{"product_id":"super-giant-koi-shortfin-male-betta-betta-splendens","title":"Super Giant Koi Shortfin Male Betta (Betta splendens)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\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\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eSuper Giant Koi Shortfin Male Betta\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eBetta splendens\u003c\/em\u003e) stacks three of the most sought after traits in the betta world onto one fish. \u003cstrong\u003eSuper Giant\u003c\/strong\u003e is a selectively bred size strain that grows to roughly twice the length of an ordinary betta, with the heavy build and deliberate presence to match. \u003cstrong\u003eKoi\u003c\/strong\u003e is the marble pattern, a patchwork of red, black, white, and turquoise splashed across the body like a nishikigoi. \u003cstrong\u003eShortfin\u003c\/strong\u003e, also called plakat, trades the flowing veils for compact, muscular finnage. Put together you get a big, bold, fast betta that looks hand painted. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e to set him up properly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#FFF8E1;border-left:4px solid #F57F17;padding:10px 14px;margin:14px 0;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHis colors will change, and that is the point.\u003c\/strong\u003e Koi bettas carry the marble gene, which keeps rearranging pigment for the fish's whole life. Patches spread, shrink, and shift colors over weeks and months. The fish you take home will not look the same in six months, and no two koi bettas ever end up alike.\n\u003c\/div\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 10 gallons minimum for a giant. The usual 5 gallon betta advice is written for a 2.5 inch fish, and this strain reaches 3.5 to 5 inches with a much heavier body and a bigger appetite, which means more waste and more swimming room.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeat is not optional.\u003c\/strong\u003e 78 to 82°F year round, held steady with a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/marina-submersible-heater\"\u003esubmersible heater\u003c\/a\u003e. Room temperature leaves a betta sluggish, off its food, and prone to illness.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShortfins handle flow better.\u003c\/strong\u003e One real advantage of a plakat over a halfmoon: compact fins mean he actually swims well, does not tire fighting the filter, and is far less prone to fin tearing or tail biting. Moderate flow is fine.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e carnivore, and a giant eats noticeably more than a standard betta. Build the diet on a quality pellet such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-betta-bio-gold\"\u003eHikari Betta Bio-Gold\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-betta-floating-pellets\"\u003eXtreme Betta Floating Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e, or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/new-life-spectrum-betta-semi-floating-pellet\"\u003eNew Life Spectrum Betta\u003c\/a\u003e, with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-betta-food-1g-vial-bloodworms\"\u003efreeze dried bloodworms\u003c\/a\u003e two or three times a week. Feed twice daily and still stop short of a bloated belly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSurface access:\u003c\/strong\u003e bettas breathe air through a labyrinth organ and have to reach the surface. Leave an air gap under the lid, and a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/zoomed-betta-bed-leaf-hammock\"\u003eleaf hammock\u003c\/a\u003e near the top gives him somewhere to rest.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTannins help.\u003c\/strong\u003e A \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-catappa-leaves-10pk\"\u003ecatappa leaf\u003c\/a\u003e or a piece of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/zoomed-betta-mopani-wood-natural-african-driftwood\"\u003emopani wood\u003c\/a\u003e releases mild antibacterial tannins and keeps the water closer to what the species evolved in.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLid required.\u003c\/strong\u003e Bettas jump, and a fish this size clears an open rim easily.\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\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\u003cem\u003eBetta splendens\u003c\/em\u003e\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;\"\u003eSuper Giant size strain, Koi marble pattern, shortfin plakat, male\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eOsphronemidae, the gouramis\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, always\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;\"\u003e3.5 to 5 inches, roughly double a standard betta\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;\"\u003e10 gallons, heated and filtered\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\u003eHardness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e3 to 15 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlow\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eLow to moderate. Shortfins swim far better than long finned bettas\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, and a bigger appetite than a standard betta\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColoration\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eMarble gene, pattern shifts throughout life\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 in a proper setup\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\/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;\"\u003eTank Mates \u0026amp; Compatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNever two males.