The Crowntail Betta Fish, scientifically known as Betta splendens is a freshwater fish that originates from South Asia. They are popular due to their aggressive nature and specific features, more so the huge caudal fin. This fish is a native of Thailand and some other regions of Southeast Asia, such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. This species is among the most popular fish in the United States, and this is due to the fact that they have gorgeous caudal fins. They are mainly referred to as Bettas or the Siamese fighting fish due to their behavior.
They are known for their beautiful and often colorful, ray-finned caudal and aggressive nature. It can be a bit challenging for a beginner. They are generally aggressive fish. The male Crown tail Betta can become a Centre of attraction in any small home aquarium due to the vibrant red and blue caudal fin and fin extension. They can make an ideal choice for a beginner, but before you can introduce the tankmates in the aquarium, you need at least two years of experience.
This species is affordable, with an average cost of between 5 to 30 dollars, and this depends on the color vibrancy, size, sex, and the reputation of the breeder. As an aquarist who is interested in learning about the Crown tail Betta, this guide seeks to give you the expansive information you need to know about the care of this fish.
QUICK FACTS
| Scientific Name | Betta splendens |
| Common Names | Siamese fighting fish, crown tail Betta |
| Family | Osphronemidae |
| Color | Typically, red and Blue |
| Size | 3 inches |
| Diet | Carnivores |
| Tank Size | 10 gallons |
| Lifespan | 2 to 3 years |
| Temperament | Very Aggressive |
| Temperature | 75 to 82 Degree F |
| Freshwater or Saltwater | Freshwater |
| Compatibility | Aggressive needs own tank |
TANK COMPANIONS
The crown tail Bettas are aggressive fish species, and therefore you need t to be careful when choosing the tankmates for them. The main cause of aggressiveness is overcrowding, and therefore if you want to reduce it, you first need to ensure the tank is spacious enough. The Bettas are generally territorial, and they love having their personal space. As a rule, you should never place more than one mal Crown tail in the tank with other species. As an adult, they will fight each other for dominance until one dies.
Generally, this species loves to live alone, but if you have to introduce the tank mates and populate your aquarium with some diverse species, then you have a few options. One more point to note is that Crown tails Bettas will fight any fish with similar behavior either they are trying to dominate, showing aggression, or are larger in size. If you want to introduce the ideal tankmates for this species, then you need to consider the fish with different swimming stratus of the tank. This fish specifically dwells in the middle section and the upper section of the aquarium, and therefore the ideal tank mates must be bottom-dwellers that are calm and peaceful.
Some of the ideal choices include;
- Guppies
- Neon tetras
- Ghost shrimp
- Red cherry
- African Dwarf from among others
Whenever you are introducing a new Betta in the existing aquarium, you should not directly put them in the tank. You can use a plastic cup floating in the tank for a period of 30 minutes as you observe how it behaves around other fish. If you notice that they are over-aggressive, they should not be put in the same tank since they will attack and stress others. Whenever they are in the tank, always keep a close eye on them to ensure they are not overly aggressive to others.
APPEARANCE
The Crown tail Bettas looks like a typical Betta in shape with a slender and long body. It is uniform in shape, and this tapers down to the mouth. This fish usually has a supra terminal mouth which means that it is upturned and hinged. Just behind the head is the gill plate. The gill is fat and smooth against the body. Thie Crown fish will have its gills faring out whenever the fish gets territorial, and this should never worry you. The reason behind this is to look larger and more intimidating.
The most defining feature of this fish species is their fins. The males have a large caudal fin that can sometimes be thrice as big as their bodies. This fin fans out, seemingly connecting to the anal and dorsal fin. Comparing this fish with the other fish of the same size, they have a big anal fin, and this creates more drama. The dorsal fins are not as wide as the anal. However, it is beautiful. In order for the dorsal fins to add some mass on the tailfins they are set farther in the back.
Obviously, the male crown fish Bettas have long flowing fins. The fins on the females are shorter compared to males. They also have same length and the signature spike look. The crown tail has a variety of colors. Most of them feature a wide and vibrant spectrum, and this makes them one of the most beautiful fish. You might find some fish with splashes of neon blue, deep purples, and vibrant red. Subtle shades of green and some metallic glimmers are standard too.
Red and blue are common and natural colors, but captive breeding has resulted in producing pink, purple, green, orange, pastel, brown, turquoise, among other colors. In their natural habitat, bright colors are usually displayed whenever they are agitated. However, in captivity, you can selectively breed to get an array of the aforementioned colors. The males have more vibrant colors compared to the females.
