{"product_id":"koi-dumbo-betta-male-betta-splendens","title":"Koi Dumbo Betta Male | Betta splendens","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Koi Dumbo betta is instantly recognisable for its oversized \"elephant ear\" pectoral fins, which fan out like wings as it drifts through the water. This male carries a marbled koi pattern of red, black, orange and white on a body of just 6–7 cm, with those signature broad pectorals stealing the show. As a labyrinth fish he breathes air from the surface, so he is hardy but wants a warm, calm, covered tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eWild Betta splendens come from the still, shallow, warm waters of central Thailand — rice paddies, ditches and slow floodplain canals in the Chao Phraya basin. These oxygen-poor waters are why bettas evolved to breathe air, and ornamental dumbo koi strains like this one are entirely captive-bred.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe \"dumbo\" or elephant-ear trait gives greatly enlarged pectoral fins, often in a contrasting colour to the body. Combined with the koi marbling — unique to each fish and prone to shifting with age — this makes for a genuinely eye-catching male. Males are larger-finned and more vivid than females.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMales are solitary and territorial — one male per tank, never with females except for breeding. He suits a calm community of peaceful, non-nippy species, but those large fins are an easy target for fin-nippers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA carnivore and insectivore. Feed a quality betta pellet as a staple plus frozen or live bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp. Small portions prevent bloating and keep the water clean.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a heated, gently filtered tank of at least 20 litres with soft plants, a surface resting spot and gentle flow, as the large pectorals tire in strong currents. Keep the water warm and stable with regular partial changes, and always cover the tank — bettas jump and rely on breathing the warm, humid air at the surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBettas are bubble-nest builders. The male builds a surface nest, embraces the female to fertilise the eggs, then guards the nest and fry himself. Breeding needs a dedicated tank, conditioning and the female removed 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\u003eSiamese Fighting Fish (Koi Dumbo\/Elephant-Ear, male)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCentral Thailand (Chao Phraya basin); captive-bred ornamental strain\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 and aggressive; 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\u003e20 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20+ litres (one male only)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore\/insectivore (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\u003e5–20 dGH (soft to moderately 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, planted nano and calm community tanks (one male only)\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\u003ePeaceful, non-nippy companions such as Corydoras, kuhli loaches, Otocinclus, ember tetras, harlequin rasboras and snails. Keep a single male as the only betta in the tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther male bettas, fin-nippers such as tiger barbs and some tetras, other brightly coloured or long-finned fish, and boisterous or aggressive species.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55351902372131,"sku":"BA8925-S","price":50.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232797507875,"sku":"BA8925","price":60.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/koi-dumbo-betta-male-betta-splendens","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}