{"product_id":"koi-halfmoon-fighting-fish-betta-splendens","title":"Koi Halfmoon Fighting Fish | Betta splendens","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Koi Halfmoon is the classic show betta — a marbled koi patchwork of red, orange, black and white spread across a tail that opens to a full 180-degree half-circle. This is a male fighting fish, a genuine living centrepiece at only 6–7 cm. As a labyrinth fish he breathes air from the surface, so he is hardy but wants a warm, calm tank with a secure lid.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eWild Betta splendens live in the still, shallow, warm waters of central Thailand — rice paddies, ditches and slow floodplain canals in the Chao Phraya basin. Those oxygen-poor waters are why bettas evolved to gulp air, and ornamental koi halfmoons like this are entirely captive-bred.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe halfmoon tail forms a crisp semicircle when flared, backed by broad dorsal and anal fins. The koi marbling is unique to each fish and can shift as he matures, so his pattern may keep changing. Males carry far longer, showier fins and richer colour than females.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMales are solitary and territorial — one male per tank, and no mixing males with females outside of breeding. He makes a calm, striking feature fish among peaceful, non-nippy tankmates, but those long fins are a target for fin-nippers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA carnivore and insectivore. Use a quality betta pellet as a staple and supplement with frozen or live bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp. Feed sparingly to avoid 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 calm flow, as heavy fins tire in strong currents. Keep the water warm and stable with regular partial changes, and always keep the tank covered — bettas jump and need to breathe the warm, humid layer of air at the surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBettas are bubble-nest builders. The male constructs a surface nest, embraces the female beneath it, then guards the eggs and fry alone. Breeding needs a dedicated tank, careful 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 Halfmoon, 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. A single male halfmoon is best kept as the only showy fish 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 long-finned or brightly coloured fish, and boisterous or aggressive species.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55351900668195,"sku":"AA3187-S","price":50.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232795705635,"sku":"AA3187","price":60.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/koi-halfmoon-fighting-fish-betta-splendens","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}