Halfmoon Betta is a name that is self-explanatory. The tail is large, forming a half-circle that resembles the shape of a half-moon. This species is only found in captivity and is not found in the wild. Halfmoon Bettas are frequently produced by professionals for use in Betta exhibits. The Halfmoon Betta was first produced in the 1980s, and it didn’t take long for it to make its way to Europe, where it quickly became popular. These fish are more difficult to reproduce and have more aggressive behavior.
Contents
Overview
Betta fish come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including Plakats, Samurai, Metallic, Mustard Gas, Half Moon, and many others. But what exactly do all of these terms imply? Are there some that are more precious than the rest? Do they all have different needs in terms of care? A betta with a halfmoon tail is known as a Halfmoon betta. They are available in a variety of colors and patterns, including Samurai and Mustard Gas. Regardless of colour, the Halfmoon is one of the most popular betta species. Halfmoon bettas have two different tail kinds, and despite the fact that their tail is their only distinguishing feature from other bettas, they do require specific attention. The tail type definition, Plakats vs long-tailed halfmoons, deltas, species, care, size, and availability will all be covered in this article.
How big do Halfmoon Betta get?
What is the size of the half moon betta? Adult Half Moon Bettas tend a body length of over 2 inches and a tail length of somewhat more than 3 inches. Plakats are often slightly smaller due to their tails, however their bodies might be shorter as well. Plakats are often slightly smaller due to their tails, however their bodies might be shorter as well. This is the normal size for splendens, however if you obtain a Half Moon King Betta, they may grow to be somewhat larger, since they are a more recent hybrid of splendens and raja, with raja being a larger species. Despite their greater size, the long-finned bettas may still fit into a smaller area than the plakats. This is analogous to the demand for at least 150 gallons of water for normal goldfish, but just 30 gallons for fancy goldfish, which are malformed and slower.
How old will a Half moon betta become?
With appropriate care, half moon Betta fish may live for two to four years.
Are Halfmoon betta agressive?
There are two betta splendens in the tank. Domesticated and wild. We’re talking about tamed animals here. Halfmoon bettas can be more aggressive than veil tails, although this varies from fish to fish. Agression is entirely dependent on the individual, however purchasing a plakat that has been specifically bred for fighting by the breeder (select your breeders wisely) will result in greater aggression. Any betta from a shop or a regular betta farm might have more aggression than another; simply put, all bettas have aggression. Some people simply have a shorter fuse. Any single betta has the ability to be fantastic with a group of fish, or to butcher them.
There are a few more things to consider now.With the exception of a plakat, a female betta will be more hazardous than a similarly aggressive male. Females are larger, have shorter fins, and are quicker and more agile. Of fact, PK and HMPK have shortfinned for the goal of fighting quickly and dangerously, thus an aggressive Pk vs an equally aggressive VT will usually result in a dead VT, simply because the plakat can move quicker and has a stronger body structure.
Type of Tail
A Half Moon betta’s characteristic tail type is a long, rounded tail that extends to a perfect 180 degrees when the fish is angry or showing off. Flare is the most effective technique to check betta’s tail rotation. The betta’s tail will fully stretch after it has flared, and you may photograph it to see how much it extends. An over half moon, abbreviated OHM, occurs when the tail extends beyond 180 degrees. The betta will typically be a delta if the tail is shorter than 180 degrees, however depending on the length and expansion, you may also have a veil tail. Other tail varieties, including as crown tails, comb tails, rose tails, and feather tails, can have 180-degree tails, but this is uncommon, and they are not known as half-moon bettas. They’re just known as the other identifying tail kind. Feather tail bettas, for example, have “fluffy”-looking tails that, despite their ability to stretch to 180 degrees, are distinguished by their distinctive tail characteristics.
