One of the famous species of the betta fish is Giant betta, which is known as Betta anabantoids scientifically, and its family is osphronemidae. Due to selective breeding, it is the largest type of fish. Their mature size is 3 to 5 inches, but some grow larger. However, they cannot grow more than 7 inches. They attain maturity until 7 to 8 months, but they grow a lifetime.
However, with good care, they can be healthy and active. They need the same care as the other betta fish require. You must be careful about the condition of their habitat and its cleanliness. However, it does not need to change the water daily, but it must be done regularly.
It is essential to maintain proper water parameters to save them from stress and illness.
Have their colorful fins, tail, body, and giant size inspired you? We are here with detailed information about them, so you will get interesting information about your favorite specie here. It includes their temperament, behavior, health, lifespan, needs, habitat, and many more. Thus, read the article until the end to find the answer to your queries.
The Real Origin of Giant Betta Fish and Their Life Span
This betta species belongs to Thailand but is available in other regions such as Southern Kalimantan, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, and other Asia regions. They are found in fresh and shallow water regions such as slow-moving streams, marshes, stagnant ponds, and rice paddies.
The biggest Betta fish have a short lifespan because they have a weak immune system. Bacterial infection is very common in them, and they die of it. However, if their owner takes care of them in a proper way, then they live for three to five years. It is good to take care of the giant betta in the best way to keep them healthier for a long time.
Actual Appearance and Size
As their name infers itself, the biggest fish species is different from the other bettas. Their size makes them different from other betta fish. Their maximum length reaches a maximum of 7 inches.
They have elongated and slimmer body shape with quite short tails and fins. They boast their color in brown, with the males, have bright colors if we compare them with females. On their skin, they have amazing iridescent dots all over their scales. The most interesting fact about them is that you will notice a color change in their skin when they are stressed.
They quickly develop 3 longitudinal strips along their body trunk. These strips have the transformation into spots when they become frightened extremely.
You will recognize them easily because they are not overly active, laid-back fish. The most beautiful freshwater giant betta fish is a favorite choice of enthusiastic aquarists. Its diverse shades make it more charming than other species.
For most people, their long fins make giant fish a beautiful addition to their home décor. Moreover, giant bettas are low-maintenance as they do not need to change the water daily or quickly. However, they are pretty clean fish, offering more beauty and attraction to your aquarium. They are available in various colors, kinds, and species.
What Are The Behaviors of the Biggest Betta Fish?
They have calm and peaceful nature. It is an interesting thing about them because they belong to the fighter specie. You will notice many things interesting in their behavior when they are in the tank.
For example, if you clamp their jaws shut when they are not eating, you will notice interesting chirping sounds. They do not do this regularly while eating, but this noise is unique. Fish lovers are famous for their playful behavior and colorful scales. They are social and love to live in groups.
However, you should keep females in a separate tank from males. They jiggle their fins to communicate with each other.
Mating Characteristics
Their activities for matting are very interesting. The male bettas build a bubble nest for the eggs during the mating season. They barb their fins to and fro to attract female bettas.
So, the females take their time to examine the nest and its durability. They break it or swim away if they do not find it as per their standards. The male betta chases her and tries to convince her to dance. Sometimes, it becomes more interesting with much biting and dancing because males do not give up until the female gives in.
Once the female is ready, the male betta wraps himself around her midsection and flips her. For fertilization, they squeeze each other with the ventral close. The female lays eggs afterward, and the male scoops them and keeps them for hatching.
Ideal Care Of Giant Betta Fish
The foremost thing you need to do is focus on the tank size. These are very easy to keep in pairs because of their peaceful nature. Moreover, they enjoy their company. Therefore, you need to arrange a twenty-gallon tank, or a thirty-gallon tank can be the best option. You need to take care of the Water PH level.
These are the freshwater fish that need neutral water. However, they can survive in slightly acidic and soft water. It ranges from 4 to 6.
Add live plants, hiding places, stone tunnels, and resting ones for their activities. They tend to be exhausted very soon, so it is good to provide them with hiding places for rest. Furthermore, they need a longer time to rest.
Giant Betta Fish Tank Mates
This largest betta species is calm, so you can keep them with other fish like Rasboras and tetras in the same tank. However, you must not keep male giant bettas with them since they can be violent.
You must consider some factors when it comes to selecting their tank mate. You must ensure their peaceful nature and size are bigger than the giant bettas. Female bettas are friendlier and can dwell with other giant fish of the opposite sex.
Their other tank mates are kuhli loaches, ghost shrimps, and cory catfish.
Fancy guppies are not safe tank mates of giant bettas since they attack males because of their bright colors. On the other hand, gouramis start fighting with them.
It is important to focus on these things when you choose their mates in the Tank. It increases your ease and convenience for a long time.
Ideal Tank Conditions You Should Manage For Giant Betta Fish
- Giant Betta Tank Size
It is important to choose the right tank size for them because size matters a lot. It makes their survival easy and keeps them healthier. They enjoy swimming around freely, so for the best and easy survival, one giant betta needs a five-gallon water tank. Similarly, you need a ten-gallon tank for two fish or an aquarium. If you require to include more fish, you must make a larger aquarium.
Moreover, you should consider one inch of fish per gallon. The eighteen-gallon tank is sufficient if you have three giant fish of six inches. It is not good to fill the tank because fish must come to the surface to gulp air.
- Substrate
You must have the question in your mind of how much substrate is required for a betta tank. Well, it depends; its quantity is based on the tank size. You need to consider it as per inch of the substrate. If you want to root live plants, then two inches will give your plants enough space to spread roots.
