{"product_id":"blue-black-head-crowntail-male-betta-splendens","title":"Blue Black Head Crowntail Male | Betta splendens","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Blue Black Head Crowntail is a dazzling male Siamese Fighting Fish, combining a dark head with a shimmering blue body and the dramatic, spiky-rayed fins of the crowntail form. Every betta is an individual with its own personality, and this male will flare and display like no other fish. Sold as a single adult male, 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 crowntail male whose fin webbing is reduced so the rays extend beyond it, giving the fins a spectacular spiky, crown-like edge. The colour is a rich metallic blue over a darker head. Males are the showy, long-finned sex; females are smaller and shorter-finned. 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 keep only one male per tank and never with another betta. In a larger, calm aquarium a male can be housed with carefully chosen peaceful tankmates, though many keepers rightly keep a betta on its own. Crowntail fins can be delicate, so avoid strong currents and fin-nippers.\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 quickly fouls a small tank.\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 essential, as bettas suffer in cool water. Gentle flow protects the delicate crowntail fins, and regular small water changes keep it dazzling 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\u003eBlue Black Head Crowntail Fighting Fish (Male 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, and avoid fin-nippers such as tiger barbs and serpae tetras, boisterous or aggressive fish, strong currents, 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":55351904370979,"sku":"BA9228-S","price":16.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232798097699,"sku":"BA9228","price":21.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/blue-black-head-crowntail-ma-43091484803363-lv.webp?v=1790307189","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/blue-black-head-crowntail-male-betta-splendens","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}