Bettas

Labyrinth fish famous for their dazzling finnage and bold personalities. Beyond the Siamese fighting fish, wild Betta species offer a fascinating window into the genus.

37 species

Tetras Rasboras Cichlids Livebearers Gouramis Catfish Plecos Corydoras Loaches Killifish Barbs Danios Rainbowfish Bettas Discus Shrimp

Akar Betta

Fish

Betta akarensis

A secretive Bornean mouthbrooder that rewards patient, dedicated keepers.

Apollo Betta

Fish

Betta apollon

A wild Thai hillstream betta that thrives in cool, shadowy, soft-water streams.

✨AI

Aurigan Betta

Fish

Betta aurigans

A rare wild betta from a single Indonesian island, full of quiet personality.

Betta

Fish

Betta splendens

The world's most recognizable fighting fish, now bred in countless colors and fin shapes.

Black Dwarf Betta

Fish

Betta persephone

A velvety black pygmy betta from some of the world's most acidic swamps.

Black Imbellis

Fish

Betta siamorientalis

A tiny bubble-nesting betta with a blackish body and vivid red fin details.

Brown's Betta

Fish

Betta brownorum

A jewel of the peat swamps, with a glowing green flank spot unlike any other Betta.

Brunei Beauty

Fish

Betta macrostoma

A rare Bornean beauty that rewards patient, dedicated keepers.

Chukai Betta

Fish

Betta tussyae

A peat-swamp dweller with rich reddish-orange color and a surprisingly peaceful nature.

Clownface Betta

Fish

Betta cracens

A slender, soft-water mouthbrooder that's genuinely rare in the hobby

Dwarf Mouthbrooder

Fish

Betta dimidiata

A tiny forest stream betta with a spade-shaped tail and mouthbrooding dad.

Emerald green betta

Fish

Betta smaragdina

A wild-caught relative of the common betta with iridescent emerald scales and surprising calm.

Fighting Fishes

Fish

Betta sp. "Antutabulungan"

A rarely-seen Bornean mouthbrooder from one of the most species-rich fish genera on Earth.

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Foersch's Mouthbrooder

Fish

Betta foerschi

A shy Bornean mouthbrooder that rewards patient, dedicated keepers.

Giant Betta

Fish

Betta anabatoides

A rare mouthbrooding betta from Borneo's blackwater streams, built for serious collectors.

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Greenthroat Betta

Fish

Betta chloropharynx

A tiny wild betta from blackwater leaf litter pools, with a throat like no other.

Ibanorum Betta

Fish

Betta ibanorum

A blackwater mouthbrooder from Borneo that rewards patient, dedicated keepers.

Java Fightingfish

Fish

Betta picta

A mild-mannered mouthbrooding betta that makes the whole genus look bad by comparison.

Kapuas Betta

Fish

Betta krataios

A tiny mouthbrooding betta from Borneo's blackwater streams, best kept in quiet company.

Krabi Mouth Brooding Betta

Fish

Betta simplex

A rare mouth-brooding betta from Thailand's limestone streams, peaceful by betta standards.

Longfin Betta

Fish

Betta enisae

A mouthbrooding wild betta from Borneo's leaf-littered forest streams.

Mahachai Betta

Fish

Betta mahachaiensis

A nipa palm specialist from coastal Thailand with iridescent blue-green armor.

Mandor

Fish

Betta mandor

A small, secretive Bornean mouthbrooder best kept in quiet, species-focused setups.

One Spot Mouthbrooder

Fish

Betta unimaculata

A mouthbrooding Betta from Borneo that bucks the aggressive stereotype entirely.

Peaceful Betta

Fish

Betta imbellis

The gentler betta. Males can sometimes share a tank if given enough cover.

Penang Betta

Fish

Betta pugnax

A forest stream betta with a gentler side and fascinating mouthbrooding behavior.

Pontian Betta

Fish

Betta pulchra

A secretive peat swamp betta that broods its young in the father's mouth.

Raja Betta

Fish

Betta raja

A wild Sumatran mouthbrooder with dramatic fins and a gentle personality.

Sanggau Betta

Fish

Betta antoni

A soft-water mouthbrooder from Borneo with iridescent blue scales and complex breeding behavior.

Simor Fighter

Fish

Betta simorum

A shy wild betta from Indonesian blackwater that rewards patient, dedicated keepers.

Slender Betta

Fish

Betta bellica

A slender peat swamp betta that rewards patient, thoughtful keepers

Smallfin Fighter

Fish

Betta miniopinna

A tiny, dark peat-swamp Betta with vivid red pelvic fins and a gentle nature.