You must take care of the substrate while putting it into the tank. Put a garden hose to put water into it. Gravel can be the best option here because it is available in various shades and colors. So, it adds allure to your home decoration.
- Filtration
Giant Betta needs the best water quality to prevent bacterial growth. Due to their weak immune system, they need high-quality water free from bacteria. Moreover, filtered water helps to offer a breeding ground for beneficial bacteria. They turn toxic ammonia into less toxic nitrates.
So, filtration is an essential thing that every fish tank needs. They need regular water filtration to improve the water quality. However, they need low currents to survive, but they need air-powered sponge filters to keep the tank clean. It provides a gentle flow that is good for them.
- Water Parameters
Two factors come under this category. One is the temperature, and the giant betta can tolerate 77 to 86 degrees. The other factor is the PH of the water. These are freshwater fish, and they can be healthier in neutral water. However, this specie bears slightly acidic water, so you can keep them in water with 4 to 6 PH.
It must be soft, and the water hardness must be more than 5 to 6.5. Moreover, you must treat the water with a de-chlorinator. If you miss any conditions, you will lose your fish because they are very sensitive to water parameters.
- Lighting
Giant Betta is a shallow water fish that needs natural but adequate lighting. This is important for plant growth. They do not have certain preferences, but the light is necessary for their growth and healthy survival. Moreover, it is important to differentiate between the day and night cycle.
They need darkness to sleep, so you need to close the lights. Artificial light is better because it does not raise the water temperature like sunlight. Thus, you must avoid using direct sunlight on the water tank.
Moreover, switch on, off, and dim the light as per the day timings.
- Water Heather
You must maintain 75 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit in your tank for your giant betta fish. A water heater can help you to maintain this temperature for them. Otherwise, they will be sick in the old water, resulting in death. You must keep the water flow and current very slow. They enjoy swimming in stagnant water.
Moreover, the giant bettas cannot bear the hard water. So, you must attach a water heater to keep the water warm for them. They come with various power ratings, so you need to choose as per the tank capacity and efficiency.
- Lid for Giant Betta’s Tank
This is another interesting thing you must consider when putting a giant betta in the water tank. Make sure you must cover it with a lid because there is a chance that fish will jump out of the water. It happens that time when male bettas chase the females, and they come out of the tank.
However they are very calm and peaceful fish, but they used to jump out of the water when stressed or aggressive. You need to take care of these things.
- Plant and Decorations for Giant Betta
This freshwater fish likes her habitat full of live plants with green leaves. They live in the natural environment in freshwater, making them love broad and large leaves. They help them to survive in an acidic environment like Java and Anubis ferns. They get a floating cover from the broad leaves.
Moreover, they shelter them to rest under their shade or hide them. If you are adding some extra décor items, you must avoid using sharp edges to protect their fins from injury.
Feeding Giant Betta
There is nothing very particular that you must give them in their diet. They are carnivorous, so you must give them food based on protein, such as high-quality flakes or pellets. They must be basic and regular because they love meaty treats but frozen and live. They love to hunt mosquitos, bloodworms, brine shrimps, and others. They need food twice per day. Do not give them meals larger than their eye sizes. They need more food; otherwise, they get constipated. On the other hand, the hard shells can negatively impact their digestive system. You must take care of all these things.
Breeding the Giant Betta
Select a female and male betta fish with the properties you need in their offspring. A four to twelve months fish is ready for breeding. You can choose a pair close to the same age and size. The male must be slightly larger than the female. Wild giant bettas are mouth breeders, meaning that males carry their eggs and keep them in their mouths until they are ready for release. Giant bettas build a bubble nest. They are free from genetic conditions, and, le use bright coloration to be charming for the females. You must focus on the pair of the same species.
Disease and Parasite Control for Giant Betta
They are highly sensitive to water quality and food intake. If you do not care for these things, they can easily build multiple diseases. Those are very difficult to treat. These fish are prone to digestive problems such as constipation. Moreover, fungal infections, bacterial illness, Ich, and fin rots are common. It is important to maintain a clean environment for them. Keep their water warm for their survival, water changing regularly, and monitor their routine. It is important to save them from bacteria; you can use catappa for it. Aquarium salt and Malafix is the best thing to protect them from infections and bacterial diseases.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between giant betta and king betta?
Most of the newbies confuse about the two. However, king betta is different from the others due to its size. It is a regular betta, and the giant betta grows up to 7 inches. Moreover, king betta has a shorter lifespan of about three years, and giant betta has more. Kings are violent and temperamental, but giants are calmer. These properties make them different from one another.
- Can a normal betta grow into a giant betta?
The bettas are normal in size and never grow more than three inches. On the other hand, giant bettas are large, and they can grow three inches to six and seven inches. It is a bog size that is not easy to attain for normal bettas in pet shops. Before buying them for your home use, you must learn about their size differences.
- How fast does a giant betta grow?
Giant bettas have a faster growth rate as compared to regular bettas. You can notice maturity in young ones in two to three months under favorable conditions. They stop growing at eighteen months and mature in one year.
Conclusion
We end this discussion with the conclusion that it is a wonderful fish species that is very simple to care for. Giant Betta fish is a new species, and they have many fans. They are very much popular due to their larger sizes.
Moreover, people like them for their calm and peaceful temperament. Their colorful fins and size fascinate people. Therefore, the majority of the people like them. They are very easy to care for and feed at the right time. We hope, from this guide, you have learned many things about them, and it helps you to take care of your giant pets without any hassle.
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