CROWNTAILBETTA SIZE
With their torpedo-shaped body, the Crown tail Bettas grows to a maximum size of between 2.4 to 3.1 inches. As mentioned above, the caudal fins are larger than the body, and therefore, they can grow up to 8 inches in diameter. This is twice the body size, and it contributes to its magnificent look.
CROWNTAIL BETTA LIFESPAN
Generally, the Crown tail Bettas do not have a long lifespan. On average, they live for between 2 to 3 years. This is due to their small body size. As an aquarist, you should consider this factor as you look for more fish. Most of the small fish from warm tropical regions do not live long, but they are easy to breed.
ORIGIN AND DITRIBUTION
The Crown tail Betta is a small fish that originates from Thailand, but it can also be found in Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Since their discovery, they have quickly become popular across the world. They were first bred in captivity in 1997 when they were presented at the international Betta Congress by Achmad Yusuf. His species was particularly popular for being the first to sport the long and colorful fins that most of the Bettas have now. Since then, this species has grown to be among the most widely bred aquarium fish across the globe.
This species can be found for sale in most pet stores or through freshwater fish suppliers. They are among the most popular fish, and this makes them a better choice for beginner aquarists. They are also very affordable, and this gives the beginner a low startup cost after incurring the cost of preparing the tank.
TYPICAL BEHAVIOUR
The Crown Tail Betta is a mean fish. They generally are bullies, and they will push the other fish around whenever they have a chance. They are very aggressive and territorial, and whenever they see another fish around them, they feel threatened. This is why it is crucial to provide a big tank whenever you want to add a fish in their tank.
They are most aggressive towards the fish that are of the same size or smaller—given a chance, and they will also pick a fight with a slow fish. Whenever they are ready to fight, they will flare out their tail fins and face in order to intimidate their opponents. They will then proceed to bite the other fish until they are dead. This species has complex social patterns and behaviors. Whenever a male crown tail Betta sees, another male will definitely start to prepare for a fight even if they are actually staring at their reflection through the glass.
They use the combination of their vibrant and colorful fins and scales with smooth movements to either impress the females or intimidate others. They are very intelligent and can learn from new stimuli in their environment. Changes in the world around them can change the way they behave, interact and form survival tactics. It is possible to keep multiple bettas at once, but this will depend on how well you are going to plan on the aquarium setup.
CROWNTAIL BETTA CARE
For your crown tail Bettas to live a healthy life and thrive, you need to set up a proper tank environment for them. The right aquarium habitat is the first thing you need to consider in this case. To be able to provide the right habitat, you need information on what you need, and this takes a little time and research. Below are some of the tank requirements that you need to provide for this fish species;
- TANK SIZE
This fish needs a large space that they can survive in and live in. If you provide a small tank, there is a high likelihood that their large fins will be hitting the walls as they swim, and this will cause injuries and stress to them. Therefore, you need to ae a large tank that will be able to hold at least 10 gallons of water for a single fish. If you have a plan of getting more than one Betta or other fish in the same tank, then you need to add the size of the tank. The size of the tank to add should be calculated by figuring out how much space the other fish will take in the aquarium.
- TANK LID
The crown tail Bettas are known to jump in the aquarium, and therefore, it is important to have a lid on your tank. There should be at eats 2 inches between the lid and the water surface s that the fish will not hit the lid and get injured whenever they jump. They often come up on the water surface to gulp air.
- FILTER
Another important component that needs to be included in the tank is a nitrogen filter. This will help in increasing the growth of beneficial bacteria that will, in turn, help in maintaining the healthy balance of ammonia and nitrite in the aquarium. Ensure that the airflow is gentle as strong currents in water can be dangerous to the Betta fins.
- LIGHTING
The crown tail Bettas thrive best in damp, dark surroundings, and therefore, too much light is not ideal for this fish. You, therefore, need to keep them away from direct sunlight and install a dim light in your tank. You can install a timer that will ensure the light is on only for 12 hours and stays off for the rest of the day.
- ORNAMENTS AND DECORATIONS
The Crown Berta’s love hiding spots, and it is, therefore, crucial to provide them in the aquarium. You can add small aquatic caves or rocks, and this will help create an environment that mimics their natural environment. Ensure that these decorations do not have sharp edges or rough surfaces that might harm the delicate fins of your fish.
