Bettas are known for their unique flowing tail, but what if they had two such tails? Double the tail, double the beauty. There are many variations of tails seen in the Betta fishes, and one that stands out the most is Double Tail Betta. These fish stand apart from the rest of the Betta family because of their very unique tail.
Double Tail Betta, also known as Twin Tail Betta, is a variant of Betta splendens species known for their very unique double tail. They belong to the Belontiidae family of the Betta splendens species. They grow up to a maximum size of two and a half inches.
They live for two to three years. However, it is very common to see these fish living up to 4 or even five years under the right conditions. Double Tail Bettas are a type of Siamese fighting fish and have been selectively bred over many years to provide a wide range of colors and a spectacular finnage. However, the process of selective breeding has affected the immunity of this fish, making it less healthy and susceptible to diseases.
The Double Tail Betta is a very cheap breed of fish and can be taken care of by beginner fish keepers and would make a fantastic addition to one’s aquarium.
Overview of Double Tail Betta
| Scientific name | Betta splendens |
| Common names | Double Tail Betta or Twin Tail Betta |
| Ancestry | Osphronemidae |
| Native Place | Farm-raised in Thailand |
| Color | Mixed colors, Red and Blue |
| Aquarium size | 6 gallons or bigger |
| Preferred temperature | 23.8 to 30ºC (75-86°F degrees Fahrenheit) |
| pH level | 6 to 8 |
| Life Span | 2 to 3 Years |
| Fish Size | 2.5 inches |
| Temperament | Peaceful when alone | Aggressive, fearful when with others |
| Diet | Pellets, live food, insects, shrimp, flakes |
| Recommended tank mates | Black Tetras, Croaking Gourami, Rasboras, Poecilia, and Bloodfin Tetras. |
| Preferred food | Carnivores diet Frozen bloodworms or brine shrimp and quality flake foods and pellets |
| Feeding period | They should be fed 12 hours apart, twice a day. Make sure not to overfeed them. |
The Name Double Tail Betta
The origin of the name of this fish is self-explanatory. The name is derived from its very unique appearance. The Double Tail Bettas have a unique striking tail, making them stand out from other fish in this family. The Double Tail Bettas have a split tail which means there are two distinct tails that are separated at the base.
This unique tail differentiation makes it look like this breed has two tails and hence the name Double Tail Betta or Twin Tail Betta was given to them.
The Appearance of Double Tail Betta
Double Tail Bettas are known for their very unique appearance. They grow to a length of 2.5 inches, excluding the tail. They have large fins and a flowing tail which makes them stand out in an aquarium. Their unique appearance has been the result of selective breeding for years.
They have long and wide dorsal, tail, and anal fins. The tail fin looks like two separate fins, which resulted in the name given to this particular breed. They also have shorter bodies. They are a very flashy and uncommon breed of fish. One might even say these fishes are rare. They come in a wide variety of colors and patterns due to the selective breed.
They come in a wide variety of colors, most often in mixed colors. Red and Blue are the commonly seen colors in this breed. Females can often be as colorful as males but very rarely do they have the long finnage commonly seen in males.
Price of Double Tail Betta
Even though these fish are uncommon, the cost of this breed is pretty cheap. They get sold between the range of $8 and $10.
Best Tank Conditions
The aquarium conditions of a Double Tail Betta are the same as that of the other breeds of Betta splendens species. One of the main things to be kept in mind is that there should be no sudden fluctuations in the water condition.
As these fishes are considered to be aggressive, it is best to let them live alone. They should never be housed with other male betta fishes, and the female and male should only be kept together for breeding purposes, that too only for a brief period of time. Some fishes can be put in the same tank as the Double Tail Betta, such as Catfish, Bloodfin Tetras, Poecilia, and Rasboras.
The tank should be five gallons or bigger if the fish is housed alone. However, if it is, a community tank should be at least 10 gallons in size to ensure enough swimming space for the fish and ensure they do not fight with other fish.
