Betta

Betta splendens

The Siamese fighting fish: gorgeous, intelligent, and fiercely territorial. Never keep two males in the same tank.

A semi-aggressive freshwater fish that grows to 6.5 cm, lives near the surface and needs 24–30 °C, pH 6.0–7.8 and an aquarium of at least 20 L.

Care at a glance

Water

Freshwater

Temperature

24–30 °C (75–86 °F)

pH

6.0–7.8

Adult size

6.5 cm (2.6 in)

Aquarium

20 L or bigger (5 US gal)

Temperament

Semi-aggressive

Group size

Fine on its own

Swims

Top

Diet

Carnivore

Wild home

Rice paddies of Thailand

Good to know

• Solo male. Two males of this species fight to the death.
• Long fins. An easy target for fin nippers.

Tank mates

Good company: Amano Shrimp, Bloodfin Tetra, Bristlenose Pleco, Cardinal Tetra, Cherry Barb, Chili Rasbora, Corydoras, Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish, Ember Tetra, Endler's Livebearer.

Will eat: Crystal Red Shrimp, Neocaridina Shrimp.

Eaten by: Asian Arowana, Axolotl, Flowerhorn, Frontosa, Jack Dempsey, Motoro Stingray, Ornate Bichir, Oscar, Siamese Tigerfish.

Attacked by: Demasoni Cichlid, Flowerhorn, Jack Dempsey.

Harassed by: Black Skirt Tetra, Pea Puffer, Serpae Tetra, Tiger Barb.

Eats the newborn fry of: Black Skirt Tetra, Bloodfin Tetra, Boesemani Rainbowfish, Cardinal Tetra, Celestial Pearl Danio, Cherry Barb, Chili Rasbora, Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid, Congo Tetra, Corydoras, Demasoni Cichlid, Dwarf Gourami and 23 more.

Its fry are eaten by: Angelfish, Bala Shark, Black Ghost Knifefish, Black Skirt Tetra, Bloodfin Tetra, Boesemani Rainbowfish, Clown Loach, Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid, Comet Goldfish, Congo Tetra, Discus, Dwarf Gourami and 17 more.

Grown ones eat their own newborn fry, so raise the young in another aquarium.

Colours and breeding

• Royal Blue uncommon
• Crimson Red uncommon
• Koi uncommon
• Mustard Gas uncommon
• Purple Haze rare
• Golden rare
• Platinum White rare
• Galaxy epic
• Pumpkin rare
• Celestial mythic

In Aquarius a grown male and female breed in a healthy tank. Their young are born about 0.4 cm long and take after one of the parents.

Some pairs give a colour neither parent has:

• Royal Blue × Crimson Red can give Purple Haze
• Koi × Golden can give Platinum White

Now and then a rare mutation shows up: Galaxy, Platinum White.

The care values are the ones Aquarius uses, based on how these animals live. Tank mates follow the game's rules: water type, temperature and pH, who can swallow whom, fin nipping, temperament and territory.