{"product_id":"red-white-dragon-male-fighting-fish-betta-splendens","title":"Red \u0026 White Dragon Male Fighting Fish | Betta splendens","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dazzling red-and-white 'Dragon' male Siamese Fighting Fish — the living jewel of the aquarium, with flowing finnage and the thick, metallic-white 'Dragon' scaling laid over a rich red body. Every betta is an individual with real personality. Sold as a single hand-picked male, reaching around 6–7cm. Males must be kept alone, as they will fight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBetta splendens originates from Thailand and neighbouring Southeast Asia, where wild fish live in shallow, warm, still and often oxygen-poor waters — rice paddies, ditches and floodplains. To survive there they evolved a labyrinth organ that lets them breathe air from the surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Dragon male carries a deep red body armoured in crisp, opaque white scaling, with the long, showy fins that make males so prized. Colour and finnage reach their peak when the fish flares in display. Each fish is unique in its exact pattern.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBe clear: males are solitary and highly territorial — two males will fight, often to serious injury, and a male will also harass females outside of breeding. A single male is best kept alone or as the centrepiece of a calm community of non-nippy, non-flashy fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA carnivore built for meaty foods. Feed a quality betta pellet as the staple, plus frozen and live foods such as bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp. Feed small amounts and avoid overfeeding, as bettas are prone to bloating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide a heated, gently filtered, well-planted tank of at least 5 litres (bigger is better) with a secure lid — bettas breathe from the surface and are prone to jumping, and a covered tank also keeps the surface air warm and humid to protect the labyrinth organ. Warm, stable, clean water and gentle flow keep those long fins in top condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe male builds a floating bubble nest and entices a conditioned female beneath it; after a wrapping embrace he tends the eggs and fry alone. The female must be removed after spawning, as the male guards the nest fiercely. Breeding bettas is rewarding but labour-intensive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\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 (Dragon, male)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThailand and Southeast Asia (ornamental strain)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 6–7cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–5 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSolitary; males will fight\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\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 litres or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore\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\u003e6.5–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–15 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\u003eBeginners; heated, lidded planted 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\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKept singly, a male can share a calm community with non-nippy, non-flashy fish such as small rasboras, corydoras, kuhli loaches, ember tetras and snails. Always provide cover and escape routes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther male bettas (never house two males together), female bettas outside breeding, fin-nippers such as tiger barbs, and boisterous, brightly coloured or long-finned fish that provoke aggression.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55351901815075,"sku":"AA1550-S","price":40.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232796786979,"sku":"AA1550","price":45.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/red-white-dragon-male-fighti-43884305645859.webp?v=1790306098","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/red-white-dragon-male-fighting-fish-betta-splendens","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}