{"product_id":"giant-plakat-male-fighting-fish-betta-splendens","title":"Giant Plakat Male Fighting Fish | Betta splendens","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Giant Plakat is a robust, oversized short-finned Siamese fighting fish — all the flaring colour and bold personality of a betta, on a bigger, more muscular frame. Plakat means short-finned, giving a fast, athletic fish that reaches around 8–10 cm and occasionally close to 12 cm. Each male is an individual and must be kept on his own. Sold as the single hand-picked fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe betta is a domesticated fish, but its wild ancestors come from the slow, shallow, warm waters of central Thailand — rice paddies, ditches, floodplains and sluggish streams in the Chao Phraya and Mekong basins. These oxygen-poor waters are why the species evolved to breathe air.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA big-bodied betta with short, strong fins in the plakat style. Colour varies from fish to fish across reds, blues, coppers and multicolours, deepening and brightening as the fish settles in. Every individual is unique.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMales are territorial and will fight other males to the death, so they are always kept singly. Plakats are quick and assertive. Keep him alone or as the centrepiece of a peaceful community of small, drab, non-nippy fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA carnivore and micropredator. Feed a quality betta pellet as the staple, with frozen or live bloodworm, brine shrimp and daphnia for colour and condition. Avoid overfeeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBettas are labyrinth fish that gulp air from the surface, so the tank needs a covered but accessible surface with a warm air pocket beneath the lid. Provide gently-filtered, heated water, soft planting and hiding spots, and keep surface flow calm. Giants appreciate a little more room and pristine water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA bubble-nest breeder. The male builds a bubble raft, embraces the female beneath it, then tends the eggs and fry alone. Sexes must be separated again promptly after spawning.\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 Plakat \/ Siamese Fighting Fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDomesticated strain; wild ancestor from Thailand (Chao Phraya \u0026amp; Mekong basins)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–10 cm (up to ~12 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–4 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAggressive (males kept singly)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner–Intermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40+ litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore (micropredator)\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\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\u003eWarm, lidded, gently-filtered planted 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\u003eIf kept in a community, choose calm, non-nippy fish such as small rasboras, ember tetras, corydoras, kuhli loaches and snails. A giant plakat is equally content on his own.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther male bettas, fin-nippers (tiger barbs, serpae tetras), boisterous or brightly-coloured fish, and anything large or aggressive. Females only for controlled, supervised breeding.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55351904272675,"sku":null,"price":105.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232798032163,"sku":"BA8824","price":120.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Giant_Plakat_Male_25c26eef-f789-4d18-9b9b-dc66b3c05d52.jpg?v=1781698525","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/giant-plakat-male-fighting-fish-betta-splendens","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}