{"product_id":"red-alien-male-betta-sp-freshwater","title":"WYSIWYG Red Alien Male Betta (Betta sp.)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#1E88E5;color:#ffffff;padding:11px 14px;margin:0 0 10px;font-size:0.95em;border-radius:3px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWYSIWYG, What You See Is What You Get.\u003c\/strong\u003e The photo on this listing is this exact fish, not a stock image. There is only one of him, and once he sells the listing comes down.\n\u003c\/div\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\u003eThis \u003cstrong\u003eRed Alien Male Betta\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eBetta sp.\u003c\/em\u003e) is a betta with wild blood. Alien bettas are hybrids of the domestic \u003cem\u003eBetta splendens\u003c\/em\u003e with wild species, and they keep the lean, wild-type body and short plakat-style fins of their wild side while wearing some of the most intense iridescent scaling in the hobby. Red aliens carry red through the body and fins, usually deepening toward a darker wine red, with metallic scaling over the top that can flash copper, green, or blue. He swims like an athlete, flares like any betta, and is just as hardy and beginner friendly. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\"\u003elive freshwater fish\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater supplies\u003c\/a\u003e to set his tank up right.\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;\"\u003eWhy WYSIWYG Matters on an Alien Betta\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Alien\" is a catch-all name, not a fixed strain, and that makes it one of the hardest bettas to buy from a stock photo. Because these fish carry wild blood, the lines are far less uniform than domestic color strains. One alien is armored in iridescent scales from nose to tail, the next shows only a scattering of them over a plain dark body, and the fins can be clean, streaked with fine colored rays, or edged in something brighter. The iridescence is also strongly angle dependent, so the same fish reads richer red, more copper, or cooler and more metallic as he turns. The photo on this page is him, in our tank, as he looks right now. Expect his scaling to thicken and brighten a little as a young male finishes maturing, and expect him to darken or pale with mood, the way wild-type bettas do.\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;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5 gallons minimum, 10 gallons is better. Alien bettas are athletic, active swimmers, and they use the extra room. Give him a real heated, filtered, cycled tank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 78 to 82°F, held steady with a heater. A small preset unit like the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/aquatop-pisces-25w-nano-aquarium-heater\"\u003eAquatop Pisces 25W\u003c\/a\u003e suits a 5 to 10 gallon tank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGentle flow.\u003c\/strong\u003e Short fins handle current better than a halfmoon, but he still prefers calm water. A sponge filter such as the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-bacto-surge-foam-filter-sponge-freshwater-saltwater\"\u003eHikari Bacto-Surge Foam Filter\u003c\/a\u003e is ideal.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA tight lid is essential.\u003c\/strong\u003e Wild-type bettas are powerful, determined jumpers, more so than most domestic strains. Close the gaps around cords and filters, and leave an air gap under the cover, since he breathes air at the surface through his labyrinth organ.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e pH 6.5 to 7.5, soft to moderately hard. He does well in ordinary fresh water with no salt needed. Change about 25% weekly and treat new water with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-betta-basics\"\u003eSeachem Betta Basics\u003c\/a\u003e or another dechlorinator.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e carnivore. A betta pellet such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/new-life-spectrum-betta-semi-floating-pellet\"\u003eNew Life Spectrum Betta Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e as the staple, with frozen or freeze-dried bloodworms and daphnia two or three times a week. Some wild-type fish are shy about pellets at first, and a few days of frozen food usually brings them around.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDecor:\u003c\/strong\u003e plenty of cover. Wild-type bettas feel safest with plants, wood, and shade, and a nervous fish is a pale fish. Floating plants like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/frogbit-portion-cup-limnobium-spongia\"\u003eFrogbit\u003c\/a\u003e, a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-dark-rock-cave-aquarium-hide-bettas-shrimp-plecos\"\u003ecave\u003c\/a\u003e, and a few \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-catappa-leaves-10pk\"\u003ecatappa leaves\u003c\/a\u003e bring out his best color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOne male per tank.\u003c\/strong\u003e Two male bettas in the same water will fight until one of them is dead.\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\u003ctbody\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\n\u003cem\u003eBetta sp.