- SUBSTRATE
The surface of the tank should also mimic the natural habitat of the fish, and that is why you need to include the substrate in your tank. The ideal material to add is fine sand that will not be too rough for the fish and the fins.
- PLANTS
It is always a good idea to add some plants to your aquarium since, in the natural habitat of the crown tail Bettas, there is mash land, rice paddies, and swamps. However, to not put too much of it or squeeze them since the fish might be in danger. You can also add some Indian almond leaves to the tank. Ensure that you leave a free space for swimming and therefore plants should be near the walls.
WATER PARAMETERS
Now that you have already understood what entails the ideal tank for your fish, it is now time to learn the things that you need to consider when selecting water for your tank. In their natural habitat, the crown tail Bettas can survive in rough water, but they should be taken care of whenever they are in captivity. The water should meet the following conditions;
- TEMPERATURE
These fish thrive in warm waters, and therefore, you should ensure the tank water has a constant temperature of between 76 to 80 degrees F. It is recommended that you install a heater in the tank to keep warming water whenever the temperatures drop below the limit and a thermometer to monitor changes. You should avoid sudden changes in water temperature since they can have health effects on your fish. For a 10-gallon tank, you can use a 50-watt heater, but whenever you have a big tank, you can go for a higher wattage heater.
- WATER HARDNESS
The average hardness of the water should be between 2 to 5 DGH.
- PH LEVEL
The PH level in the tank should be maintained between 6.4 to 7. o if you want to increase the ph. You can do so by adding two teaspoons of baking soda in every 10 gallons of water. To reduce the ph., you can do so by adding peat moss or driftwood to the aquarium.
- CHLORINE LEVELS
The level of chlorine should not be too high in water, but in case it is high, you can add DE chlorinator to your tap water before adding it to the tank.
WATER REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE
You should replace their water after every 3 to 4 days. You should avoid replacing all of the water entirely since this will upset the biological balance in the environment. A gradual change gives them room to adjust themselves to the ph. level and water temperature.
CLEANING METHOD
The tank should be cleaned regularly to ensure the fish environment is clean and healthy all the time. A fish living in a clean environment will always s be healthy and happy. However, during the cleaning, you should avoid using soap or any chemical product. Just use lukewarm water and a small piece of cloth for cleaning. You cause the turkey baster to remove the waste materials and other debris from the bottom of the tank.
CROWNTAIL BETTA DIET
This species is naturally a carnivore that thrives on a protein diet. The Betta fish care and feeding needs can range from moderate to high. You will want to feed them small portions frequently since they have small stomachs that can only accommodate small amounts. Ideally, you should feed them two times a day, and the feeding sessions should be short to avoid overfeeding. The maximum session should be 2 minutes on average. This means that if you keep your crown tail Betta feeding for more than 2 minutes, you will be overfeeding them, which can be disastrous. Some of the notable signs of overfeeding in your fish include
- Eyes popping out of their head
- Swollen body
Overfeeding will lead to an incorrect nitrogen cycle, and this will make your fish sick and ultimately cause constipation which is a major cause of death of this species.
It is always a good idea to provide a variety of food in their diet just like any other tropical fish. You can feed them on live foods such as flakes, pellets, and frozen foods, but you need to feed them in moderation. They are fussy eaters, and below are some of the best foods to feed your crown tail Bettas.
- Frozen foods
- Bloodworms
- Brine shrimps
- Black worms
- Black mosquito larvae
Some of the live foods include;
- White worms
- Insect’s larvae
- Wingless fruit flies
- Mosquito larva
You can also feed them on Betta pellets.
In their natural habitat, the crown tail Bettas are hardy, and they will feed on most of the food sources that come their way since they have limited choices. In the wild, their diet mainly consists of mosquitoes, worms, larvae, and insects. For the juvenile fish, if you want them to have optimum growth and have vibrant colors, you should provide a varied diet with high protein content and never restrict fatty amino acids.
BREEDING CROWNTAIL BETTA
As said earlier, the crown tail Bettas are easy to breed and they have high breeding success rate, but also, they have a short lifespan. They are ready for breeding in less than one year of age. They breed in bubble nests, and the males are very protective about t the bubble nest. During the courtship, the males are also very aggressive and violent. So, you need to ensure that the female is not kept alongside them apart from the breeding period. The male blows the air to the water on the water surface and creates a bubble nest.
