{"product_id":"red-plakat-male-fighting-fish-betta-splendens","title":"Red Plakat Male Fighting Fish | Betta splendens","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe living jewel of the aquarium, the Siamese Fighting Fish flares in colours and finnage no other fish can match, and every one is an individual with real personality. This is the Plakat form — a short-finned, robust male with the classic power and colour of a fighter but without the long, flowing tail. Sold as the individual fish, hand-picked from our stock.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBetta splendens originates from the still and slow-moving shallow waters of Thailand and mainland South-East Asia — rice paddies, ditches and floodplains that are warm, soft and often low in oxygen. To cope, the betta breathes air at the surface using a labyrinth organ, so it must always have access to the surface and a warm, calm environment.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Plakat male is a compact, muscular betta with short, neat fins that show off intense colour and an active, bold posture. Reds, blues and multicolours are common, and each fish is unique. Males are more vivid and better finned than females, and colour intensifies when the fish displays and flares.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eMales are solitary and territorial — they will fight other males and must be kept one to a tank. A betta can be kept alone as a centrepiece or, in a larger, calm community, with peaceful non-nippy tankmates, though its flowing rivals and lookalikes must be avoided. Females are more tolerant of one another in a suitable setup.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA carnivore. Offer a quality betta pellet as a staple and supplement with frozen and live foods such as bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp. Feed small amounts and avoid overfeeding, as bettas are prone to bloating and can be fussy about dried food.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 5 L, with 10–20 L or larger much better and far more stable. Keep temperature warm at 24–28 °C, pH 6.0–7.5 and GH soft to medium, around 5–20. A heater, gentle filtration and a secure lid are important — bettas need warmth, calm water and access to the surface to breathe air, and they can jump. It is plant safe and appreciates soft planting and resting spots.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBettas are bubble-nest builders: the male constructs a raft of bubbles at the surface, entices the female beneath it, then tends the eggs and fry alone. Breeding is rewarding but involved, requiring careful conditioning, close supervision and the separation of the pair after spawning.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBetta splendens\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRed Plakat Siamese Fighting Fish (male)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThailand and mainland South-East Asia (captive-bred)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6–7 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–4 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMales solitary (will fight); females more tolerant\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–20 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore: betta pellets, frozen and live bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft to medium, around 5–20 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHeated, lidded nano and calm community aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eIf kept in a community, suitable tank mates include small peaceful rasboras, corydoras, kuhli loaches, ember tetras and snails — always in a roomy, calm tank. A betta is also perfectly happy alone.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with other male bettas, fin-nippers such as some barbs and serpae tetras, boisterous or large fish, and brightly-coloured long-finned lookalikes such as guppies that may trigger aggression.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55351903977763,"sku":"AA3570-S","price":31.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232797704483,"sku":"AA3570","price":36.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/red-plakat-male-fighting-fis-43884839141667.webp?v=1790306097","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/red-plakat-male-fighting-fish-betta-splendens","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}