{"product_id":"channoides-betta-betta-channoides-freshwater","title":"Channoides Betta (Betta channoides)","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\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eChannoides Betta\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eBetta channoides\u003c\/em\u003e), also called the Snakehead Betta, is one of the most rewarding small wild bettas you can keep. Males are scarlet to orange-red with black fins finished in a crisp white seam, and they spend their days displaying to each other in slow, flaring standoffs rather than actually fighting. These are \u003cstrong\u003etank-raised\u003c\/strong\u003e fish, so they are already adapted to aquarium life and far more forgiving than wild imports. Care level is intermediate, temperament is peaceful and shy. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\"\u003elive fish\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater supplies\u003c\/a\u003e to build the blackwater tank they deserve.\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;\"\u003eChoose Your Fish\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMale:\u003c\/strong\u003e the showpiece, scarlet body with black and white edged fins. Broader head than a female.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFemale:\u003c\/strong\u003e tan to grey-brown with faint vertical bars and a rounder body. Add her to a male and you have a breeding project.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePair:\u003c\/strong\u003e one male and one female, the best way to start. Settled pairs spawn readily and this species is genuinely easy to breed at home.\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;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10 gallons or larger for a pair, 15 to 20 gallons for a small colony. Floor space and sightline breaks matter more than height.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLid rule number one:\u003c\/strong\u003e a tight-fitting lid with no gaps is mandatory. Wild bettas are expert jumpers and an open tank is the leading cause of losses. Leave a small pocket of humid air above the waterline for the labyrinth organ.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e soft and acidic, pH 5.5 to 6.5 and 1 to 5 dGH. Tank-raised stock is more tolerant than wild fish, but RO water cut with a little tap is still the easiest way to get there.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75 to 82°F. They come from shaded jungle streams and do not want to sit in the high 80s.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAquascape:\u003c\/strong\u003e dim lighting, floating plants, driftwood, and a bed of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-catappa-leaves-10pk\"\u003ecatappa leaves\u003c\/a\u003e to stain the water amber. Secure fish are colorful fish, a bare tank gives you a washed-out fish hiding in a corner.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFiltration:\u003c\/strong\u003e gentle only. A \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-bacto-surge-foam-filter-sponge-freshwater-saltwater\"\u003esponge filter\u003c\/a\u003e is ideal, they dislike current.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e micropredator. Live and frozen foods are the staple, including \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-mini-bloodworms-cube-1-75oz\"\u003emini bloodworms\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-baby-brine-shrimp-cube-1-75oz\"\u003ebaby brine shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-bio-pure-freeze-dried-daphnia\"\u003edaphnia\u003c\/a\u003e. Tank-raised fish usually take \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-micro-pellets\"\u003emicro pellets\u003c\/a\u003e too, which is a real advantage over wild-caught stock. Small meals, they put on weight easily.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e paternal mouthbrooder. The male carries 5 to 15 large eggs in his mouth for 10 to 21 days and releases fully formed free-swimming fry. Parents rarely eat the babies, so a species tank can raise its own next generation. Keep the tank quiet and dim while he is holding or he may swallow the clutch.\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\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 channoides\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\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eChannoides Betta, Snakehead Betta, Pygmy Mouthbrooding Betta\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;\"\u003eMahakam River basin, East Kalimantan, Borneo. These are tank-raised.\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 1.5 inches (4 cm)\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;\"\u003eIntermediate\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;\"\u003ePeaceful, shy\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;\"\u003e10 gallons for a pair\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;\"\u003e75 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;\"\u003e5.5 to 6.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e1 to 5 dGH, very low KH\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, micropredator\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePaternal mouthbrooder, 10 to 21 days\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 only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\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\u003eA species-only or biotope tank shows this fish at its best, and multiple males can be kept together in a larger tank with enough plants and wood to break up sightlines. If you want company, stick to tiny peaceful soft-water fish: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ember-tetra-hyphessobrycon-amandae-freshwater\"\u003eEmber Tetras\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/black-kuhli-loach-pangio-oblonga-freshwater\"\u003ekuhli loaches\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/assorted-dwarf-neocaridina-shrimp\"\u003edwarf shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e all work well, though shrimplets will be treated as food. Avoid barbs, danios, larger tetras, gouramis, and domestic \u003cem\u003eBetta splendens\u003c\/em\u003e, all of which will outcompete a channoides at feeding time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOne important warning:\u003c\/strong\u003e do not house this species with our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/albimarginata-betta-pair-betta-albimarginata-freshwater\"\u003eAlbimarginata Betta\u003c\/a\u003e. The two are close relatives, they will readily hybridize, and mixed offspring muddy the bloodlines that keep both species available in the hobby. Pick one for the tank and keep it pure.\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\/fritz-catappa-leaves-10pk\"\u003eFritz Catappa Leaves\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-catappa-tea-bags\"\u003eCatappa Tea Bags\u003c\/a\u003e for the tannins this species expects\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-mini-bloodworms-cube-1-75oz\"\u003eSFBB Mini Bloodworms\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-baby-brine-shrimp-cube-1-75oz\"\u003eBaby Brine Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e, correctly sized for a small mouth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-micro-pellets\"\u003eHikari Micro Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e as an everyday dry backup\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-bacto-surge-foam-filter-sponge-freshwater-saltwater\"\u003eHikari Bacto-Surge Sponge Filter\u003c\/a\u003e for gentle, fry-safe filtration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/malaysian-driftwood-freshwater-aquascaping-hardwood\"\u003eMalaysian Driftwood\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/java-moss-taxiphyllum-barbieri-freshwater-moss\"\u003eJava Moss\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/frogbit-portion-cup-limnobium-spongia\"\u003eFrogbit\u003c\/a\u003e for cover and shade\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 does tank-raised mean and why does it matter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThese fish were bred in captivity rather than collected from the wild. They are already used to aquarium water and prepared foods, they acclimate faster, and buying them takes zero pressure off wild populations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I tell a male from a female?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDisplaying males are scarlet with black fins edged in white. Females are plainer tan or grey with faint vertical bars and rounder bodies. A male that is not showing off can look drab, so check the head shape and the white fin edging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this the same fish as a Betta albimarginata?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo, they are close cousins that get sold side by side. \u003cem\u003eB. channoides\u003c\/em\u003e is brighter scarlet with a thin white fin margin, while \u003cem\u003ealbimarginata\u003c\/em\u003e is a deeper brick red with a much thicker white and black band. Females tell them apart best: channoides females show vertical stripes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep one in a small desktop tank like a splendens?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePlease do not. These need soft acidic water, tannins, cover, and a secure lid. A 10 gallon planted blackwater tank is the honest minimum and it is where they actually look spectacular.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Male","offer_id":49025326612699,"sku":"FW1-F8987-M","price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Female","offer_id":49025326645467,"sku":"FW1-F8987-F","price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Pair","offer_id":49025326678235,"sku":"FW1-F8987","price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/ZQ7M4AGI5IFM2OC3PKWQSFL5_jpeg.webp?v=1784999290","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/channoides-betta-betta-channoides-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}