Male Betta, Assorted Colors (Betta splendens)

The Male Betta (Betta splendens), also called the Siamese fighting fish, is the classic betta: long, flowing veiltail fins, bold color, and a personality far bigger than his size. He learns who feeds him, greets you at the glass, flares to show off, and builds bubble nests at the surface when he is happy and settled. This listing is our everyday assorted male in the traditional veiltail fin type, so colors range across reds, blues, purples, whites, and multicolor fish depending on what is in the tank that week. Browse the rest of our live fish and freshwater supplies to set up his home.

About the Assortment

Every male in this mix is an individual, so the fish you take home will not match the listing photo exactly. Colors and patterns vary from batch to batch, and many bettas keep shifting color as they mature. If you would like to choose him yourself, stop by and we are happy to show you the males we have and help you pick one you love. Looking for a specific fin type or color? Browse all of our bettas, including named varieties like the Dumbo Ear Half-Moon Male and our one-of-a-kind WYSIWYG males. Want a female instead? See our Female Betta, Assorted Colors.

Care Guide

• Tank: 5 gallons or larger with a filter and a lid. Bettas can jump, and a bigger tank stays warmer and cleaner, which keeps him healthier and more active than a small bowl ever will.
• Heat: Bettas are tropical fish. Hold the water at 78 to 82°F with an adjustable heater such as the Aquatop Pisces 25W. Cold water makes them sluggish and prone to illness.
• Gentle flow: Those long fins catch current, so use a gentle filter or a sponge filter. If he struggles to swim or hides from the outflow, baffle it.
• Water care: Change about 25 percent of the water each week and treat new water with a dechlorinator like Seachem Betta Basics. Match the temperature when you refill.
• Feeding: A carnivore with a small stomach. Feed a few betta pellets once or twice a day, such as Hikari Betta Bio-Gold or Fluval Bug Bites Betta Formula, and offer frozen or freeze-dried bloodworms and brine shrimp as treats. Overfeeding causes bloating, so less is more.
• Decor: Choose live plants or soft silk plants and smooth caves. Sharp plastic plants tear long fins. Bettas love a resting spot near the surface, like the ZooMed Betta Floating Lounge, and dried almond leaves add soft tannins they enjoy.

Specifications

Compatibility

Living alone is the simplest and safest setup for a male betta. In a planted tank of 10 gallons or more, many males share space peacefully with small, calm fish and invertebrates that stay out of his way, such as Ember Tetras, Kubotai Rasboras, the Black Kuhli Loach, nerite snails, and Amano shrimp. Avoid fin nippers like tiger barbs and serpae tetras, other bettas, gouramis, and showy long-finned fish such as fancy guppies, which he may see as rivals. Every betta has his own temperament, so watch closely for the first few days and have a backup plan if he turns out to be a loner.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• Hikari Betta Bio-Gold, a color-enhancing staple pellet sized for bettas
• Fluval Bug Bites Betta Formula, insect-based pellets for variety
• Fluval Betta Freeze-Dried Bloodworms and Hikari Bio-Pure Frozen Brine Shrimp as treats
• Seachem Betta Basics water conditioner and the Aquatop Pisces 25W heater
• Hikari Dark Rock Cave and Fluval Betta Tropical Almond Leaves for cover and soft tannins

FAQ

Can I pick his color?
Not online. This is an assorted listing, so colors vary and we choose a healthy, active male for you. If you want to pick him yourself, visit the store and we will show you the males in the tank.

Can two male bettas live together?
No. Two males in the same tank will fight, often to the death. Divided tanks only work with a solid, gap-free divider, and even then many males stay stressed seeing each other.

Can he live with a female betta?
Not long term. Males and females are only put together briefly for breeding, under close watch. Kept together full time, one usually ends up injured.

Does he really need a heater?
Yes. Bettas are tropical fish and do best at 78 to 82°F. Most homes run cooler than that, and a cold betta becomes lethargic and more prone to disease.

Why is he making bubbles at the surface?
That is a bubble nest. Males build them when they feel comfortable and healthy, even with no female around. It is a good sign, so leave it be.

Why does he flare at the glass?
Flaring is how a male shows off and warns off rivals, including his own reflection. A little flaring is normal and healthy. If he does it constantly, a background on the back and sides of the tank cuts down the reflections he sees.