Long Tailed Half Moons vs. Plakat
Plakats and long-tailed bettas can also have the halfmoon appearance. A plakat is a betta with an extremely small tail fin, which only pertains to male bettas because female bettas always have short fins. Male and female plakat bettas are frequently mistaken because to their identical fins. Most pet store staff designate a fish male or female based on the length of the tail fins, ignoring the ventral fins, which leads to errors. A half moon plakat is the finest plakat. A plakat that does not attain a complete 180 degrees does not have a well-known particular name, but these are significantly less valuable. Long finned bettas with fins that are above 180 degrees are known as over half moons, whereas those with fins that are under 180 degrees are known as deltas. Long-finned bettas rarely show their entire fins unless they are flaring, and they frequently appear weighed down and uncomfortable, whereas plakat fins are more even and do not obstruct their movements. The Half Moon betta is not intrinsically less valuable than the deltas and super deltas. The quality of their coloring and general health are the most important factors in determining the price of a Half Moon or a Delta.
Half Moon Deltas
A delta is a betta fish that does not have a veil tail, rose tail, comb tail, crown tail, or feather tail and has a tail spread of less than 180 degrees. Any betta that fulfills all of the above criteria is known to as a delta tail, but if it is extremely near to a 180 degree tail spread, it is referred to as a super delta. This betta is more frequently mistaken for a Half Moon than any other betta.
Species of Half Moon
Despite their many names and kinds, all of these bettas belong to the same species: Splendens. Betta is a genus that has seventy-three distinct species. Only a few other animals have been tamed sufficiently to develop a variety of tail forms, and they are few and far between. Betta imbellis, for example, has been domesticated for several decades, but there are only two tail options: regular tail or spade tail. The regular tail resembles that of a low-quality plakat, while the spade tail is almost same, except that it terminates in a point. All of these fish have the same coloring, with very little variation.
There is a grading scheme based on color vibrancy, however there aren’t hundreds of distinct color kinds to choose from, and a Mustard Gas imbellis is unlikely. The domesticated betta, on the other hand, is not pure splendens, but rather a hybrid of splendens, imbellis, and smaragdina. All of the varied colorations and tail forms are the result of cross-breeding between these species. As a result, the pure splendens species, like imbellis, has a relatively limited selection. Domesticated hybrids are the only ones capable of offering such a diverse range of choices, which is why they are so popular.
Basic of Half Moon Betta Care
The plakat halfmoon betta and the long fin Half Moon betta have relatively similar care requirements as other betta fish, however there is a difference between the two. Half Moon betta fish, like any other betta, require water that is heated to between 78 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. They require a filter and a completely cycled tank, which means you have enough established bacteria to convert ammonia to nitrates in less than 24 hours, which takes approximately a month. They also require a range of meals, including frozen brine shrimp, daphnia, blood worms, ants, soldier fly larvae, black worms, white worms, grindal worms, and others, as well as two basic foods and numerous treat foods.
Half moon Diet: Betta fish eat a variety of foods.
Betta fish are carnivorous fish that eat other fish. They seek insects, larvae, and insect eggs from the water’s surface in the wild. As a result, your betta should be fed a fish meal that is high in meat and protein. Be aware that several common tropical fish flakes are incompatible with the diet of betta fish. If your betta lives in a tank with other fish, you’ll need to consider their diets as well.
What Should You Feed Your Betta?
It may seem self-evident, but a betta fish-specific pellet is typically the best option. Check the components to make sure the fish food you have matches the demands of your carnivorous betta fish. The initial few components should be meat-based, with a protein content of 40% or more overall.
Betta fish are carnivorous fish. They thrive also on meat, which includes:
- bloodworms
- mosquito larvae
- shrimp that has been dried
- live brine shrimp
How often should a betta fish be fed?
A betta fish should be fed two modest meals each day. It’s ideal to feed them twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. Making these feeds around 12 hours apart and at the same time each day will help you and your betta establish a pattern. Every 10-14 days, some owners choose to fast their betta fish for 24 hours. This fasting day aids in the prevention of constipation.
How much should your betta fish be fed?
It should be enough to eat 2-3 medium-sized pellets in the morning and 2-3 pellets at night. Take cautious not to overfeed! This is a typical error that can cause bloating in your betta fish, which can lead to significant health issues. Keep in mind that a betta fish’s stomach is about the same size as its eye, making it very simple to overfeed them. Don’t be fooled by your betta’s voracious hunger; they can devour the entire pack if you tip it in. They may appear to be hungry for more, but be careful not to overfeed them. Putting too much food in your tank might have additional negative consequences, like as polluting the water and making your tank unclean.
