{"product_id":"alien-fighting-fish-betta-splendens","title":"Alien Fighting Fish | Betta splendens","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe living jewel of the aquarium, the Siamese Fighting Fish flares in colours and finnage no other fish can match, and every one is an individual with real personality. The \"Alien\" is a modern designer strain prized for its metallic, mosaic-scaled body and iridescent sheen. Each betta is sold as a single, hand-picked fish. Give it a warm, gently-filtered, lidded tank and it will dazzle for years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Fighting Fish descends from the shallow, warm, still and often oxygen-poor waters of Thailand and mainland Southeast Asia - rice paddies, ditches and slow floodplains thick with plants. To cope, it evolved a labyrinth organ that lets it gulp air from the surface. \"Alien\" bettas are aquarium-developed hybrids within the Betta splendens complex, not a wild species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlien bettas show dense metallic scaling - coppers, blues, greens and turquoise laid over a dark or steel base in a scaled, \"mosaic\" pattern. Fin shape varies by individual, from short plakat to fuller tails. Males are larger and far more colourful and finned than females.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMales are solitary and will fight, sometimes to the death, so only one male can be kept per tank and never with another male or a similar long-finned fish. Females are more tolerant of each other. Bettas can share space with calm, non-nippy community fish, but many are happiest alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA carnivore and micro-predator. Feed a quality betta-specific pellet as the staple, with regular frozen or live treats such as bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp. Feed small amounts and avoid overfeeding, to which bettas are prone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide a heated, gently-filtered tank of at least 20 litres with a secure lid (they can jump) and a warm, humid air gap above the water for the labyrinth organ. Avoid strong flow, which tires them and shreds their fins. Soft to neutral, stable water suits them best.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA bubble-nesting species. The male builds a raft of bubbles at the surface, wraps the female in a spawning embrace, then tends the eggs and fry in the nest. The pair must be separated after spawning, as the male can turn on the female. Fry need infusoria and very fine foods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBetta splendens\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAlien Fighting Fish (Betta)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoutheast Asia (aquarium-bred hybrid strain)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to about 6-7cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3-5 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMales solitary (will fight); females more tolerant\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 litres or more (one male)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore (micro-predator)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24-28°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0-7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5-20 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHeated nano tanks and calm community aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf kept in a community, choose calm, non-nippy fish such as small rasboras, Corydoras, kuhli loaches and Otocinclus. Many bettas do best as the sole occupant of a well-planted nano.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther male bettas, fin-nippers such as tiger barbs, and bright or long-finned fish (like fancy guppies) that a male may mistake for a rival. Never house two males together.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55351901061411,"sku":"AA1741-S","price":49.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232796164387,"sku":"AA1741","price":59.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/alien-fighting-fish-betta-splendens","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}