{"product_id":"black-samurai-short-fin-fighting-fish-betta-splendens","title":"Black Samurai Short Fin Fighting Fish | Betta splendens","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Black Samurai is a striking short-fin (plakat) Siamese Fighting Fish, dressed in dark, metallic scales with a bold samurai-like patterning. Every betta is an individual with real personality, and this hardy short-finned form swims powerfully without the heavy fins of show strains. Sold as a single adult fish, hand-picked from our stock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBetta splendens originates from the still and sluggish waters of Thailand and the wider Mekong basin, including rice paddies, floodplains, ditches and shallow ponds. These warm, oxygen-poor waters are why the betta evolved a labyrinth organ, allowing it to breathe air gulped from the surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA plakat (short-fin) betta with a stocky, muscular body and short, neat fins in dark, metallic black-blue tones with samurai-style scaling. Males are more intensely coloured with slightly longer finnage; females are a little smaller and rounder. As a labyrinth fish it must be able to reach the surface to breathe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMales are solitary and territorial and will fight, so only one male can be kept per tank, and never with another betta. Short-fin plakats are agile and can be kept with carefully chosen calm tankmates in a larger aquarium, but they are best appreciated on their own. Females are more tolerant of one another but still need space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA carnivore and micropredator that relishes meaty foods. Feed a good-quality betta pellet as the staple and supplement with frozen or live bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp. Feed small amounts and avoid overfeeding, which fouls small tanks quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGive a betta a warm, gently-filtered, well-planted tank of at least 5 litres (ideally 20 litres or more) with a secure lid, leaving a small air gap above the water so it can breathe from the surface. Stable warmth of 24-28°C is important, as bettas suffer in cool water. Gentle flow, soft to neutral water and regular small water changes keep them thriving for years.\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, then wraps the female in an embrace beneath it, catching and placing the eggs. He guards the nest and fry alone, and the pair must be separated afterwards. Breeding requires warm, shallow water and careful conditioning.\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\u003eBlack Samurai Short Fin Fighting Fish (Plakat Betta)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAsia (Thailand and the Mekong basin) - captive-bred strain\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 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\u003e5 litres (heated and lidded)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore\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\u003e6.5-7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3-15 dGH (soft to moderately hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWarm, planted, lidded aquariums (one male only)\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\u003eIn a larger aquarium, calm and non-nippy companions such as small rasboras, Corydoras, Kuhli loaches, Otocinclus and snails. Many keepers simply house a betta on its own, which suits it perfectly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNever keep with another betta (male or female long-term), and avoid fin-nippers such as tiger barbs and serpae tetras, boisterous or aggressive fish, and other flashy long-finned species that may be mistaken for a rival.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55351900930339,"sku":"AA2053-S","price":25.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232796033315,"sku":"AA2053","price":30.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/black-samurai-short-fin-figh-43091484705059-fx.webp?v=1790319641","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/black-samurai-short-fin-fighting-fish-betta-splendens","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}