WYSIWYG Black and Blue Dragon Plakat Male Betta (Betta splendens)

This Black and Blue Dragon Plakat Male Betta (Betta splendens) is built like a little armored knight. Dragon bettas grow thick, opaque metallic scales that sit on the body like plate mail, and on this male that metallic layer is a bright ice blue covering his head and upper body, broken up by solid black patches along his flank, with black fins shot through with fine blue rays. The plakat fin form is short and sturdy, the shape closest to wild bettas, so he swims fast, turns hard, and shrugs off the fin damage that plagues long-finned varieties. Bold, hardy, and beginner friendly. Browse the rest of our live freshwater fish and freshwater supplies to set his tank up right.

Why WYSIWYG Matters on a Dragon Betta

Dragon scale is one of the most variable traits in the hobby. How much of the body the metallic scales cover, how blue versus teal or steel they read, how crisply the black outlines each scale, and how dark the fins stay all change from fish to fish, even within one spawn. A stock photo of a dragon plakat tells you the idea, not the fish. The photo on this page is him, in our tank, as he looks right now. Dragon coverage also tends to thicken as a male ages, so expect him to become more metallic over the coming months, and expect the blue to shift a little under different lighting.

Care Guide

• Tank size: 5 gallons minimum, 10 gallons is better. Plakats are active swimmers and genuinely use the extra room.
• Temperature: 78 to 82°F with a reliable heater such as the Aquatop Pisces 25W. Room temperature is too cold for a tropical fish in most homes.
• Flow: plakats handle a bit more current than long-finned bettas, but they still prefer calm water. A sponge filter or a baffled outlet is ideal.
• Air gap and a lid. Bettas breathe air from the surface through their labyrinth organ, and plakats in particular are strong jumpers. Cover the tank and leave space under the lid.
• Water parameters: pH 6.5 to 7.5, soft to moderately hard. Change about 25% weekly and treat new water with Seachem Prime or Seachem Betta Basics.
• Feeding: carnivore. A betta pellet such as Xtreme Betta Floating Pellets as the staple, with frozen or freeze-dried bloodworms and brine shrimp for variety. Plakats are enthusiastic eaters, so keep portions small.
• Decor: plants, wood, and a cave give him territory to patrol and places to rest. Java Fern and Anubias Nana are tough, low light plants that suit a betta tank well.
• Watch the eyes. In some dragon lines the metallic scaling can gradually grow over the eyes as the fish ages. It does not hurt him, but a betta with limited vision may need food dropped close to him. Keeping the tank simple and the feeding spot consistent helps.
• One male per tank. Non-negotiable. Two males will fight until one is dead.

Specifications

Compatibility

Plakats are quick and confident, which cuts both ways. Their short fins make them a poor target for nippers, but they are also more likely than a slow halfmoon to chase tank mates. In a planted 10 gallon or larger, peaceful bottom dwellers and cleanup crew are the safest company: Pygmy Corys, Skunk Corys, Otocinclus, and nerite snails. Amano Shrimp usually work because they are big and fast.

Avoid fin nippers, avoid colorful long-finned fish such as fancy guppies that he may treat as rivals, and never house him with another betta of either sex outside a supervised breeding setup. Temperament varies by individual, so watch the first week closely and have a backup plan ready.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• Xtreme Betta Floating Pellets or Hikari Betta Bio-Gold as the daily staple
• SFBB Freeze-Dried Bloodworms or SFBB Frozen Brine Shrimp for variety
• Seachem Prime for every water change
• Aquatop Pisces 25W Nano Heater for 5 to 10 gallon betta tanks
• Hikari Dark Rock Cave and ZooMed Betta Mopani Wood for territory and cover
• Fritz Catappa Leaves for gentle tannins

FAQ

Is the photo really this fish?
Yes. That is him in one of our tanks, photographed as he is now. That is what WYSIWYG means. There is one of him, so when he sells the page comes down instead of being restocked with a different betta.

What is a dragon betta?
A betta with thick, opaque metallic scales that cover the body like armor, rather than the thin, translucent iridescence most bettas have. The metallic layer can be white, platinum, gold, or colored, and on this fish it runs ice blue, broken up by black patches.

What is a plakat betta?
Plakat is the short-finned form of Betta splendens, the closest in shape to the wild fish. Plakats are faster, stronger swimmers and far less prone to fin tearing, fin rot, and tail biting than long-finned varieties.

Will his scales cover more of him over time?
Often, yes. Dragon scaling tends to thicken and spread with age. In some lines it can eventually creep over the eyes, which does not cause pain but can make feeding a little clumsy, so feed near him if you notice it.

Does he really need a heater and a filter?
Yes to both. Unheated bowls are why bettas have a reputation for short lives. A cycled 5 gallon with a heater and gentle filtration is the real minimum, and in that setup a betta commonly lives three years or more.

Can he live with another betta?
No. Two males will fight to the death, and males and females should only be put together by experienced breeders under supervision. One male per tank, every time.