Did you know that Crowntail Betta is one of the most popular pet fish species in the world? The Crowntail Betta is a stunningly beautiful fish. It’s easily accessible at most pet shops. They’re popular among collectors and aquarists of all skill levels because of the vast range of hues available.

Crowntails are a subspecies of the Betta splendens and are commonly know as behavioral term of the Siamese fighting fish. These magnificent tropical fish are quite easy to care for, as long as you provide them with a well-balanced, nutritious feed, proper tank conditions, and acceptable tankmates or alone. But if you want to own one, you should be aware that they come with their own set of challenges that you must be prepared for.

The fish’s ancestors are said to have originated in Thailand (formerly Siam) and other regions of South-East Asia (e.g. Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia). They are well-known for its gorgeous, and often colorful, ray-finned caudal, as well as their aggressive temperament, which can make keeping them as a beginning difficult.

It’s one of the most popular tiny freshwater fish in the United States for one reason: its stunning caudal fins! We cover all you need to know about caring for and reproducing Crowntail bettas in this article. Continue reading to discover about their behavior, care requirements, nutrition requirements, optimal tank conditions, and tank mates. If you’re short on time, have a look at the facts summary table below for a fast overview of Crowntail Bettas.

Crowntail Betta Overview

The Crowntail Betta, which is native to Southeast Asia’s small rivers and rice terraces, is one of the world’s most popular pet fish species! It’s easily accessible at most pet shops. They’re popular among collectors and aquarists of all skill levels because of the vast range of hues available.

There are several varieties of “Siamese Fighting Fish” available. The Crowntail, on the other hand, is the most common. As a result, many people just refer to them as “Bettas.” You may also find them offered under the Betta species’ full scientific name, Betta splendens.

Whatever you choose to name them, there’s no doubting that these fish are stunning! They do, however, have a reputation for being aggressive. As a result, if you don’t know what you’re in for, they might be difficult to care for.

They are noted for their aggressive attitude and distinctive fin features, particularly their massive caudal fin. With its brilliant red and blue caudal fin and massive fin extensions, a male Crowntail Betta may become the focal point of any modest home aquarium.

This fish is ideal for beginner fish keepers; nevertheless, it is recommended that you have two years of expertise if you want to add tank mates. The Crowntail is native to Thailand and other regions of South-East Asia (Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia), where it got its name from its visible spiky tail and caudal fins. Achmad Yusuf, an Indonesian betta breeder, first developed this distinctive caudal fin in 1997. The fin features of the native wild progenitors were smaller and the fin colors were less vivid. Expect your Crowntail Betta to grow to a maximum length of 3”, more probably 2.5”. A Crowntail Betta has a typical lifetime for a tiny tropical freshwater fish, lasting 2-3 years. Expect to pay between $5 to $30 for your Crowntail, depending on its size.

Crowntail Betta Facts

• Care level: Requires moderate to high level of care
• Family: Gourami
• Compatibility: Aggressive
• Temperament: Especially Aggressive
• Diet: Carnivorous Size: 3″ (High protein)
• Appearence: Multiple color forms; generally blue and red
• Lifespan: Life expectancy is 2-3 years
• Minimum Tank Capacity: 5 Gallons
• Setup of the tank: Floating Water Plants in Freshwater

The Crowntail Betta Lifespan

The average lifespan of a Crowntail Betta is two to three years.  These aren’t the industry’s longest-living fish.  However, when it comes to lifetime, there are no promises.  They can live a little longer with adequate care, or they might die young due to sickness or stress.
The level of care you offer is really important, so be alert and devoted if you want your fish to live as long as possible!

Origins of Crowntail Betta

Crowntail Betta splendens is a captive-bred variation of the wild Placat Betta, often known as the Siamese Fighting fish.
Placats are tiny, stocky fish that were developed to be particularly aggressive toward their own species for the “sport” of fish fighting.
Bettas may be found throughout Southeast Asia, particularly in the Malayan peninsula, the Mekong Basin, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia. The fish graze on insect larvae and water-bound insects in slow-moving or stagnant waterways, such as rice paddies, canals, shallow streams, and tiny ponds.