Can you train your betta fish?
Betta fish have a high level of intelligence for a fish, which contributes to its appeal. In terms of fish that can be trained, they are also one of the best options. While most trainable fish can only be taught via repetition, betta fish may also be taught using voice instructions. Your betta fish will learn to link an action with a word or a short series of words if you repeat a word or a short series of words with an accompanying action. While kids will just hear random noises instead of words at first, they will quickly realize that those noises have significance. Bettas, for example, cannot learn that their names are intended for them, as previously stated. This isn’t to say that training a betta to come when called is impossible.
Simply calling your betta’s name a few times while feeding them will cause them to link the sounds that make up their name with food. You may fool your betta into believing it’s chow time everytime their name is spoken in this way, causing them to hurry over when you call. Bettas have long memories, lasting many months, so you won’t have to retrain them after they’ve learned to link their name with food.
Betta Fish Tank Setup & Maintenance
Bettas are extremely sensitive to changes in their environment. It’s possible that your betta will thrive in a little fishbowl. This isn’t correct. Betta fish that have enough of space enjoy longer and happier lives. Bettas may cohabit with other fish, but a male should never reside with another male because they will fight.
Aquarium conditions that are ideal
Tank Size & and setup
- A minimum of five gallons (19 liters).
- Temperatures should range from 73 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit (23 to 27 degrees Celsius).
- Filter is to be of the under-gravel kind and has a control that may be adjusted.
- Use Heater to maintain the water at 76 degrees Fahrenheit.
- To prevent cutting the betta’s fins, real or silk plants are ideal.
- Rocks: As long as the lava rocks are not sharp, they function nicely. The porous surfaces of the granite will support the growth of beneficial microorganisms.
- Decor: Make sure there’s some place large enough for your betta to hide in when they need to.
The tank size needed for the Long Tailed Half Moons and the Plakat are different. Long Tailed Half Moons probably have a lot of trouble getting about and aren’t as active as their plakat counterparts. Half Moon bettas with long fins can survive in a 3 gallon tank, but plakats are much more active and are not pulled down by long fins, thus they require at least 5 gallons, with 10 being preferable.
Getting Your Halfmoon Betta Used to a New Tank
Prepare their tank when you bring your betta home from the store (or when you receive it in the mail).
- Allow at least 24 hours before adding your new fish to the aquarium. Add a simple water conditioner to the mix (follow the directions on the bottle). By the time you introduce your fish, the water should be de-chlorinated and at the proper temperature.
- Keep your betta in its original container or put it in a container. Pour roughly 1/4 of the water in the container out slowly and replace it with tank water.
- Repeat steps 3–5–10 minutes later, but this time remove a little more water.
- Do this three times in a 5–10 minute period.
- Finally, release your betta into its new tank using a net.
Fish meal that is composed of flesh should be sought for.
Cleanliness in the Tank
- Get yourself a test kit. If the test results reveal excessive levels of ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate, increase the water change to get the levels back to zero.
- Vacuum the gravel at least once a week (with a special aquarium vacuum).
- If you don’t already have a filter, you should acquire one. In the meanwhile, every other day, change 25% of the water.
- A lot of the “dirt” that forms in a fish tank is invisible. This includes compounds like ammonia, which may quickly accumulate. A good water conditioner that eliminates heavy metals, chorine, and chloramines is essential.
- Keeping this in mind, if you have a filter, cleaning the tank once a week should enough. This does not imply that you must replace all of the water in your tank. To decrease the risk of your fish being shocked, only do a 50% water change.
- Some bettas like jumping and can leap from their aquariums with ease. Keep a lid on their aquarium if this is your fish!
Sign that tell you hat your Half moon fish is healthy
- Color that is bright and brilliant.
- Gliding, smooth motions
- There are no drooping tails or fins.
- Appetite that is healthy.
- The surface is smooth, clean, and blemish-free.
How do I get myself a halfmoon betta?
Fortunately, because of its popularity, this lovely fish is readily accessible and frequently inexpensive, depending on the colour. The Half Moon market, unlike the veil tail, isn’t completely saturated yet, so there’s still plenty of variation and turnover.