\u003c\/strong\u003e No exceptions, no tank size that fixes it, no amount of decor. Two male bettas will fight until one is dead. Males and females also should not live together outside a supervised, temporary breeding setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommunity options.\u003c\/strong\u003e In a 10 gallon or larger, most plakats do fine with bottom dwellers and inverts that stay out of the way: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/skunk-cory-corydoras-arcuatus-freshwater\"\u003eSkunk Corys\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/black-kuhli-loach-pangio-oblonga-freshwater\"\u003eBlack Kuhli Loaches\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/otocinclus-catfish-otocinclus-vittatus-freshwater-algae-eater\"\u003eOtocinclus\u003c\/a\u003e, and nerite snails. Be more careful than usual here: a giant plakat is fast, muscular, and big enough to make a real mess of a fish it decides it dislikes. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/amano-shrimp-caridina-multidentata-freshwater\"\u003eAmano Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e are usually safe, smaller shrimp are not.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat to avoid.\u003c\/strong\u003e Fin nippers, and anything small enough to look like food to a 5 inch predator. Long finned colorful fish such as fancy guppies can read as rival males.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOther bettas we carry.\u003c\/strong\u003e Compare against our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/super-giant-shortfin-halfmoon-male-betta\"\u003eSuper Giant Shortfin Halfmoon\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/betta-giant-halfmoon-male\"\u003eGiant Halfmoon Candy Koi\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/mustard-gas-halfmoon-male-betta-betta-splendens\"\u003eMustard Gas Halfmoon\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/avatar-plakat-betta-male-betta-splendens-freshwater\"\u003eAvatar Plakat\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/blue-marble-alien-plakat-betta-freshwater\"\u003eBlue Marble Alien Plakat\u003c\/a\u003e. Each one needs its own tank.\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\/hikari-betta-bio-gold\"\u003eHikari Betta Bio-Gold\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/new-life-spectrum-betta-semi-floating-pellet\"\u003eNew Life Spectrum Betta\u003c\/a\u003e, the daily staple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-betta-food-1g-vial-bloodworms\"\u003eSFBB Freeze-Dried Bloodworms\u003c\/a\u003e as a treat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/marina-submersible-heater\"\u003eMarina Submersible Heater\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-catappa-leaves-10pk\"\u003eFritz Catappa Leaves\u003c\/a\u003e for tannins and fin condition\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/zoomed-betta-bed-leaf-hammock\"\u003eZooMed Betta Bed Leaf Hammock\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/zoomed-betta-mopani-wood-natural-african-driftwood\"\u003eBetta Mopani Wood\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-betta-basics\"\u003eSeachem Betta Basics\u003c\/a\u003e water conditioner\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\u003eHow big is a Super Giant, really?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExpect 3.5 to 5 inches depending on the individual and how well he is fed and housed. Next to a standard betta the difference is obvious, and it is not just length: giants are noticeably thicker through the body. Give him a 10 gallon and he will use all of it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy does he look different from the photo?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBecause he is a koi. The marble gene rearranges pigment continuously, so patterns drift throughout the fish's life. Take the photo as a snapshot of one moment rather than a permanent description, and expect a fish that keeps redecorating itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShortfin or longfin, which is better?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDifferent, not better. Shortfin plakats are stronger swimmers, more active, and far less likely to suffer fin damage, blowouts, or tail biting. Longfins like a halfmoon have the dramatic display but need lower flow and smoother decor. For a first betta or a slightly busier tank, the plakat is the easier fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan he live in a bowl?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. Bettas survive in bowls because they breathe air, but they do not thrive, and a giant even less so. Unheated, unfiltered, unstable water is what gives the species its short lifespan reputation. A heated 10 gallon is the baseline for this fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49014681534683,"sku":"FW1-F8260","price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_96cc9aca-8876-44d5-b900-0a640a324edb.jpg?v=1784898465","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/super-giant-koi-shortfin-male-betta-betta-splendens","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}