Snakehead Betta

Fish

Betta channoides

A tiny, peaceful mouthbrooder from Borneo's blackwater forest streams.

Terengganu Betta

Fish

Betta stigmosa

A peaceful hill stream betta with iridescent spots and fascinating mouthbrooding behavior.

Toba betta

Fish

Betta rubra

A tiny peat swamp betta with mouthbrooding surprises and complex social needs.

White-edged Betta

Fish

Betta albimarginata

A tiny, peaceful mouthbrooding betta from Borneo's blackwater forest streams.

Popular strains & varieties

Named color morphs and bred strains across bettas species.

Veiltailstrain of BettaThe Veiltail is what most people picture when they think 'betta' — long, asymmetrical caudal fin that droops and flows downward in a sweeping arc, with similarly elongated dorsal and anal fins. Coloration varies wildly since this is the oldest and most commercially bred fin type. Easy to find and inexpensive, but quality varies enormously; avoid fish with clamped or frayed fins at the store. Males can be prone to fin-biting if kept in barren tanks. Despite being considered 'common,' a healthy, fully-opened Veiltail in peak color is genuinely striking. A great beginner betta.Crowntailstrain of BettaCrowntails are unmistakable: the webbing between fin rays is reduced by 2/3 or more, leaving dramatic spiky extensions that radiate outward like a crown or starburst. The rays themselves can be single, double, or cross-ray — cross-ray being the most elaborate and prized. Fin edges should be crisp and symmetrical; ragged tips are a red flag for poor genetics or early fin rot. Crowntails are slower to develop full finnage than other types, so young fish can look underwhelming. Buy from a reputable breeder rather than big-box stores to get clean ray structure.Halfmoonstrain of BettaThe gold standard of fancy bettas for many hobbyists — the caudal fin spreads a full 180 degrees when flared, forming a perfect D-shape or half-circle. Dorsal and anal fins should be large, stiff, and proportional. Look for clean, straight edges with no 'rounding' that drops the spread below 180°. Halfmoons are structurally demanding fish; the finnage can tear easily on sharp decor, and fin rot is a real risk. They're also prone to lethargy — that huge fin is heavy. Keep flow low, temp stable, and water pristine. A well-bred Halfmoon is a showstopper.Plakatstrain of BettaShort-finned and built for action — the Plakat is the closest domestic betta to its wild fighting ancestors. Caudal fin is rounded and compact, typically no more than 180° of spread and often much less; anal and dorsal fins are proportionally smaller than other fancy types. What they lack in flowing finnage they make up for in vigor, faster swimming, and significantly better fin integrity. Plakats are less prone to fin rot and tail-biting, making them excellent for planted tanks with moderate flow. They're also more active and often more aggressive than long-finned varieties. Highly recommended for keepers who want a hardy, lively fish.Double Tailstrain of BettaThe Double Tail carries a genetic mutation that splits the caudal fin into two distinct lobes, giving the fish an almost symmetrical, butterfly-like profile from behind. The same mutation typically produces a broader, deeper body and a wider dorsal fin — often the widest of any betta type. This body shape is a double-edged sword: the expanded dorsal is gorgeous, but the short, wide body makes Double Tails prone to swim bladder issues and constipation. Feed sparingly, vary the diet, and avoid overfeeding. The Double Tail gene is also commonly used in breeding programs to widen finnage in other varieties.Rose Tailstrain of BettaA Rosetail is essentially an over-bred Halfmoon — the caudal fin has so many branching rays that the edges ruffle and overlap like rose petals, giving a lush, layered appearance. It sounds beautiful, and photographically it often is, but that excessive finnage frequently folds back on itself and is extremely prone to tearing and fin rot. Many serious breeders consider the Rosetail a fault rather than a feature because the structural integrity of the fin is compromised. If you keep one, pristine water quality and minimal sharp decor are non-negotiable. Best appreciated by hobbyists who understand the maintenance commitment.Feathertailstrain of BettaThe Feathertail takes excessive ray branching even further than the Rosetail, with fins so heavily subdivided and frilled they resemble delicate feathers or lace. The visual effect is ethereal, but the fins are structurally fragile to the point of being almost impractical — even minor water quality lapses can trigger rapid fin deterioration. This variety requires an experienced keeper: pristine, stable water, very gentle filtration, and a near-bare or smooth-only decor setup. Not recommended as a first betta. If you're up for the challenge, a Feathertail in peak condition is one of the most visually unusual fish in the hobby.Deltastrain of BettaThe Delta Tail has a caudal fin that fans out in a triangular or wedge shape — wider at the trailing edge than at the