{"product_id":"candy-plakat-female-fighter-betta-splendens","title":"Candy Plakat Female Fighter | Betta splendens","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Candy Plakat Female is a short-finned Siamese Fighter in a sweet swirl of mixed colours. Plakats are the original \"fighting\" form — compact, active and hardy — and females are a little more sociable than the solitary males. Sold as a single hand-picked adult female; adults reach around 5–6cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wild ancestor of Betta splendens lives in 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 breathes air from the surface, so a warm room and a covered tank matter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA plakat (short-finned) betta with a neat, streamlined body and short fins, showing a marbled \"candy\" mix of reds, blues, pinks and pastels. Females are stockier and shorter-finned than males and often show a pale ovipositor spot when mature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFemales are more tolerant than males but still feisty. A single female can join a calm community of non-nippy fish, or several females may be kept together as a \"sorority\" only in a larger, well-planted tank with plenty of cover and careful monitoring. Do not keep with a male long-term outside of controlled breeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA carnivore. Feed a quality betta pellet as the staple, with frozen or live foods 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\u003eProvide a warm (24–28°C), gently filtered, planted tank of at least 5 litres — more for a sorority — with a secure lid and a small air gap above the water. Avoid strong currents. Stable warmth and clean water keep her healthy and colourful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA bubble-nesting labyrinth fish. The male builds a surface bubble nest and embraces the female beneath it; she is then removed while he tends the eggs and fry. Controlled conditioning and a separate breeding tank are needed, as the pair will fight if left together.\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\u003eCandy Plakat Fighting Fish (female)\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 5–6cm\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\u003eFemales more tolerant; still territorial\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 (more for a sorority)\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, sororities (with care)\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\u003eCalm, 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\u003eMale bettas (outside controlled breeding), fin-nippers such as tiger barbs and serpae tetras, and boisterous or aggressive fish.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55351900602659,"sku":null,"price":50.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232795607331,"sku":"AA3183","price":60.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Candy_Plakat_Female_af43d901-edea-42c6-aa5f-09513f6db9c5.jpg?v=1781698505","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/candy-plakat-female-fighter-betta-splendens","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}