Dietary Enhancement of Reproductive Performance in the Red Wine Fighting Fish Betta burdigala for Conservation Breeding Programs

Betta burdigala, an endemic species of Bangka Island, is currently classified as Critically Endangered (CR) based on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species due to the degradation of its native peat swamp habitats. Effective ex-situ conservation through controlled breeding is crucial to prevent extinction. This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with vitamin E, vitamin C, and commercial ovulation stimulant on the reproductive performance of B. burdigala. Three breeding pairs, collected from Pergam and Bikang villages, were reared under controlled aquarium conditions. The broodstock were fed natural live feed Daphnia magna enriched with the supplements. Reproductive success was assessed based on egg hatching rate and larval survival. The ovulation stimulant group yielded the highest hatching rate (96.6%) and larval survival (84 larvae), followed by vitamin C (94.4%; 68 larvae) and vitamin E (91.7%; 55 larvae). Water quality parameters remained within optimal ranges: temperature at 28–31.9°C, pH 4.6–5.1, TDS of 8–10 ppm, and EC of 10–16 µS/cm, resembling natural peat swamp conditions. These results highlight the potential of dietary supplementation, particularly ovulation stimulants, to enhance reproductive output in B. burdigala, thereby supporting ex-situ conservation and reintroduction initiatives.