are very shy and very fast! But I still happened to get a few decent pictures.



Ha, they can't see me back here!



A male that decided to be a bit bolder than his siblings.



A female of the species.

please check out the IBC's Species Maintenece Program website to learn more about this, and other wild types. They can be found at IBC SMP FALX

They are cuties!!
Falx are small mouthbrooders, and from what I understand, they are not a very difficult species. Still you are lucky. I want some wilds one day!.

Cool Nate! I would love to try wilds someday. ^_^

Yeah from what I understand these are a great species to begin with and are quite prolific. I was quite lucky to get them. But as with all mouth brooders, you do have to watch that the male doesn't starve to death. He will release a batch of fry from his mouth and go right back to spawning without getting his food stores food stores built up enough to sustain him through the hatch.

The other thing is, which is usually well know for bettas but a must with wilds... is a good glass canopy. They are jumpers! I have fed them before and gotten hit as high as the elbow, before they bounced off and plopped back into the water.

Main advice.. don't be intimidated by wilds. They are not too much different and if they are, there is usually a pleathora of guidance available. Pick out one of the species you like and try to get a pair.. or two or ten! They love bigger tanks and are most quite peaceable with each other. I mean what betta view than a 29 gallon tank full of wild betta pairs intermingling and frolicking among the plants and rocks? DO IT ALREADY!

I would like to add that there are several wild species that are quite hardy, and just as easy to care for as Splendens if not easier.
Price is a great indication. The less thrifty priced fish are usually rarer, and harder to care for.
This is not always the case, though.
You know the main reason I don't go for wilds, but as soon as this situation is resolved, like I said, I am first on the list for fry... I'd like to try some falx myself.

Oh wow! That's really neat! I am a little intimidated by wilds. I suppose it's like anything else - education is the key to success. Those guys are cuties!

Well, Imbellis, Smaragdina, and Mahachai are very similar to Splendens, for example, and can even be interbred with Splendens. They just have different preferences, for example, the Mahachai does better in brackish water..
Those three are good starter wilds, you know, to build your confidence..



Splendens


Imbellis


Smaragdina


Mahachai

Mahachi is beautiful...
One day maybe.

Then you're going to love my next kept secret LOL.