The Betta is now classified as a “Vulnerable” species on the IUCN Red List. Unfortunately, the actual amount of the wild Betta splendens population decline is unknown, although much of its known habitat has been transformed for industrial-scale farming, resulting in river deterioration and pollution, particularly in central Thailand. Genetic degradation caused by hybrid, farmed versions of the species that have been released into the wild and are allowed to mate with wild fish poses another threat to the native Betta population. Sex, color brilliance, and dealer repute are all important considerations.
History of the Crowntail Betta The Crowntail Betta is a subspecies of the Betta splendens. These fish do not exist in the wild since they were designed and raised in captivity particularly for the hobby and for display.
Crowntails were originally created in 1997 by the Indonesian breeder Achmad Yusuf, whose first fish was named “Cupang Serit.”
Crowntails, like other male betta fish, are notorious for being extremely aggressive with other male Siamese Fighting fish and other brilliantly colored kinds of fish with long flowing fins. A Crowntail will fight his own reflection if he believes it is another male in his area.

Crowntail Betta’s Appearance

Despite being not more than 20 years old as a species, the Crowntail Betta is well-known for its colorful tail fin. Their caudal fin has enormous extensions and may grow to reach 8 inches in diameter, which is three times the size of its body! What’s especially striking is the Crowntail’s caudal fin’s drastically decreased webbing, which gives it a crown-like look. The Crowntail’s spiky distinct points on their fins give them a crown-like look. When completely developed, it should reach a height of 2.5 inches, however some can reach a height of 3 inches.

Crowntail Bettas are similar in form to other Betta fish. The body is long and thin. It has a very consistent shape, tapering down to a point at the mouth. Bettas’ mouths are supra-terminal, which means they are upturned and movable. The gill plate is located just behind the skull. The gills are usually smooth and flat against the body. But don’t be shocked if the fish’s gills flare out when it becomes furious or territorial! The fish do this to make themselves appear bigger and more threatening.

Of course, the most distinguishing feature of Crowntail Bettas is their fins! Males have a large caudal fin that can be three times the size of the body. It spreads out and seems to link to the anal and dorsal fins. The anal fin is fairly broad in comparison to other fish of its size, adding to the drama. The dorsal fin is narrower. But it’s just as lovely. Dorsal fins are often placed further back on the back to provide bulk to the tailfin.

So, what distinguishes Crowntail Bettas from other species? It ultimately boils down to the webbing that connects the fin rays. Crowntails have less webbing, resulting in a distinct distinction between each fin. The fins have a spiky or crown-like appearance, thus the colorful name. Male Crowntail Bettas have long, flowing fins, as they usually do. Females have substantially shorter fins. However, they retain some length and the distinctive spiky appearance.

The Crowntail Betta fish comes in a wide range of colors. Most have a broad and bright color range, making them some of the most colorful fish available. You could witness fish with brilliant blue, vibrant crimson, and deep purple splashes. Subtle hues of green and gold shimmer are also typical. While they appear in a rainbow of hues, the most noticeable ones are dark tones of blues and reds. The Crowntail Betta is one of several bettas that have been developed to have a wide range of caudal fins.

• Red Betta
• Delta and Super Delta
• Spade Tail
• Veil Tail
• Half-Moon
• Rose Tail

Each of these Bettas has a different look.

Behavior Patterns

Crowntail Bettas are bullies. This is a reality that can’t be refuted! By nature, these fish are fighters that go on with whatever mean they have. Any fish in their way will be ripped apart, bit, and shoved. Crowntail Bettas are territorial and detest being near other fish. Two Crowntail Bettas have a face-to-face encounter. They dislike fish that are similar in size to themselves much more. The fins of these fish will flap in an effort to scare you. Before you know it, they’ll start thrashing and biting until their ostensible foes are dead. They will fight both their own species and any other fish that crosses their path. Males and females can get along at times. Nonetheless, there are always risks.

Understanding Crowntail Bettas behaviour

To comprehend the way they behave, you it’s good to first comprehend the history of their forefathers. Bettas, commonly known as Siamese fighting fish, are the source of Crowntail Bettas. They’re called Siamese because they’re from Siam (now Thailand), and fighting fish because they used to fight! Wild bettas, also known as plakats, are ripping and biting fish that were bred for their fighting abilities. South Asians used to catch Siamese fighting fish from rice paddies as a pastime and then compete in fish battles. All bettas, including the Crowntail, have developed aggressive behavioral tendencies as a result of this hobby.

