Halfmoon Betta

Betta splendens var. Halfmoon

The Halfmoon Betta is the icon of modern fishkeeping. Its genetic characteristic is the tail spread at a perfect 180°, forming a magnificent semicircle. While breathtakingly beautiful, it is a morphologically handicapped fish: the huge fins act as a ballast, making swimming exhausting. It needs strictly static tanks (minimum 20 liters), with NO current, and plenty of broad-leafed plants near the surface (e.g. Anubias) to "lie down" and rest. It is a strict carnivore and the male MUST live alone.

Family: Osphronemidae
Origin: Forma ornamentale selezionata artificialmente (allevamento), originaria dei ceppi asiatici (Tailandia, Indonesia).
Tank use: Used in 0 tanks

Temperature

24 °C - 28 °C

6 - 7.5

Water type

Freshwater

Tank level

Surface and middle

Adult size

7 cm

Description

The Lethal Razor (Plastics and Lava Rock Futile Deaf Mute):

The 180° fins are as fragile as antique silk. Putting plastic plants in a tank with a Halfmoon is like putting it in a blender. Even rough decorations (like the common volcanic/lava rock) will tear the fins as soon as the fish rests on them. The aquarium for this fish must be "soft": smooth wood and only live plants.

Care and observations

Exhaustion Self-Mutilation (The Tail Rejection Futile Blind):

A gruesome but very common phenomenon among Halfmoons is "Tail Biting". If the tank has too much current, if it lacks resting spots near the surface, or if the fish is chronically stressed by its own reflection on the glass, it will go crazy. It will perceive its huge tail as its main enemy, turn on itself and start biting it off to relieve the weight. The torn flaps will immediately become infected (Fin Rot). To avoid this: sponge filters (zero flow) and real floating leaves.

Fish profile

Temperament: Estremamente Aggressivo (Intraspecifico) ma Vulnerabile ai coinquilini
Diet: Insettivoro/Carnivoro. Micro-pellet specifici per Betta, chironomus, larve di zanzara.
Tank level: Surface and middle
Adult size: 7 cm
GH: 5 dGH - 15 dGH
KH: n/a
TDS: n/a
Conductivity: n/a

Image gallery

Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.

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