{"product_id":"black-orchid-crowntail-male-betta-betta-splendens","title":"Black Orchid Crowntail 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:#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 Orchid Crowntail Male Betta\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eBetta splendens\u003c\/em\u003e) is about as dramatic as a five gallon tank gets: a near-black body lit from within by blue and violet iridescence, carried on the long spiky rays that give the crowntail its name. Under a decent light the scales flash teal and the dark fins pick up a purple sheen, and against a planted tank the whole fish reads like ink with a spark in it. Hardy, personable, and a genuine centerpiece. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater livestock\u003c\/a\u003e while you are here.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat you see is what you get.\u003c\/strong\u003e The photo shows the exact betta you will receive. Color and finnage keep developing as a young betta matures, and shades shift slightly with lighting and mood.\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\u003cp\u003eBettas are a great beginner fish, but the myth that they thrive in tiny unheated bowls is just that, a myth. Give yours a small heated tank and it will reward you with bold color and a long, active life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5 gallons or larger, with a lid. Bettas are labyrinth fish that gulp air from the surface, and they are accomplished jumpers, so a cover is a must.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeat and flow:\u003c\/strong\u003e a steady 78 to 82°F with a heater, and gentle filtration. Strong current tires out a long-finned betta, so baffle the flow if needed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e pH 6.5 to 7.5, soft to moderate hardness. Crowntail rays show damage faster than any other tail type, so stable clean water and regular partial changes matter more here than usual.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSetup:\u003c\/strong\u003e live or silk plants and smooth decor with hiding spots. Avoid sharp or rough ornaments that can snag those open rays, and skip plastic plants with hard edges.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e carnivore. Feed a quality staple like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-betta-floating-pellets\"\u003eXtreme Betta Floating Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e and supplement with frozen or freeze-dried bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRest spots:\u003c\/strong\u003e bettas love to lounge near the surface. A \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/zoomed-betta-bed-leaf-hammock\"\u003eleaf hammock\u003c\/a\u003e or broad-leaved plant gives him somewhere to perch between trips up for air.\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=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;margin:6px 0 10px;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBlack Orchid Crowntail Betta, Siamese Fighting Fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\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\u003eSex \/ Tail Type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eMale, Crowntail (extended spiky rays)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColor Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBlack Orchid, dark body with blue and violet iridescence\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, house males alone\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 2.5 to 3 in. including fins\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMin. Tank Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e5 gallons, heated, with a lid\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\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCarnivore (pellets, frozen foods)\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 only\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;\"\u003eTank Mates \u0026amp; Compatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMale bettas are territorial and must be kept one to a tank. Never house two males together, and do not keep a male with females outside a controlled breeding setup. In a 10 gallon or larger planted tank a male betta can share space with peaceful, quick schooling fish such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ember-tetra-hyphessobrycon-amandae-freshwater\"\u003eEmber Tetra\u003c\/a\u003e, small rasboras, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/pygmy-cory-corydoras-pygmaeus-freshwater\"\u003ePygmy Cory\u003c\/a\u003e, plus \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/racetrack-nerite-snail-vittina-sp-freshwater\"\u003enerite snails\u003c\/a\u003e on cleanup duty. Skip fin nippers like tiger barbs, and anything flashy or long-finned he might mistake for a rival.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShopping the betta rack? Compare the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/american-flag-crowntail-male-betta-betta-splendens\"\u003eAmerican Flag Crowntail\u003c\/a\u003e for the same fin type in a very different palette, or the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/mustard-gas-halfmoon-male-betta-betta-splendens\"\u003eMustard Gas Halfmoon\u003c\/a\u003e for a broader, smoother tail.\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 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 treat and conditioning food\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/zoomed-betta-bed-leaf-hammock\"\u003eZooMed Betta Bed Leaf Hammock\u003c\/a\u003e resting spot near the surface\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 and fin conditioning\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-prime-complete-concentrated-water-conditioner\"\u003eSeachem Prime\u003c\/a\u003e water conditioner for every water change\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/anubias-nana-anubias-barteri-nana-potted-freshwater-plant\"\u003eAnubias Nana\u003c\/a\u003e broad leaves to rest on\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\u003eWhat makes a crowntail different?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReduced webbing between the fin rays, so the rays stick out past the edge like spikes on a crown. It is purely a finnage trait and does not change care, except that the exposed rays are more delicate than a solid tail and show damage sooner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Black Orchid really black?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eClose to it. The base is a very dark melano-influenced body with blue and violet iridescence layered over the top, so it looks near-black in low light and lights up teal and purple under a good lamp. Fully solid black bettas are rare, and most so-called black fish carry this iridescent wash.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes he need a heater?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Room temperature is too cold for a betta in most homes, and a chilled betta gets lethargic, stops eating, and becomes prone to infection. A small adjustable heater holding 78 to 82°F is the single best thing you can buy him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHis fins look ragged. What happened?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCrowntail rays catch on things and tear more readily than other tails. Usually it is sharp decor, strong flow, or declining water quality. Fix the cause and clean water will regrow the fin over a few weeks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep him in a bowl?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePlease do not. An unheated, unfiltered bowl is the reason bettas have a reputation for short lives. In a heated, filtered five gallon tank a healthy betta commonly lives three years or more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49183858262235,"sku":"SQ-BETTACROWNTAIL","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/fb684374-265a-4799-b272-1c0c8c4c0934.png?v=1787830079","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/black-orchid-crowntail-male-betta-betta-splendens","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}