Dumbo Ear White Male Betta (Betta splendens)

The Dumbo Ear White Male Betta (Betta splendens) is pure elegance, a clean platinum-white male set off by oversized "dumbo" pectoral fins that fan out like elephant ears as he glides through the tank. 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 will vary slightly from the photo. You are welcome to pick your favorite 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. Keep the flow soft so his large fins are not battered, 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.
• 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, 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 those big pectoral fins take 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 to add gentle, leaf-litter tannins bettas love.
• Live aquarium plants or floating cover like Water Hyacinth.

FAQ

What makes a betta a "dumbo ear"?
Dumbo or elephant-ear bettas have unusually large pectoral fins that flare out at the sides like ears. It is a sought-after trait that gives them a graceful, distinctive look as they swim.

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.

What size tank does he really need?
Five gallons is a comfortable minimum, with a heater, gentle filter, and a lid. Bigger tanks are easier to keep stable and show off his fins.