{"product_id":"black-and-blue-dragon-plakat-male-betta-splendens-freshwater","title":"WYSIWYG Black and Blue Dragon Plakat Male Betta (Betta splendens)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#1E88E5;color:#ffffff;padding:11px 14px;margin:0 0 10px;font-size:0.95em;border-radius:3px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWYSIWYG, What You See Is What You Get.\u003c\/strong\u003e The photo on this listing is this exact fish, not a stock image. There is only one of him, and once he sells the listing comes down.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis \u003cstrong\u003eBlack and Blue Dragon Plakat Male Betta\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eBetta splendens\u003c\/em\u003e) 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 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\"\u003elive freshwater fish\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater supplies\u003c\/a\u003e to set his tank up right.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eWhy WYSIWYG Matters on a Dragon Betta\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDragon 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5 gallons minimum, 10 gallons is better. Plakats are active swimmers and genuinely use the extra room.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 78 to 82°F with a reliable heater such as the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/aquatop-pisces-25w-nano-aquarium-heater\"\u003eAquatop Pisces 25W\u003c\/a\u003e. Room temperature is too cold for a tropical fish in most homes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlow:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAir gap and a lid.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e pH 6.5 to 7.5, soft to moderately hard. Change about 25% weekly and treat new water with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-prime-complete-concentrated-water-conditioner\"\u003eSeachem Prime\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-betta-basics\"\u003eSeachem Betta Basics\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e carnivore. A betta pellet such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-betta-floating-pellets\"\u003eXtreme Betta Floating Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e as the staple, with frozen or freeze-dried bloodworms and brine shrimp for variety. Plakats are enthusiastic eaters, so keep portions small.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDecor:\u003c\/strong\u003e plants, wood, and a cave give him territory to patrol and places to rest. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/java-fern-on-lava-rock-microsorum-pteropus-freshwater\"\u003eJava Fern\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/anubias-nana-anubias-barteri-nana-potted-freshwater-plant\"\u003eAnubias Nana\u003c\/a\u003e are tough, low light plants that suit a betta tank well.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatch the eyes.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOne male per tank.\u003c\/strong\u003e Non-negotiable. Two males will fight until one is dead.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eBetta splendens\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis listing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eWYSIWYG, one specific male, quantity of one\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVariety\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBlack and Blue Dragon, ice blue metallic scales with black patches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFin type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePlakat, short finned\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSex\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eMale\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSemi-aggressive, one male per tank\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 2.5 to 3 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e5 gallons, 10 preferred\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e78 to 82°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e6.5 to 7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCarnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e3 to 5 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCaptive bred, typically on Thai betta farms\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlakats 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: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/pygmy-cory-corydoras-pygmaeus-freshwater\"\u003ePygmy Corys\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/skunk-cory-corydoras-arcuatus-freshwater\"\u003eSkunk Corys\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/otocinclus-catfish-otocinclus-vittatus-freshwater-algae-eater\"\u003eOtocinclus\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/racetrack-nerite-snail-vittina-sp-freshwater\"\u003enerite snails\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/amano-shrimp-caridina-multidentata-freshwater\"\u003eAmano Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e usually work because they are big and fast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-betta-floating-pellets\"\u003eXtreme Betta Floating Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-betta-bio-gold\"\u003eHikari Betta Bio-Gold\u003c\/a\u003e as the daily staple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-betta-food-1g-vial-bloodworms\"\u003eSFBB Freeze-Dried Bloodworms\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-brine-shrimp-cube-3-5oz\"\u003eSFBB Frozen Brine Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e for variety\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-prime-complete-concentrated-water-conditioner\"\u003eSeachem Prime\u003c\/a\u003e for every water change\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/aquatop-pisces-25w-nano-aquarium-heater\"\u003eAquatop Pisces 25W Nano Heater\u003c\/a\u003e for 5 to 10 gallon betta tanks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-dark-rock-cave-aquarium-hide-bettas-shrimp-plecos\"\u003eHikari Dark Rock Cave\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/zoomed-betta-mopani-wood-natural-african-driftwood\"\u003eZooMed Betta Mopani Wood\u003c\/a\u003e for territory and cover\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-catappa-leaves-10pk\"\u003eFritz Catappa Leaves\u003c\/a\u003e for gentle tannins\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the photo really this fish?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is a dragon betta?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is a plakat betta?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePlakat is the short-finned form of \u003cem\u003eBetta splendens\u003c\/em\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill his scales cover more of him over time?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOften, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes he really need a heater and a filter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan he live with another betta?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48736627163355,"sku":"FW1-F7464","price":25.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/E42BD141-88D3-45A6-8D0D-C4A3211AC194.png?v=1789829640","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/black-and-blue-dragon-plakat-male-betta-splendens-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}