{"product_id":"halfmoon-fighting-fish-betta-splendens","title":"Halfmoon Fighting Fish | Betta splendens","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Halfmoon is the most flamboyant of the Siamese Fighting Fish — a male whose enormous tail opens to a full 180-degree \"half moon\" when he flares. Every fish is an individual with real personality and colour no other fish can match. Reaching around 6–7 cm, a betta needs a warm, gently filtered, lidded tank of its own to dazzle for years. Sold as an individual, hand-picked adult.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBetta splendens originates from the shallow, warm, still and slow-moving waters of Thailand and the wider Mekong basin — rice paddies, floodplains and roadside ditches. These waters are often low in oxygen, which is why the betta evolved a labyrinth organ to breathe air from the surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Halfmoon shows the classic betta body with a spectacular, broad tail that spreads to a semicircle, plus flowing dorsal and anal fins. Colours span every shade from solid reds and blues to butterflies, marbles and metallics. Wild females and many domestic females are far shorter-finned than the males.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMales are territorial and will fight other males to the death, so they must always be kept alone — never two males together, and not with other flashy, long-finned fish that trigger aggression. A single male can sometimes be kept with very peaceful, non-nippy tankmates in a larger tank, but many bettas prefer to live solo.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA carnivore. Feed a good-quality betta pellet as a staple, supplemented with frozen and live foods such as bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp. Feed small amounts and avoid overfeeding, as bettas are prone to bloat.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGive a betta a heated, gently filtered, planted tank of at least 5 litres — ideally 20 litres or more — kept at a warm 24–28 °C. As a labyrinth breather it must be able to reach the surface for air, and a secure lid with a small air gap above the water is essential, as bettas can jump. Avoid strong flow, which tires the long fins.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA bubble-nesting labyrinth fish. The male builds a raft of bubbles at the surface, entices the female beneath it, and wraps around her to fertilise the eggs, which he then tends alone. Sexes must be separated afterwards, as the male drives the female off once spawning is done.\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\u003eHalfmoon Siamese Fighting Fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThailand and the Mekong basin, South-East Asia (captive-bred)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6–7 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\u003eMales solitary (will fight); females more tolerant\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 (heated, lidded)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20+ litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore (betta pellets, frozen and live foods)\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\u003e3–15 dGH (soft to medium-hard)\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\u003eHeated, lidded betta tanks and gentle nano communities\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\u003eBest alone. If housed in a larger community, choose calm, non-nippy species such as small rasboras, Corydoras, Otocinclus, Kuhli loaches and snails. Shrimp may be eaten by some individuals.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther male bettas (never), fin-nippers such as tiger barbs, and other bright, long-finned fish like guppies that provoke flaring and aggression.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55351901028643,"sku":"AA1850-S","price":34.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232796131619,"sku":"AA1850","price":39.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/halfmoon-fighting-fish-10266482442531-sp.webp?v=1790313954","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/halfmoon-fighting-fish-betta-splendens","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}