{"product_id":"apricot-dragon-male-fighting-fish-betta-splendens","title":"Apricot Dragon Male Fighting Fish | Betta splendens","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \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. This Apricot Dragon is a male, sold as the single hand-picked fish shown. Give a betta a warm, gently filtered, lidded tank and it will dazzle for years.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBetta splendens originates on the central plains of Thailand and neighbouring parts of Southeast Asia, where it lives in shallow, warm, slow or still waters such as rice paddies, ditches and floodplains. As a labyrinth fish it gulps air from the surface, so it copes with warm, low-oxygen water but needs a lid and a little warm air space above the water. Gentle planting and warmth suit it best.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Apricot Dragon shows a warm apricot-to-peach body with the thick, opaque, metallic 'dragon' scaling prized in modern bettas. Males carry large, flowing fins that they spread dramatically when displaying. Each fish is unique, and colour and finnage intensify as the fish settles and matures in warm, clean water.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eMale bettas are territorial and will fight, so they must always be kept one male to a tank; never house two males together, and avoid other flashy, long-finned fish that can trigger aggression or fin-nipping. A single male can be kept alone as a centrepiece, or with care alongside calm, non-nippy community fish in a larger tank. Females are more tolerant of each other.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA surface-oriented carnivore that thrives on a staple of quality betta pellets, supplemented with frozen and live foods such as bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp. Feed small amounts once or twice daily and avoid overfeeding, as bettas are prone to bloating.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 5 L, though 10–20 L or larger is far better and easier to keep stable. Keep temperature warm and steady at 24–28 °C with a heater, pH 6.5–7.5 and soft to neutral water, around GH 2–12. Use gentle filtration (bettas dislike strong current), a secure lid with a little air gap, and soft plants or silk decor with no sharp edges that can tear the fins. Generally plant safe.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA bubble-nest breeder. The male builds a raft of bubbles at the surface, courts the female beneath it and wraps around her in an embrace, then tends the eggs and fry in the nest. Breeding requires a separate, carefully managed tank, as the pair must be watched and the female removed after spawning to prevent injury.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBetta splendens\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApricot Dragon Siamese Fighting Fish (male)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThailand and Southeast Asia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 6–7 cm (including fins)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–5 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMales solitary (will fight); females more tolerant\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–20 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore: betta pellets, frozen and live foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft to moderate, around 2–12 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHeated, lidded nano and community aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn a larger tank, suitable tank mates include calm, non-nippy fish such as small rasboras, ember tetras, corydoras, kuhli loaches, otocinclus and snails. A single male is also perfectly happy kept alone.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with other male bettas, fin-nippers such as tiger barbs and serpae tetras, and other flashy, long-finned fish like guppies and fancy goldfish. Avoid boisterous or aggressive species and cool, unheated water.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55351904043299,"sku":null,"price":43.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232797770019,"sku":"AA3533","price":48.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/apricot-dragon-male-fighting-fish-betta-splendens","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}