The Crowntail Betta is an aggressive species that commonly exhibits dominance, aggressiveness, and territorial tendencies in its behavior. They like to live alone and have a vast territorial territory. Bettas can have tank mates, despite their aggressive nature; for more information, see the tank mates section.

Feeding and Dietary Requirements

One of the most crucial aspects of Crowntail Betta care is providing a healthy food, although this is not always simple. These fish may be fussy about what they eat! They also have tiny stomachs that may fill very rapidly. Because of its voracious hunger, this species is prone to constipation and overeating.

Crowntails are carnivorous fish that need a high-protein diet to survive. It’s ideal to feed your fish twice a day, and just give them little pieces that they can finish in a minute or two. Bettas are famously hungry once they find a favorite food source, and given that the Crowntail’s stomach is the same size as his eye, they don’t require a lot of food in one sitting.

So what kinds of foods will they eat?

Bettas eat prefer protein-based foods above anything else. They like pellets, flakes, live, and frozen food, among other things. Actually, Crowntail Betta is a picky eater, so you might have to try a few different brands before finding one that your fish will eat. Bloodworms, mosquito larvae, brine shrimp, blackworms, and wingless fruit flies are all common foods for betta fish.

Overfeeding your fish can lead to bloat, constipation, and dropsy, among other health issues. In addition, uneaten food decomposes, contaminating the water and putting further strain on your filtering system. As a result, most knowledgeable fish keepers advise avoiding feeding your betta fish for one day every week. This permits the digestive system of the fish to process any food that is still flowing through it before adding more.

Constipation

Constipation is a frequent symptom of overfeeding in Crowntails, and it manifests itself in two ways:

• Their eyes are bulging out of their heads
• The body seems to be enlarged.

Overfeeding will cause an improper nitrogen cycle, making your Crowntail fish unwell and eventually causing constipation, which is a big betta death.

Variety in food is usually a good thing for tropical fish.
Live meals, pellets, flakes, and frozen foods are all excellent alternatives… as long as they’re served in moderation. Betta fish are picky eaters, so we’ve put up a list of their favorite snacks, meals, and nutritional foods.

Living Foods

• Wingless Fruit Flies
• White Worms
• Insect Larvae
• Mosquito Larva

Pellets

• Betta pellets (2-3 pellets per feeding session)

Frozen Foods (Best for snacks and treats and not typical meals)

• Blood Worms
• Black Worms
• Black Mosquito Larvae
• Brine Shrimp

Crowntail Bettas are extremely resilient in the wild and will consume almost any food source available to them due to their limited dietary options. In the wild, their usual food consists of worms, mosquitos, larvae, and insects. As with all young fish
you should support a diversified diet high in protein and never restrict fatty amino acids for vivid colors and optimal growth.

Betta Crowntail Breeding

Crowntail Bettas may be bred, but you’ll need a large tank to do it successfully. The unusual spawning procedure cannot take place in a tiny tank. As mentioned in the tank conditions section, you should expect to see clusters of bubbles (i.e. bubble nest) floating on top of the tank if you have a Crowntail Betta. Males will blow bubbles that float to the surface after training the fish with high-protein meals.They cause little bubble clusters to form on the surface. Typically, it’s in the tank’s corners or beneath floating plants.

These are two reason why this is a positive sign:

• It might also mean that your betta is getting ready to reproduce.
• It might mean that your fish is in good health.

Their breeding method is one-of-a-kind.

Your male Crowntail Betta will build a bubble nest near the floating plants, which he will fertilize later.
Crowntail bettas are excellent breeding partners. 14 months is the ideal age. Your betta isn’t sexually mature if it’s less than 2 inches long. It is feasible to breed Crowntail Bettas; but, their aggressive behavior in restricted tanks might make the process more difficult. Breeding takes a long time and costs a lot of money! A single spawn of Crowntail Bettas will set you back over $2,000, and it will take a long time to complete. The fish will execute their mating ritual if the female is open to reproducing. The male fertilizes her eggs as she releases them into the sea. After that, the pair will gather them and transport them to the bubble nest for safety.
In approximately two days, the eggs will hatch. The young fish will then live on the egg sac until they are able to swim independently. After that, you can try powdered meals or infusoria.
It goes without saying that adult fish must be removed before the eggs hatch. Otherwise, the infants will rapidly become food.

