With betta fish becoming increasingly in demand as pets these days, breeders constantly look for a new variety of betta that they can create. Among the diversity of betta species, there exists butterfly betta. It belongs to the betta splenden family and is known as Halfmoon betta due to its tail.
Owing to its distinctive morphology, the butterfly betta attracts the attention of pet enthusiasts. It is formed in the figure of a butterfly, as described by its title. It’s recognized for its vibrant coloring, which includes primary hues like red, yellow, blue, and brilliant tints of magenta, emerald, and violet. They are mainly one hue, with varying tints of the same color extending to their tail and fins. Thailand, Malaysia, and Cambodia are now home to a large number of them. In this post, we will learn more about butterfly betta.
Butterfly Betta: About
This particular betta fish is well known for its magnificent fins and tails. Usually, they are just available in a single color with a unique shade of the same color in the fins. However, with time, breeders have made successful the breeding of a butterfly betta with multiple colors.
A male butterfly betta can grow up to 3 inches and have the edge when it concerns their pigmentation. That is, the male butterfly betta is gifted with more vibrancy when it comes to colors. At the same time, female betta will be comparatively dull. They can grow up to 2.5 inches. Hence they are always slightly shorter than male bettas. Female betta also has shorter fins and tails.
Butterfly betta can change their colors with their emotions. When they are preparing for a fight or about to mate, they flare up their colors. They also tend to lose their gaudiness when they are stressed or anxious. Butterflyfish typically get stressed about the tank parameters if it is not optimal.
They are extremely territorial. This implies they do not like any other fish into their territory, and that is why it might attach other tank mates if kept in the same tank. To avoid any accident, it is best to keep butterfly betta in a solitary tank.
Butterfly Betta: A Care Guide
You must carefully tend to and give the right environment for your Butterfly Betta if you would like it to live a long and thriving lifespan. This necessitates the use of a tidy and appropriate tank. The tank’s condition significantly impacts how and how long your betta lives. Your objective must be to replicate a butterfly betta’s natural habitat closely.
Tank Requisites
It mainly dwells in paddy freshwater, which is shallow, warm, and has a good amount of flora. Therefore, you must have a tank size which is a minimum of 5 gallons and which is shallow but long. This is essential not only because they dwell in shallow waters but also because they are surface breathers. They have a special set of organs, labyrinth organs that help them breathe oxygen.
Do not use a fishbowl for a betta. To wander throughout and swim, they need a lot of room. According to how many Bettas you have, you can store them in an aquarium that is 5 to 10 gallons in length. Their lengthy fins and tails will be damaged if they are kept in a tight area.
You must also replicate the tank to their natural habitat as closely as possible introduce enough shrubs, live plants, logs, floating rings, objects, and mirrors for your betta to play with or hide behind. Make sure these objects do not have sharp edges. Using a sand or gravel substrate will be perfect.
Water Requirements
While purchasing a tank, we recommend you buy a heater and a filter. A betta needs a warm temperature to live in, between 70-82 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it might be challenging to maintain the temperature, hence installing a heater in the tank to keep the fluctuation in water temperature in check.
Proper filtration will rule out the possibility of excess nitrate content in the tank. With excess nitrate and ammonia overloading the tank or not cleaning the fish waste properly, your fish might die of toxicity. Hence proper cleaning and filter are vital. For a butterfly betta, a sponge filter is enough.
The sponge filter’s gentle and slow current helps a butterfly betta swim properly without losing its balance due to the heavy current of other filters. Maintain a pH of 6.5 to 7. Tap or RO water will be enough to maintain such pH. Also, install proper lighting. Try keeping the tank a little dark. They like it.
A betta should not be kept under direct sunlight. It will modify the tank water temperature. Along with that, it will give birth to algae and cloudy water. Hence, moderation is the key when it comes to lighting. Ensure that your betta gets enough rest. For that, switch the lights off for 10 hours a day.
Dietary Needs
They feed on flies and bug larvae; consequently, you should strive to replicate this diet. The Butterfly Betta is a predatory type of fish. Succulent meals like raw bloodworms, shrimps, and insect larvae are favorites of the Butterfly Betta. The ideal option is live food, although it will also consume refrigerated meat items.
You can offer your betta a mixture of pellets and flakes from your local pet store. You can also include a few dried worms or live worms. Daphnia, brine shrimp, and glass worms are all high in nutrients. But in the quest of providing them a good diet, do not overfeed them. It can be detrimental for them.
FAQs on Butterfly Betta
How long do butterfly bettas live?
They have a lifespan of 2 to 4 years in confinement if all the required needs of butterfly fish are taken care of.
Are butterfly bettas aggressive?
Yes, they are aggressive. They might attack any other tank mate in their tank to death. Hence, avoid keeping them in community tanks.
How much does a butterfly betta cost?
They cost anything between the range of $12-$15. However, this rate may vary from region to region.
Are butterfly bettas common?
Yes, they are. Breeders have been breeding bettas for so long that butterfly bettas are not available readily online or at the local pet stores.
Can yoyo loaches live with a betta?
Yes, many pet owners have successfully made yoyo loaches a good tank mate for a betta. They grow up to 5 inches long, and that is why bettas do not mess with them, and loaches generally stay at the bottom. Make sure to have a large enough tank.
Which is the rarest betta butterfly color?
Abino betta color is the most rarest. These bettas have pink or red eyes, and tails and fins naturally lack any pigmentation.
Final Thoughts:
Butterfly bettas are beautiful, colorful, and vibrant pets that one could get. If all the tank parameters are met, your betta can be active and lively throughout the 2 to 4 years of its lifespan. Keep the tank clean, use proper filtration, replace the water once a week, around 25 percent, and feed them properly. This will ascertain a long and healthy life for your betta.
