{"product_id":"blue-marble-panda-male-fighting-fish-betta-splendens","title":"Blue Marble Panda Male Fighting Fish | Betta splendens","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis Blue Marble Panda is a male Siamese Fighting Fish, his flowing finnage marbled with blue over a pale body and broken by bold dark 'panda' patches that can shift as he matures. Every betta is an individual with real personality, and as a male he is a solitary showpiece — kept alone, he will flare and dazzle for years. He reaches around 6–7 cm.\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 his home.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe marble pattern splashes blue and dark markings across a pale ground, and because marble genetics are unstable his colours may change over his life. The panda look comes from strong dark patches against the lighter body. As a male he carries long, showy fins and more intense colour than a female.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eMales are strongly territorial and will fight other males to the death, so he must be housed alone or as the only betta in a peaceful community. He can share space with calm, non-nippy tankmates but should never meet another male betta outside controlled breeding.\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 keep a lid with a warm air gap above the water. A heated tank of at least 15 L suits a single male, with 20 L or more preferred. 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 then tends the eggs and fry himself while the female is removed. Pairs must be introduced carefully and watched closely, as aggression is common.\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 Marble Panda 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\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\u003eSolitary and territorial (males will fight)\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\u003e15 L for a single male\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 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 peaceful community 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\u003eSuitable tank mates include peaceful, non-nippy fish such as small rasboras, ember tetras, corydoras, kuhli loaches, otocinclus and snails.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with other male bettas outside controlled breeding, fin-nippers such as tiger barbs and serpae tetras, and large or aggressive species. Avoid strong currents.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55351901520163,"sku":"AA1551-S","price":50.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232796492067,"sku":"AA1551","price":60.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/blue-marble-panda-male-fight-43884047171875-fx.webp?v=1790319639","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/blue-marble-panda-male-fighting-fish-betta-splendens","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}