Crowntail Betta Fish Tank Setup

Now let’s look as some tank requirements when setting up the habitat. The environment is the most important aspect of caring for your Crowntail Betta. Depending on the species you choose to keep as tank mates for your Crowntail, you can select a different tank. If you aren’t planning on introducing tank mates, we recommend starting with a 10 gallon tank. Anything less than a 10 gallon tank will cause your Crowntail to crash often, causing fin damage. If you’re using a 10 gallon tank, make sure to change the water every 2-3 days, but don’t replace all of the water at once because this can kill the beneficial bacteria. Their native environment in South Asia is lush with flora, paddy rice fields, and slow-moving streams that filter the water naturally. When it comes to the water in their aquarium, you should include Indian almond leaves. This will result in a large amount of helpful natural acids being released for your betta. Crowntail Bettas are energetic freshwater species that are also renowned good jumpers. They are so powerful that they may leap from the tank to their deaths. Because of their leaping behavior, you must have a well-fitting cover on your tank. Finally, Crowntails, like other bettas, are labyrinth breathers. This implies that they can get oxygen from both the air and the water. This implies that no aeration systems should be used in your tank. This will help protect your betta’s delicate caudal fins from harm caused by strong tank currents. Next up, let’s have a look at what tank conditions need to be in place:

Tank basics – conditions to aim for

As a freshwater species, the tank conditions for your Crowntail are critical. Within your tank, you should be able to manipulate three factors. You must maintain a pH level of 6.4 to 7.0, a water hardness of 2 to 5 carbonate hardness (dKh), and a water temperature of 76°F to 80°F. When fishing for Crowntails, keep an eye on the water temperature. This is critical since it ensures the betta’s metabolism is correct. Sudden adjustments or moves outside of the recommended range of +- 2°F can be harmful. Keep the tank’s lighting as low as possible. Floating plants are usually a fantastic addition since they help your Crowntail construct a more natural environment with bubble nests. Gravel, fine sand, or a bare bottom are all excellent substrates for bettas. Bettas thrive on sand because it replicates their natural habitat.

What size you the tank be?

Regrettably, it is widely assumed that betta fish may be housed in a vase or small bowl. That’s a very bad idea! Bettas, like any other type of fish, require clean, properly filtered, and warm water to flourish. Ideally, you should maintain your Betta in a tank with at least 10 gallons of water, especially if you want to offer your fish some tankmates to keep him company. Betta fish in the wild occupy a territory of around 3 square feet. As you can see, a bowl or vase would be crowded and unpleasant. Betta fish are members of the gourami family and, as such, are labyrinth breathers.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/MTKZc529tTo
That implies the fish can breathe air from the water’s surface when oxygen levels are low, which can occur during the dry season in the Betta’s natural environment. As a result, you must select a tank with a large surface area. Although the Crowntail Betta has a magnificent tail fin, it may be a significant hindrance when the fish is attempting to swim to the surface to feed or breathe. As a result, it is preferable to go with a shallow, long tank rather than a tall, deep one.
Bettas in the wild are sometimes seen dwelling in puddles, especially during the dry season. As a result, the fish has acquired the capacity to leap, allowing it to migrate as needed. Bettas in captivity may also leap, so pick a tank with a cover slide or a securely fitting lid.

What To Put Inside Their Tank

Betta fish are clever creatures who appreciate an environment that offers plenty of opportunities for exploration and investigation.
Betta aficionados are also aware that these fish may grow bored. Boredom causes tension, which causes the fish to grow drowsy and cease feeding. So, provide lots of lush vegetation for your Betta, including some flat-leaved plants for your fishy companion to relax and hide on. Smooth resin ornaments, like as caverns and hollow, floating logs, are also suitable for use in betta tanks.
The substrate and any decorations used in a betta tank should be soft and smooth so that the Crowntail’s luxuriant finnage is not damaged. Keep the illumination on the dim side. Floating plants are wonderful for filtering light and encouraging your fish to create a bubble nest like he would in the wild. A handful of Indian almond leaves added to the tank might help your Crowntail Betta’s health.