The water temperature needs to be between 23.8 to 30ºC, and the pH needs to be between 6 to 8, and this condition needs to stay stable all the time. A heater can be placed to make sure the temperature does not fluctuate often.
The tank should have a filtration system to make sure it stays clean, but one needs to keep in mind that the water’s outflow is regulated to make sure there is minimal current. Bettas do not like heavy water movement and would find it hard to survive in such conditions. Sponge filters can also be used to makes sure the water current is minimized.
The fishes get tired when they swim for a long time as their heavy tails weigh them down, so one needs to ensure a proper resting place for the fish. Bettas also prefer to have hiding places in the tank to use when they feel threatened. Decorations need to be kept in the tank to make them feel more at home and have an easier transition.
Food & Feeding
The feeding of Double tail Bettas is similar to that of other Bettas. They should not be overfed and needs to maintain a balanced diet as overfeeding them could adversely affect their health. One would even recommend fasting the fish for 24 hours every 10 to 12 days. Fasting helps the fish to avoid constipation.
They should be fed twice a day with 12 hours gap between two meals. In addition, they should be fed only in small quantities, which the Beta can eat in a few minutes.
They are carnivores and prefer frozen or freeze-dried food such as bloodworms and brine shrimp. However, they can also be fed flakes and pellets and other bettas-specific food to make sure they get the right nutrients it needs.
Behavior and Character
As we know Bettas are lone warrior and they don’t like company of most of the species. So same with the case of Double Tail Betta. Bettas behavior is very unpredictable many times it’s seen that they are attacking the friendly tank mates as well.
The Siamese fighting fish likes to live solitary and in their own territory. Make sure you are keeping them in a suitably big tank where they don’t need to compete for meals, room, and settlement.
At any occasion don’t put two betta male fish at the same tank. They will strike at each other and many times severe injury can be seen and may lead to demise.
Diseases
As these fishes are a result of selective breeding, they also have very weak immunity. They fall prey to various diseases very easily, so one needs to ensure they live in a comfortable environment. If they get stressed, that could make their immunity even weaker. The tank conditions should also be favorable as that could also affect the health of the fish.
Some of the most common diseases which affect the fish are fin rot and other diseases which affect the fins as they most often have issues with their swim bladders. These are gorgeous fish; however, they have a shorter lifespan when compared to the other Betta variants.
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Double Tail Betta Vs. Halfmoon Betta
Double Tail Betta are known for their unique two-tails. The tail fin of twin tails is split into two at the base, which gives it the appearance of having two tails.
Halfmoon Betta also has a unique appearance. They have a magnificent caudal tail that resembles the shape of a half-moon. The tails of this breed spread at a 180-degree angle and resemble the shape of a capital ‘D’ or a half-circle or half-moon.
Commonly Asked Questions
Are Double Tail Bettas aggressive?
Like other fish in this family, Double Tail Bettas are aggressive, maybe even slightly more aggressive than the other breeds.
How big do Double Tail Bettas get?
The Double Tail Bettas grow to an average length of 2.5 inches. However, under the right conditions, they could grow up to 3 inches, excluding the tail.
How long do Double Tail Betta fish live?
Double Tail Bettas generally have a shorter life span. They live for about 3 years, but their lifespan is very much affected by the environment it is placed in.
Are Bettas smart?
Bettas are generally knowledgeable fish. They are closely related to the cichlid species in the evolutionary chain, which are knowledgeable fish. This intelligence is often exhibited when they take care of their young.
Conclusion
If one considers owning a less expensive but equally beautiful and easy-to-care-for Betta, then a Double Tail Betta should be one of the best picks available in the wide range of Betta fishes.
Their unique tail, which makes them look like they have two tails, would make this a must-own fish for all Betta enthusiasts and make an amazing addition to one’s aquarium.
Everything one needs to know about the Double Tail Betta, their breed, and how to take care of them has been discussed in this article. I hope it was useful!