Half Moon plakats are slightly less frequent than Half Moon long finned bettas, but they are still very common. However, you should be aware that the majority of bettas called Half Moons in pet stores are actually Deltas, so double-check before purchasing your fish. To summarize, Half Moon betta fish are betta fish with a tail that can stretch exactly 180 degrees, hence the name. They come in a variety of colors and sizes, as well as short and long tails. Their care is identical to that of other bettas, with the exception that the shorter-tailed variety requires a bigger dwelling space.
Why Do Half Moon Betta Fish Fight?
Whether you’ve had betta fish all your life or are just getting started, you’ll wonder or be asked why they fight at some time.
There are a variety of reasons why these ferocious fish attack one another, but the history of betta fish aggression stretches back millennia. In the 1800s, Southeast Asia was the first place where Bettas were found. Those laboring in the fields transported them from their native home in rice paddies and puddles to nearby cities.
Because of the betta fish’s ferocity, keepers began battling them, wagering on matches, and breeding them for enhanced violence. Because matches had become so popular, the King of Siam decided to control them by levying a charge on them. This hereditary aggressiveness is still present in today’s world.
What Causes Male Bettas to Fight?
Male betta fish battle each other because of their fierce territoriality. When it’s not dry season, bettas have kilometers of rivers and paddies to swim across in the wild. When one male approaches the territory of another, the two may display aggressiveness, but a battle is unlikely because there is plenty of opportunity to flee. The two male bettas would fan out their fins and blow up their gills (flaring) during a battle to make themselves appear twice as big. This act is performed in order to intimidate and frighten the opponent. If that fails, they’ll nip at each other until one of them gives up. It’s cruel to keep them together in a tank with no vegetation or other places to hide. NEVER place two guys in the same room without a wall between them and obscuring their view. Male bettas will battle over food as well. In captivity, betta fish will consume as much as you can feed them. However, in the wild, they must either discover or hunt for food to survive. When two males join together in certain situations, there is no pack mentality, only a drive to survive. To safeguard their nests and eggs, males would battle with other. When a male betta is ready to mate, he will create a bubble nest by blowing a cluster of bubbles on the water’s surface. He’ll wait for a girl to come by and recognize his masterpiece once it’s finished. Any harm to his prospects of conceiving a child will arouse his protective instincts.
When Betta Fish Fight, How Long Do They Fight?
If two male bettas meet in the wild, they will both fan out their fins and blow up their gills to make themselves appear as huge as possible. If that doesn’t deter one of them, they’ll nip at each other until one of them decides to flee. A betta fish battle might continue a few minutes or terminate abruptly in most situations.
Fights between bettas that have been carefully bred for aggression can last much longer and generally end with one betta being severely wounded or killed. This is animal cruelty, and it should never be performed in captivity.
Debunking the Myth Of Half Moon Fighting
Betta fish aren’t always willing to battle to the death. Unless they’ve been carefully bred for aggression or are stuck in a small tank with nowhere for the less dominant betta to hide, they won’t even get near to that point. This is especially true with betta splendens, the most often marketed betta as a pet.
Bettas nibble and thrash around, causing damage to their opponents’ scales, gills, and tails. However, such injuries, along with illnesses brought on by stress, might kill a betta following a battle. Making betta fish fight on purpose is cruel.
Do Female Bettas Get Into Fights?
Females are less aggressive than males, although they can still be territorial and fight each other. They may live happily in sororities, or groups of female betta fish. In a sorority, females will typically be hostile against other females for a short time until a natural pecking order is established.
In a 20-gallon tank with nine female betta fish, for example, one will establish herself as the alpha, and the others will bow to her and create their own smaller packs. They will most likely coexist happily if no additional betta fish are introduced, upsetting the ecology.
It’s best to have numerous ladies in a sorority and enough of room for them when starting one. A sorority must have a minimum of 4-5 female members. Some women may still be too violent to be in a sorority. Larger habitats are preferable since they provide each betta adequate area to establish her own territory. Betta fish have a secure place to hide from bullies and release tension thanks to dense vegetation and hideouts. A guy should never be added to a sorority tank.
