{"product_id":"giant-female-fighting-fish-betta-splendens","title":"Giant Female Fighting Fish | Betta splendens","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Giant Female Fighting Fish is a female Betta of the larger \"giant\" strain — the same living-jewel colour and personality of the Siamese Fighting Fish in a bigger, sturdier body. Females are far more tolerant of one another than males and can, with care, be kept in a group (\"sorority\") in a spacious planted tank. A hardy, characterful fish that dazzles for years in warm, gently-filtered, lidded water. Sold as an individual, hand-picked fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBetta splendens comes from the shallow, warm, slow and often oxygen-poor waters of Thailand and neighbouring South-East Asia — rice paddies, ditches, marshes and floodplains. As a labyrinth fish it breathes air from the surface, so a warm surface layer and a snug lid are important.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGiant-strain females are stockier and larger than standard bettas, with shorter fins than males but the full range of vivid colours and patterns. A settled female often shows horizontal stress-free stripes when calm and vertical barring when ready to breed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFemales are much more sociable than males, but they still have individual attitude and a pecking order. A sorority of five or more can work in a large, well-planted tank with sightline breaks, though it must be watched for bullying. A single female is also perfectly content, and mixes well with calm community fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA carnivore. Feed a quality betta pellet as the staple, with frozen or live bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp as regular treats. Feed modest amounts, as bettas are prone to bloating and constipation if overfed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a heated, gently-filtered tank of at least 5 litres for a single female (much larger for a group), with a snug lid and a warm air gap above the water so the labyrinth organ is not chilled. Bettas dislike strong flow. Keep the water warm, clean and stable with regular partial changes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA bubble-nest builder. A conditioned male builds a surface raft of bubbles and entices the female beneath it, wrapping around her to fertilise the eggs, which he then tends alone. The female must be removed after spawning, as the male guards the nest and can become aggressive toward her.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\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\u003eGiant Female Betta (Siamese Fighting Fish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSouth-East Asia (Thailand and neighbouring countries)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6–7 cm (giant strain may reach ~8 cm)\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 have a pecking order\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 (single female; larger for a group)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20+ litres (much larger for a sorority)\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\u003e6.0–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–15 dGH (soft to medium)\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\u003eWarm, planted community and betta sorority aquariums\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\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eCalm, non-nippy community fish such as small rasboras, corydoras, kuhli loaches, ricefish and snails; other females in a well-planted, spacious sorority with careful monitoring.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMale bettas, fin-nippers such as tiger barbs, and boisterous, brightly coloured or much larger fish that provoke stress or aggression.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55351901749539,"sku":null,"price":85.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232796721443,"sku":"AA1556","price":95.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/giant-female-fighting-fish-betta-splendens","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}