{"product_id":"koi-plakat-male-fighting-fish-betta-splendens","title":"Koi Plakat Male Fighting Fish | Betta splendens","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Koi Plakat is the short-finned betta prized in Thailand for its athletic build and vivid koi marbling of red, black, orange and white. This is a male fighting fish — every bit as colourful as the long-finned forms but with tidy, sturdy fins that resist tearing, all in a compact 6–7 cm package. As a labyrinth fish he breathes air from the surface, so he is hardy but needs a warm, calm, covered tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eWild Betta splendens inhabit the still, shallow, warm waters of central Thailand — rice paddies, ditches and slow floodplain canals in the Chao Phraya basin. These oxygen-poor waters drove the evolution of air-breathing, and ornamental plakats like this one are entirely captive-bred.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlakat means \"fighting fish\" in Thai, and the form keeps the short, natural fins of the wild betta on a muscular body. The koi pattern is a marbled mix that is unique to each fish and can shift with age. Males are more intensely coloured and slightly larger-finned than females.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMales are solitary and territorial — keep only one male per tank and never with females except to breed. Plakats are lively and can be feisty, but their shorter fins make them a little more robust in a calm community of peaceful, non-nippy fish.\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. Offer small portions to prevent bloating and keep water quality high.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHouse him in a heated, gently filtered tank of at least 20 litres with soft plants, a surface resting spot and gentle flow. Keep the water warm and stable with regular partial changes, and always cover the tank — bettas jump and depend 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, wraps around the female to fertilise the eggs, then guards the nest and fry himself. Breeding requires a dedicated setup, conditioning and removal of the female 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 Plakat, 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":55351901585699,"sku":null,"price":44.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232796557603,"sku":"AA1554","price":54.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Koi_Plakat_Male_bfb0fbdf-2f79-4ef6-bb50-8db2c1fdbd0f.jpg?v=1781698531","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/koi-plakat-male-fighting-fish-betta-splendens","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}