What Causes Males and Females to Fight?
Male and female betta fish will also engage in combat. They should only be kept together during mating and then separated as soon as possible. Because it’s usual for females to consume the eggs during spawning, a male will chase them away and protect himself. Males are responsible for laying the eggs in the nest and caring for them until they hatch. They will go to any length to safeguard their children. Males and females fight for the same reasons, with males fighting other males and females fighting other females. They are territorial fighting fish that do not get along with one another.
Do Bettas Get Into Fights With Other Fish?
Because of their territorial aggressiveness, male and female betta fish are generally housed in tiny containers at pet stores. These makeshift enclosures are designed to keep them separate from one another and other fish. Every betta fish has a unique personality and aggressiveness level. With the proper care, they are also quite willing to live on their own.
Bettas may fight other fish under these conditions
- the tank is too small for a community ecosystem
- The other fish is also abrasive.
- For a communal tank with other fish species, tanks less than 10 gallons should be avoided. You must offer adequate room for everyone to live comfortably without causing annoyance or congestion.
- there aren’t enough hiding places
- the other fish looks like a betta fish
- the other fish is brilliantly colored
- the other fish has long fins
- the tank is too tiny for a community environment
Do Half Moon Betta Fish Listen To Music ?
“Does my little friend like my music?” a pet owner will ask themselves at some time in their lives. While Betta fish have superb hearing and have ears, the water reduces the efficiency of their sense of hearing, they can listen to sounds outside of their tank, such as music or voices. However, if they are too close to loud noises with high vibrations, you may inadvertently harm your fish. We’ll talk about ears, music, excessive vibrations, teaching your fish, and recognizing their owner in this post. Similarly, despite having a good sense of hearing, betta fish find it difficult to hear everything that happens outside of their aquarium. Despite this, your betta may be able to identify some of the words and phrases you say, though they are unlikely to remember their names.
Some people say their betta fish reacts to music
On the other hand, anecdotal data suggests that bettas prefer one style of music over another. While we can’t say whether they like or dislike music, betta fish definitely have reactions to it. Some people will react negatively to particular genres of music, while others will swim more frequently, become more aggressive, and remain more motionless and quiet than usual. As one might anticipate from such an educated and likable animal, genre tastes appear to vary from fish to fish. However, certain genres of music will irritate all bettas, particularly ones with a lot of bass or very loud portions. Anyone, even your fish, can be startled by sudden loud noises. Betta will be stressed by every loud beat since they don’t comprehend rhythm and can’t anticipate a beat drop. They can detect noises outside of aquariums, whether it’s music or their owners’ voices, but it doesn’t imply they can listen to anything passively. As previously stated, some sounds, particularly loud ones or ones that create excessive vibrations, can be quite hazardous to your fish.
Do Half Moon Betta Fish Recognize and Interact With Their Owners?
Surprisingly, research has shown that fish can recognize their owner’s face even when the person is standing near the tank with other people.
Fish may form an attachment to something they enjoy, being fed, and the person who feeds them. The more you engage with your betta fish, the more probable it is that they will know you. When an owner approaches a betta fish, it is usual for it to swim to the front of the tank. This can be in anticipation of getting fed, but they may also seek out their owner because they are curious about what will happen next. They do react more strongly to their owner’s voice than to other sounds, which might be due to their just knowing their owner’s better. Because they react to sounds rather than whole words, they may not identify the same word when it is said by numerous persons.
Given their great intellect, excellent memory, and capacity to identify their owners’ faces, they are likely to recall their owners’ voices as well. Their sense of hearing has not received as much attention as their sense of sight, but we may soon have clear answers.
To summarize, betta fish can hear through their ears, despite the fact that their ears are not visible to the outside world.
It is currently impossible to determine if bettas enjoy or detest music, or, if they do, which genres they like.
Betta Fish Forming Bonds With Their Owner
Betta fish may not “love” its owners in the same way that a dog or cat would, but they will clearly demonstrate an interest in and association with them.
Bettas are also known to have excellent memory and may recall individuals even after being separated from them for several weeks or longer.