Double Tail Male Betta (Betta splendens)

The Double Tail Male Betta (Betta splendens) carries one of the most distinctive silhouettes in the hobby, a caudal fin split into two full lobes backed by an extra tall dorsal fin that gives him a dramatic, ruffled outline from every angle. Bettas are beginner-friendly, full of personality, and make a striking centerpiece for a small heated tank. Browse our other live freshwater fish while you plan his home.

Please note: each betta is a hand-picked individual, so the exact fish you receive may vary slightly from the photo. You are welcome to come meet him in store.

Care Guide

Bettas are tropical fish that need a heated, gently filtered tank with easy access to the surface, since they breathe air through a special labyrinth organ. Double tails have a shorter, stockier body than other bettas, so keep meals small and the water clean; they can be a little more prone to bloat when overfed. Keep the flow soft and always use a lid, as bettas are accomplished jumpers.

• Minimum tank size: 5 gallons for one male.
• Temperature: 78 to 82°F. A heater is required.
• Water: pH 6.5 to 7.5, soft to moderately hard, with gentle filtration.
• Diet: Carnivore. Feed a quality betta pellet as the staple plus frozen or freeze-dried bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia for variety. Feed sparingly to protect his compact digestive tract.
• Cover: Provide live or silk plants, a floating plant or two, and a cave. Resting spots near the surface keep him calm and confident.

Specifications

Compatibility

A single male betta shines as the centerpiece of a peaceful community tank. Good tankmates include small peaceful schooling fish, corydoras catfish like the Panda Cory, kuhli loaches, otocinclus, and nerite snails. Avoid fin-nippers like tiger barbs, never add a second betta of either sex long-term, and skip large or aggressive fish. Many keepers are happiest giving a showy male like this his own planted 5-gallon where that split tail takes center stage.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• New Life Spectrum Betta Semi-Floating Pellet or Seachem NutriDiet Betta with Probiotics as a staple food.
• Seachem Prime to dechlorinate every water change.
• A Hikari Dark Rock Cave and ZooMed Betta Mopani Wood for cover and resting spots.
• Fritz Casuarina Cones for gentle tannins that mimic his natural blackwater habitat.
• Browse all of our fish food and freshwater supplies.

FAQ

What is a double tail betta?
A double tail carries a gene that splits the caudal fin into two distinct lobes and broadens the dorsal fin. It is a true tail type, not an injury, and gives him a uniquely full, symmetrical look.

Is a double tail harder to care for?
Only slightly. The same gene gives him a shorter body, so feed small portions and keep up with water changes to head off bloat and swim bladder trouble. Otherwise his care is identical to any betta.

Can I keep him with another betta?
No. Male bettas are territorial and will fight other males, and pairing with a female only works briefly under controlled breeding conditions. Keep him as the only betta in the tank.

Does he need a heater?
Yes. Bettas are tropical and need stable water in the upper 70s. A small adjustable heater is essential.