Giant Multicolor Plakat Male Betta (Betta splendens)

This Giant Multicolor Plakat Male Betta (Betta splendens) is a big, thick bodied betta with a patchwork of red, lavender and blue across his body and short red fins edged and streaked with blue. "Giant" means he comes from a line bred for size: giants grow well past a regular betta and carry a heavier, more muscular frame. "Plakat" is the short finned form, closer to the wild fish, so he swims hard and is less prone to fin damage than long finned types. "Multicolor" bettas show three or more colors at once, and the exact mix shifts as they settle in and mature. Like most domestic bettas he is hardy and a good first betta, as long as he gets a heated, filtered tank with room for his size. Browse the rest of our live freshwater fish, all of our bettas, and our freshwater supplies to set his tank up right.

Care Guide

• Tank size: 10 gallons minimum. A giant betta has a much bigger body than a regular betta, and cups or small bowls leave him no room to turn and swim. A heated, filtered, cycled tank changes how he looks and behaves.
• Temperature: 78 to 82°F, and a heater is not optional. Cold water makes a betta lethargic and prone to illness, and a stable temperature matters more than hitting a perfect number.
• Gentle flow. Plakats handle current better than long finned bettas, but they still prefer calm water. Baffle the filter outlet or use a Hikari Bacto-Surge sponge filter.
• Leave an air gap and use a lid. Bettas breathe air at the surface through their labyrinth organ, and plakats are strong jumpers.
• Water parameters: pH 6.5 to 7.5, soft to moderately hard. Do a weekly partial water change and treat new water with Seachem Betta Basics or Seachem Prime.
• Feeding: carnivore with a big appetite. Feed a quality pellet like Hikari Betta Bio-Gold as the staple, and add frozen or freeze-dried bloodworms and brine shrimp two or three times a week. Giants are prone to bloating, so feed small portions he finishes in a minute or two.
• Decor: plants and resting spots near the surface, like Anubias Nana and a ZooMed Betta Floating Lounge. Skip anything with sharp edges, because fins tear.
• One male per tank. Non-negotiable. Two male bettas in the same water will fight until one of them is dead, and a giant hits harder than most.

Specifications

Compatibility

In a 10 gallon he is happiest alone or with a nerite snail like the Racetrack Nerite. In a larger, well planted tank he can share space with calm bottom dwellers and quick, plain colored schooling fish such as Pygmy Cories, Black Kuhli Loaches, Otocinclus and Kubotai Rasboras in a group of six or more. Because of his size, very small tank mates and shrimp are more likely to end up as food.

Avoid fin nippers like tiger barbs and serpae tetras, long finned or brightly colored fish like fancy guppies, and gouramis. Never a second betta. Temperament varies by individual, so watch the tank for the first week and have a backup plan.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• Fluval Bug Bites Betta Formula or Hikari Betta Bio-Gold as the daily staple
• Frozen bloodworms or Fluval freeze-dried bloodworms as a treat
• Seachem Betta Basics or Fritz Betta Water for water changes
• Sicce Jolly 20W Pre-Set Heater for a 10 gallon
• ZooMed Betta Bed Leaf Hammock and a Hikari Dark Rock Cave for resting spots
• Fritz Catappa Leaves and ZooMed Mopani Wood for tannins and cover

FAQ

How big does a giant betta get?
Giant lines typically reach about 4 to 5 inches, close to twice the body mass of a regular betta. He keeps growing for several months after you bring him home, so plan the tank for his adult size.

Will his colors stay the same?
Not always. Multicolor bettas often shift as they settle into a new tank and mature, and the mix of red, lavender and blue can change. Good water, warmth and a varied diet bring out the best color he has.

Is a plakat harder to keep than a long finned betta?
No, it is usually easier. Short fins are less likely to tear or rot, and plakats are active, strong swimmers that cope better with a little current.

Can he live in a 5 gallon tank?
We recommend 10 gallons for a giant. A 5 gallon is fine for a regular betta, but a giant needs the extra swimming room and water volume to stay healthy.

Can I keep him with a female betta?
Only in a supervised breeding setup, and only for a short time. Outside of breeding, a male and female kept together will fight, so give him his own tank.