{"product_id":"delta-male-fighting-fish-betta-splendens","title":"Delta Male Fighting Fish | Betta splendens","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Delta is the classic broad-finned Siamese Fighting Fish, its tail spreading into a smooth triangle that flares like a fan when the fish displays. Every male is an individual with vivid colour and real personality. Reaching around 6–7 cm, this is a single male sold on his own, as he must be — two males will fight. Hand-picked from our stock.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBetta splendens originates from the still and sluggish freshwaters of central Thailand — rice paddies, floodplains, ditches and slow canals that are warm, shallow and often low in oxygen. To cope, the betta evolved a labyrinth organ that lets it gulp air from the surface, so it must always have access to the water's surface and a warm, draught-free room above it. Today's ornamental strains are entirely captive-bred.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Delta male carries a wide, evenly spread tail (a \"super delta\" flares close to 180 degrees) in brilliant reds, blues, coppers and multicolours that deepen with age. Long, flowing anal and dorsal fins complete the display. This listing is for a male, who shows the fullest finnage and boldest colour of the species.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eMales are territorial and must be kept one to a tank — two males, or even a male and his reflection, will flare and fight. A lone male can be kept in a peaceful community of calm, non-nippy fish, but avoid fin-nippers (such as tiger barbs) and other long-finned show fish. He is best appreciated as the centrepiece of his own tank.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA carnivorous micropredator. Feed a good betta pellet as the staple, supplemented with frozen or live bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp. Feed small amounts once or twice a day and avoid overfeeding, as bettas are prone to bloating and fussiness on dry food alone.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eGive at least 5 L as an absolute minimum, though 20 L or more (heated and gently filtered) makes for a far happier, longer-lived fish. Keep the water at 24–28 °C — bettas are tropical and suffer in cold water — with pH 6.0–7.5 and soft to moderate hardness. A tight-fitting lid is essential: bettas breathe air at the surface and can jump. Keep filtration gentle so the long fins are not buffeted.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBettas are bubble-nest breeders. The male builds a raft of bubbles at the surface, embraces the female beneath it and tends the eggs and fry himself. Breeding requires a separate, carefully managed tank and the pair must be watched closely, as the female can be badly harried and must be removed after spawning.\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\u003eDelta Siamese Fighting Fish (Betta)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCentral Thailand (captive-bred strains)\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\u003e3–5 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMales solitary and territorial (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\u003e5 L (absolute minimum)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 L or larger, heated and lidded\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore: betta pellets, frozen and live 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 moderate, 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 tanks and calm community aquariums\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 calm, short-finned fish such as small rasboras, ember tetras, corydoras, kuhli loaches and snails. Many keepers prefer to house a male betta alone.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with other male bettas, fin-nipping fish such as tiger barbs and serpae tetras, other long-finned fish that may be mistaken for a rival, and large or aggressive species. Avoid cold, unheated water.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55351901716771,"sku":null,"price":30.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232796688675,"sku":"AA1553","price":35.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Delta_Male_876b2054-d7c5-4d11-841c-ca3f01aed518.jpg?v=1781698511","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/delta-male-fighting-fish-betta-splendens","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}