Water conditions – Important for health

To keep your Crowntail healthy, make sure he has the optimum conditions in his tank. The water temperature in the tank should be between 76o and 80o Fahrenheit. That is essential because betta fish are extremely sensitive to temperature changes, and your Crowntail will suffer if there are hot and cold places in his aquarium. Temperature shock is a recognized killer of betta fish, therefore you must pay great attention to this element of the tank environment. Place the heater near the pump outlet so that heat is distributed throughout the tank, assisting in maintaining a consistent temperature throughout the surroundings. Place your tank thermometer at the end of the tank that is farthest away from the heater to check for hot and cold spots. If the temperature displayed by the thermometer remains consistent, you can be sure that the warmth is spread equally throughout the tank. The pH level should be between 6.4 and 7.0, and the water hardness should be between 2 and 5 dKH. Make it a habit to check the levels of ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate in your tank once a week and to change up to 30% of the water.

Tankmates and handling compatibility

Crowntail Betta fish are hostile to other fish. Certainly not what you’d call a friendly neighborhood fish! To avoid aggression, most aquarists keep these fish alone. If you have a large tank, only try to provide tank mates.  Your Crowntail Betta will require plenty of space in order to ignore the other fish in the tank.

The first guideline is to not overcrowd the tank. Bettas like being territorial and having their own area. As a general rule, never mix more than one male Crowntail in a tank with another. They will battle each other as adults until one of them dies. Crowntail Bettas like to live alone; but, if you want to introduce companions and add some variety to your tank, you have a few alternatives. Crowntails will battle any fish that exhibits dominance, aggressiveness, territoriality, or is greater in size.

If you want a lively tank, there are a few suitable tank mate options.  If you notice any aggression when introducing the fish, stop the experiment and separate the fish. Some Crowntail Bettas simply must be left alone!

When you’re searching for compatibility, look for fish species that prefer to swim in a different stratus of the aquarium. Because Crowntails live in the middle and higher layers of your aquarium, we’re seeking for bottom dwellers who are serene and calm:

• Cherry Shrimp
• African Dwarf Frogs
• Neon Tetras and similar tetra types
• Fast-moving Guppies
• Ghost Shrimp

If you’re adding a betta to an existing aquarium, don’t put them in right away. Float a betta cup, or a plastic cup, on top of the tank for 30 minutes with your betta inside. Keep an eye on how it interacts with other fish. If your Crowntail Betta becomes too aggressive (e.g., gill puffing), it should be removed from the tank. Once in the tank, ensure sure the betta isn’t too aggressive with the other fish.

Availability – How to get the Crowntail Betta you want

Crowntail betta fishes are one of the most common Betta splendens variations, and they are simple to produce in captivity. As a result, you can find these fish at most decent fish stores.

If you’re seeking for a really unique coloring in a specimen to breed from, one of the many internet dealer websites may have something suitable. You might also check out the auction site Aquabid.com, where a rare golden betta sold for a record price of $1,500 a few years ago.

However, the average cost of a normal red or blue Crowntail betta ranges from $5 to $30, depending on size, color brightness, sex, and where you get your fish. Remember that, while ordering online has advantages, you will have to pay shipping fees and you will not be able to see your fish “in person” before it comes.

Risk For Common Potential Diseases

Crowntail Bettas are vulnerable to all of the common health issues that affect freshwater fish. They can have parasite infections, bacterial infections, or fungal infections.

They may develop Ich if they are agitated or exposed to a sick fish. Ich is a highly contagious illness characterized by white patches on the body. It is a serious illness, but it is also easily treated with over-the-counter medicines.

Crowntail Betta fish are prone to fin rot as well. This is a one-of-a-kind illness that causes the fins to deteriorate gradually. The tips of the fins may become gray before sloughing off completely. This condition is also curable with the appropriate medicine.

Finally, Crowntail Bettas are reported to have constipation on occasion. If your fish’s bellies expand and they become sluggish, they are constipated. Constipation usually resolves itself after a few of days of mild fasting.

Is a Crowntail Betta right for you?

The Crowntail Betta’s stunning caudal fins will undoubtedly keep you interested as you watch this energetic tiny freshwater tropical fish swim about the tank. While Crowntails are renowned for their dominance and aggressiveness issues, they may get along with tankmates who are calm bottom dwellers. Crowntail Bettas come in a variety of hues, the most common of which are red and blue.
Is your tank home to a Crowntail Betta? Please let us know in the comments section below…