Just before spawning, both the male and female develop bright coloration and stats circling each other under the bubble nest. This is then followed by the male wrapping himself around the female, which leads to the female laying the eggs, which are fertilized immediately. When the eggs start to sink in the tank, the male begins to scoop them up as he spits them in the bubble. After this process, the next duty of the male is to take care of the brood.
The babies will feed off the York sacs for the first three days. Even during this period, the male will also pick up any fry that falls out of the hatchet and put it back to the best. However, despite all the protection they get from their parents, it is recommended that you separate them from the parents since they sometimes eat their own baby once they start swimming. They confuse them with some food. The babies should be fed in small quantities bit on a regular basis for them to grow healthy.
SEXING CROWN TAIL BETTA
There are some notable physical differences between the male and female fish. However, most aquarists opt for males since they have the most vibrant coloration.
The females have a duller coloration compared to males, and they also have smaller fins, and that is why they are less preferred. Her coloration can even darken as she responds to the male call for mating, and se will sometimes mimic the aggressive behavior of the males.
There is also a size difference between males and females. The female is regarded as smaller since they do not have the body or anal fins that are as large as the males’.
DISEASES
The crown tail Bettas are prone to diseases just like any other fish. However, most of these diseases can be prevented by keeping the aquarium environment clean, placing antibiotics and aquarium salts in addition to taking care of their diet. From the first moment you get to interact with the fish, you should observe the behavior of the fish inside the tank so as to determine whether the fish is sick or healthy.
Some of the signs of a healthy fish include;
- Vibrant colors
- Effortless swimming
- Not hiding
- Getting along with other tank mates
- Remaining active always
- Getting excited about food
- Building bubble nests
However, if you notice that your fish does not display these signs, then there might be a problem. Some of the possible diseases that your fish might have contracted include;
- DROPSY
This disease is caused by viruses, parasites, bacteria, and poor nutrition. It is characterized by a bulging abdomen, appetite loss, and frequent rise on the water surface to take oxygen.
- MOUTH FUNGUS
This disease is characterized by some white cotton-like spots on the gill, mouth, and all the fins of its body. This is mainly caused by the inappropriate environment and lack of clean water circulation.
- WHITE SPOT DISEASE
This is a parasite that depends on the body of a Betta to live. At first, the fish looks nervous restless and rubs its body all over the tank. Then the white spots appear, which are the spots where the parasite lives. This parasite can be treated using drugs, saltwater, and thermotherapy for the fish to completely heal.
- RIPPED TAIL
This is a common disease that mainly occurs due to poor water quality. The fish looks decayed with strange white spots black and red edges along with the affected areas, and therefore water must be changed frequently.
- CONSTIPATION
This disease is mainly caused by overfeeding. The fish will look swollen and lethargic. One of the signs is loss of appetite. This can be avoided by feeding the right diet and in correct amount.
- DEPRESSION
Just like human beings, the crown tail Betta gets stressed. Some of the signs include appetite loss, irregular swimming patterns, faded colors, and stress stripes. Depression might not kill the fish, but it makes them more prone to other diseases.
FAQS
Are the crown tail Betta fish freshwater fish?
Yes, they are freshwater fish that originates from Southeast Asia. They prefer living in standing water of canals, floodplains, ponds, rice paddles, and slow-moving streams in the wild.
Is crown tail Betta a fin Nipper?
This species does not nip fins in particular, but they are prone to biting all over. They will bite and thrash at any other fish they feel they are encroaching on their territory. They will also attack both small fish or even bigger ones that seem to be encroaching their territory.
Can you put crown tail Bettas together?
As an aquarist, you should never put two male crown tail Bettas in the same tank. They are highly aggressive and territorial, and they will end up fighting until death. The male and female can be put in one tank but for breeding purposes.
How big do male crown tail Bettas get?
The average size of the crown tail Bettas is 3 inches at full maturity. The males being generally bigger compared to the females, they will reach the 3 inches size. The females are smaller, and the average size is 2.5 inches in length.
CONCLUSION
There is a reason why the crown tail Bettas are popular among the aquarist. One of the reasons is because they come with vibrant colors that are beautiful for an aquarium. They are also easy to take care of and affordable to acquire. The only disadvantage is the fact that they are very aggressive. However, this is not a disadvantage in its entirety since some of the aquarists find that behavior attractive. They love having their spaces, and that is why they are very territorial.
They do not require a lot of effort to feed them, and this means they are manageable by both beginners and experienced aquarists. It is our hope that this guide has provided all the necessary information about all you need to do when taking care of your crown tail Bettas. You should consider having one in your tank.
