{"product_id":"butterfly-halfmoon-fighting-fish-betta-splendens","title":"Butterfly Halfmoon Fighting Fish | Betta splendens","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Butterfly Halfmoon is the living jewel of the aquarium — a male Siamese Fighting Fish whose 180-degree halfmoon tail flares in bands of colour edged in clear \"butterfly\" white. Every one is an individual with real personality. Sold as a single hand-picked adult male; adults reach around 6–7cm including finnage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wild ancestor of Betta splendens comes from the shallow, still and slow-moving waters of Thailand and mainland Southeast Asia — rice paddies, floodplains, ditches and ponds, often warm and low in oxygen. As a labyrinth fish, it gulps air from the surface, which is why a warm room and a covered tank matter so much.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA long-finned show betta with a broad, sweeping halfmoon caudal fin that opens to a full half-circle when flaring. The butterfly pattern shows a band of solid colour on the body and inner fins giving way to a clean pale or white outer edge. Males are far more flamboyant than the shorter-finned females.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMales are solitary and must be kept alone — two males will fight, sometimes to the death, and long fins are also targets for nippers. A single male can be the centrepiece of a peaceful, calm-water community of non-nippy tankmates, or kept alone. Do not house with other bettas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA carnivore. Feed a quality betta pellet as the staple, with regular frozen or live treats such as bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp. Feed small amounts and avoid overfeeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGive a warm (24–28°C), gently filtered, well-planted tank of at least 5 litres — ideally 15–20 litres or more — with a secure lid and a little air gap above the water so it can breathe at the surface. Avoid strong currents, which tire the long fins. Stable warmth and clean water keep the finnage healthy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA bubble-nesting labyrinth fish. The male builds a raft of bubbles at the surface, wraps the female in an embrace beneath it, then tends the eggs and fry himself. Breeding requires a separate tank and careful conditioning, as the pair must be separated after spawning.\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\u003eButterfly Halfmoon Fighting Fish (male)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoutheast Asia (aquarium-bred strain)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 6–7cm (including fins)\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); otherwise peaceful\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\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15–20 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\u003e5–20 dGH\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\u003eNano tanks, planted tanks, peaceful communities (as a single male)\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\u003eWhen kept as a single male: calm, non-nipping fish such as small rasboras, ember tetras, corydoras, kuhli loaches, and peaceful snails or shrimp (with some risk).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther male bettas, fin-nippers such as tiger barbs and serpae tetras, boisterous or aggressive fish, and anything that flares at its long fins.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55351900963107,"sku":"AA1849-S","price":39.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232796066083,"sku":"AA1849","price":44.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/butterfly-halfmoon-fighting-43884045664547-lv.webp?v=1790307188","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/butterfly-halfmoon-fighting-fish-betta-splendens","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}