\u003c\/em\u003e, hybrid of \u003cem\u003eBetta splendens\u003c\/em\u003e with wild \u003cem\u003eBetta\u003c\/em\u003e species\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis listing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eWYSIWYG, one specific male, quantity of one\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVariety\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eRed Alien, red base with iridescent scaling\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFin type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePlakat style, short finned, wild-type body\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSex\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eMale\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;\"\u003eBeginner\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;\"\u003eSemi-aggressive, one male per tank\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 2.5 to 3 inches\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;\"\u003e5 gallons, 10 preferred\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;\"\u003e78 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;\"\u003e6.5 to 7.5\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\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e3 to 5 years with good care\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;\"\u003eCaptive bred hybrid, typically on Thai betta farms\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 pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\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\u003eAn alien male can share a 10 gallon or larger, well-planted tank with the right neighbors. He is quicker and often bolder than a long-finned domestic betta, so tankmates should be calm and able to stay out of his way. Good choices include \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/pygmy-cory-corydoras-pygmaeus-freshwater\"\u003ePygmy Corys\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/otocinclus-catfish-otocinclus-vittatus-freshwater-algae-eater\"\u003eOtocinclus\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/black-kuhli-loach-pangio-oblonga-freshwater\"\u003eBlack Kuhli Loaches\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/racetrack-nerite-snail-vittina-sp-freshwater\"\u003enerite snails\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/amano-shrimp-caridina-multidentata-freshwater\"\u003eAmano Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e are large enough to usually hold their own, while small shrimp tend to become snacks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid fin nippers such as tiger barbs and serpae tetras, avoid flashy long-finned fish he may read as a rival, and never add a second betta of either sex. Temperament varies by individual, so watch closely for the first week and have a backup plan if he turns out to be a bully. Plenty of keepers give an alien his own planted 5 or 10 gallon, where he settles in and shows off.\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\/new-life-spectrum-betta-semi-floating-pellet\"\u003eNew Life Spectrum Betta Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-betta-bio-gold\"\u003eHikari Betta Bio-Gold\u003c\/a\u003e as the daily staple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-bloodworms-cube-1-75oz\"\u003eFrozen bloodworms\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-bio-pure-frozen-daphnia\"\u003eHikari Bio-Pure Frozen Daphnia\u003c\/a\u003e for variety\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-betta-basics\"\u003eSeachem Betta Basics\u003c\/a\u003e for every water change\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/aquatop-pisces-25w-nano-aquarium-heater\"\u003eAquatop Pisces 25W Nano Heater\u003c\/a\u003e for a steady temperature\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-dark-rock-cave-aquarium-hide-bettas-shrimp-plecos\"\u003eHikari Dark Rock Cave\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/frogbit-portion-cup-limnobium-spongia\"\u003eFrogbit\u003c\/a\u003e for cover\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-catappa-leaves-10pk\"\u003eFritz Catappa Leaves\u003c\/a\u003e for the tannin-stained water wild-type bettas color up in\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\u003eIs the photo really this fish?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. That is him in one of our tanks, photographed as he is now. That is what WYSIWYG means. There is one of him, so when he sells the page comes down instead of being restocked with a different betta.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is an alien betta?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA hybrid. Alien bettas come from crossing the domestic \u003cem\u003eBetta splendens\u003c\/em\u003e with wild species from the same group, most often \u003cem\u003eBetta mahachaiensis\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eBetta smaragdina\u003c\/em\u003e, and sometimes \u003cem\u003eBetta imbellis\u003c\/em\u003e. The result keeps the wild body shape and short fins but carries heavy iridescent scaling. Exact parentage varies by breeder and is rarely recorded, which is why we list him honestly as \u003cem\u003eBetta sp.\u003c\/em\u003e rather than claiming a single species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs he harder to keep than a regular betta?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNot really. Care is the same as any betta: heated, filtered, gently moving water and a varied carnivore diet. The two differences worth knowing are that wild-type fish jump harder, so the lid matters more, and some are shy for the first few days until they learn where the food comes from.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy does his color look different from day to day?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIridescent scaling changes with the angle of the light, and wild-type bettas also darken or pale with mood. A fish that just moved tanks, or is sitting under bright bare light, often looks washed out. Stable water, shade from plants, and a few catappa leaves bring the color back up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I breed him with a wild betta?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePlease do not. Because he is already a hybrid, crossing him into a pure wild species muddies lines that hobbyists work hard to keep clean. If you want to breed, pair him only with another alien. And like any aquarium fish, never release him or his offspring outdoors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan he live with another betta?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. Two males will fight to the death, and males and females should only be put together by experienced breeders under supervision. One male per tank, every time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49318855704795,"sku":"8399950","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/FFCC47C0-EF67-4605-AFCA-FB2D7D4D72D4.png?v=1789830328","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/red-alien-male-betta-sp-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}