base — but spreads less than 180°, typically between 120° and 160°. It's a step between a Veiltail and a Halfmoon in structural terms. Edges should be straight and clean, not rounded or jagged. Deltas are more structurally sound than Halfmoons, with a good balance between visual impact and fin durability. A nice mid-tier choice for hobbyists who want a showy fish without the extreme maintenance demands of a Halfmoon or Rosetail.Super Deltastrain of BettaA Super Delta spreads its caudal fin between 160° and just under 180°, putting it right on the doorstep of Halfmoon qualification. Edges should be crisp and straight, and the distinction from a true Halfmoon often comes down to judge's-eye or a degree or two of spread when fully flared. In practical terms, Super Deltas are slightly hardier than Halfmoons with similarly impressive finnage. For the home hobbyist, the difference is mostly academic — but if you're buying for show purposes, understand you may need to upgrade to a confirmed Halfmoon breeder line. Still a stunning fish by any measure.Halfmoon Plakatstrain of BettaThe Halfmoon Plakat — HMPK in hobby shorthand — combines the short, compact body and fins of a Plakat with the 180° caudal spread of a Halfmoon. The result is a fish with full flare and striking symmetry, but without the fragile, trailing finnage of a standard Halfmoon. HMPKs are arguably the most well-rounded fancy betta: they're active, structurally sound, resistant to fin damage, and still achieve a dramatic flare display. They're the dominant variety in competitive betta showing in Thailand and increasingly popular worldwide. If you can only keep one betta, the HMPK is a strong contender.Koistrain of BettaKoi Bettas display patches of red, orange, black, and white arranged in irregular blotches reminiscent of Nishikigoi (ornamental koi carp). The patterning is bold and high-contrast — no subtle gradients, just chunky color fields that shift across the body and fins. Because Koi Bettas typically carry the marble gene, their coloration can change dramatically over their lifetime, which is either exciting or frustrating depending on your perspective. No two fish are identical, and a fish that looks mediocre at purchase may develop stunning pattern over 6–12 months — or vice versa. Buy a fish whose current pattern you love, and treat any future changes as a bonus.Dragon Scalestrain of BettaDragon Scale Bettas have an amplified iridescent scale layer that creates a thick, metallic, armor-like appearance — scales look raised, white to silver-metallic, and catch the light like hammered metal. The base color underneath is often vivid red or blue, creating intense contrast. The dragon gene is visually spectacular but comes with a significant health caveat: scale overgrowth can and does affect the eyes, and many Dragon Scale bettas develop partial or complete blindness as adults. Buy from breeders actively selecting against eye overgrowth. A blind betta can still live comfortably, but it should factor into your decision.Galaxystrain of BettaGalaxy Bettas — sometimes called 'Galaxy Koi' — feature fine iridescent scales scattered across a dark, often blue-black or purple base, resembling a star field. The effect is subtle compared to Dragon Scales: rather than full metallic coverage, it's a constellation of sparkling scales over a rich, dark background. Fins are typically translucent to lightly patterned, which keeps the body the visual focal point. They can be harder to find than Koi or Dragon variants, and quality varies. Look for even distribution of the iridescent scales and a deep, saturated base color rather than washed-out gray.Marblestrain of BettaMarble Bettas carry the famous 'marble gene' — a transposon that causes pigment cells to activate and deactivate unpredictably throughout the fish's life. Colors shift, blotches appear or fade, and a marble betta you bought last year may look almost unrecognizable today. Patterning is typically high-contrast: patches of opaque white, blue, red, or black in irregular, unpredictable arrangements. It's impossible to guarantee what a marble will look like at maturity, which makes them both a fascinating experiment and a poor choice if you want a specific look. Many modern color strains — Koi, Butterfly, and others — trace their patterning back to the marble gene.Samuraistrain of BettaSamurai Bettas are defined by a distinctive two-tone scaling pattern: the body scales have a metallic, often blue-green or copper iridescent center with a contrasting darker edge, creating a precise, tessellated look that evokes lacquered armor. Unlike the blotchy marble or the full-coverage dragon scale, the Samurai effect is structural and orderly — each scale is individually visible and distinctly outlined. Fin coloration is typically a contrasting solid or bi-color. This is a niche variety most commonly found through specialist Thai breeders; mass-market fish labeled 'Samurai' often don't meet the true pattern standard, so buy from a reputable source.

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