{"product_id":"king-koi-betta-fighting-fish-male-betta-splendens","title":"King Koi Betta Fighting Fish Male | Betta splendens","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe King Koi Betta is a living jewel — a Siamese Fighting Fish splashed with the bold red, black, orange and white marbling of a koi carp, every fish an absolute one-off. Males flare with colours and finnage no other fish can match, and each has real personality. Sold as the individual male shown, hand-picked from our stock. A small, warm, gently-filtered and lidded tank will keep him dazzling for years.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBetta splendens originates in the shallow, warm, still and slow-moving waters of Thailand and the wider Mekong basin — rice paddies, ditches and floodplains. These oxygen-poor waters are why the betta evolved a labyrinth organ, letting it gulp air from the surface. Wild bettas are far plainer than the spectacular aquarium strains like this one.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis koi-patterned male carries the classic marbled palette of red, orange, black, white and metallic tones, with the pattern shifting subtly over his life as marble genes express. Males are far larger-finned and more vividly coloured than females, and reach about 6–7 cm. As a labyrinth fish he will often be seen taking gulps of air at the surface — completely normal.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMales are solitary and will fight other males and any long-finned lookalike to the death — never keep two males together, and never with fish that resemble a rival. A lone male can be kept alone as a centrepiece, or with very peaceful, short-finned tank mates in a larger, calm aquarium. He may also flare at his own reflection, which is harmless in moderation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA carnivore with a small appetite. Feed a good-quality betta pellet as the staple, plus frozen and live treats such as bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp. Feed small amounts and avoid overfeeding, which fouls the water and causes bloating.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGive him a heated, gently-filtered, well-planted tank of at least 5 litres (bigger is better and more stable), kept warm and calm — bettas dislike strong current. A snug lid is essential, as they can jump and need a warm, humid layer of air above the water for the labyrinth organ. Soft to neutral, warm water and regular small water changes keep him healthy.\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, wraps her in an embrace and tends the eggs and fry in the nest himself. Pairs must be introduced carefully and separated after spawning, as the male turns aggressively protective of his nest.\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\u003eKing Koi Betta (Siamese Fighting Fish), male\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThailand \/ Mekong basin, Southeast Asia\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\u003eSolitary (males will fight other males)\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 \u0026amp; 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 pellet, 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\u003e2–15 dGH (soft to neutral)\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 nano and calm community tanks\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 (appreciates dense planting)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn a larger calm tank: peaceful, short-finned fish such as small rasboras, ember tetras, corydoras, kuhli loaches and snails. Best judged individually, as some males won't tolerate any company.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther male bettas (never), long-finned or brightly coloured fish that look like rivals (guppies, similar), fin-nippers such as tiger barbs, and boisterous or aggressive species.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55351900635427,"sku":"AA3170-S","price":105.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232795672867,"sku":"AA3170","price":120.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/king-koi-betta-fighting-fish-male-betta-splendens","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}