{"product_id":"blue-black-head-veil-tail-betta-splendens","title":"Blue Black Head Veil Tail | Betta splendens","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Siamese Fighting Fish is the living jewel of the aquarium, and this Blue Black Head Veil Tail male carries a dark, inky head that melts into shimmering blue, with the long flowing tail of the classic veiltail form. Every betta is an individual with real personality, flaring in colours and finnage no other fish can match. As a male he must be kept on his own, and reaches around 6–7 cm including his sweeping fins.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBetta splendens comes from the shallow, still and slow-moving waters of Thailand and the wider Mekong basin, including rice paddies, floodplains, ditches and sluggish ponds. These warm, oxygen-poor waters are why the betta evolved a labyrinth organ to breathe air from the surface. Gentle filtration, live plants, leaf litter and plenty of resting spots recreate its home.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis line shows a deep blue-black head grading into iridescent blue across the body and fins, with the broad, downward-draping tail of the veiltail form. Colour deepens as the fish matures and intensifies when he flares. Being long-finned, he swims slowly and elegantly rather than darting about.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eMales are solitary and will fight other males to the death, so keep only one male per tank and never house two together. He can sometimes share a peaceful community with calm, non-nippy fish, but his trailing fins make him a target for fin-nippers. Avoid other bright, long-finned fish that he may mistake for a rival.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA carnivore built for small prey, the betta relishes live and frozen bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp and mosquito larvae, alongside a quality betta pellet as a staple. Feed small amounts once or twice a day and avoid overfeeding, as bettas are prone to bloating.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAs a labyrinth breather he must always be able to reach the surface for air, so never fully seal the tank and always keep a lid, leaving a warm air gap above the water. A heated tank of at least 5 L will keep one betta, though 15–20 L or more gives far better stability and enrichment. Keep temperature at 24–28 °C, pH 6.0–7.5 and soft to moderately hard water, with gentle flow and regular small water changes. Completely plant safe.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBettas are bubble-nest builders. The male blows a raft of bubbles at the surface, embraces the female beneath it and tends the eggs and fry himself. Pairs must be introduced carefully and the female removed after spawning, as the male can become aggressive. A warm, gently-filtered, well-covered tank with a low water level encourages nesting.\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\u003eSiamese Fighting Fish (Blue Black Head Veil Tail male)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThailand and the Mekong basin (South-East 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\u003e2–4 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 (heated and lidded)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15–20 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore: betta pellets, live and frozen bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp\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\u003e6.0–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft to moderately hard, around 5–20 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 planted tanks\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\u003eIf kept in a community, suitable tank mates include peaceful, non-nippy fish such as small rasboras, ember tetras, corydoras, kuhli loaches, otocinclus and snails. Many keepers prefer to house a male betta on his own.\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, bright long-finned fish like guppies, and large or aggressive species. Avoid strong currents that tire his heavy fins.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55351904403747,"sku":null,"price":10.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232798130467,"sku":"BA9227","price":15.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/blue-black-head-veil-tail-betta-splendens","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}