All About Koi Betta Fish: A Complete Guide

In aquarium markets, you might have seen several colorful fish species. Fish keepers like to have colorful fish, and Koi fish is famous for its attractive colors and beautiful physique. So, the fish breeders and keepers do experiments on the breeding process with different species.

Well, its outcomes are excellent. Koi betta fish is a fish that has originated from the fish breeding market, not from natural water resources.

Many people consider the koi betta fish a specie of koi fish or betta fish. But it is not the case. A koi betta fish is a betta fish that is named after its color variation. A koi betta fish can change its color over time. Color variation in the fish occurs due to the DNA gene” Transposons.”

The purpose is to describe to the reader that koi betta fish does not belong to the Koi fish family. Instead, it is titled koi betta or marble betta fish after its color-changing quality. 

This article will highlight the difference between the Koi Amur Carp and koi betta fish and other varieties of Koi betta. Further, you can know the habitat, living style, temperament, eating habits, and much more about the Koi betta fish.

Thus, the fish keepers can get helpful information to take great care of the lovely Koi betta fish. 

Lets Deep Dive Into Koi Betta Fish

Koi vs Marble Betta: What’s The Difference?

Initially, koi bettas were not different from marble bettas. Over time, the color variation and other patterns drew distinct lines between the two fish species. 

Koi betta is a color variant of Betta Spendens and is popularly known as Siamese Fighting fish. Koi betta and Marble betta carry more similarities than differences. However, fish keepers point out the color and pattern differences between the two types of fish.

Koi betta reveals more distinct and sharp colors. Color patches of koi betta do not merge on ends. On the other hand, marble betta has joined and blurred colors on the edges. You cannot differentiate from where one color spot starts and ends in a marble betta. 

If you have decided to buy a koi betta, koi betta is much more expensive than a marble betta. Though their offspring do not reveal the same color or marble spots, it requires some time. With maturity, color spots appear on the koi betta’s body. 

Galaxy Koi Betta Fish

Galaxy Koi betta is a color variant of Koi Beta fish. It belongs to the family of betta fish. It also originates from the freshwater of Thailand, and people often call it Galaxy Koi Fighter.

That is why fish keepers explore the combative fish features and prepare the galaxy koi betta for different competitions.

 It is the appearance and body patterns that attract the aquarists. Multi-color spots and fancy fan-style fins make it prominent among aquarium species. Galaxy koi betta is among the most popular koi betta in the world of fish aquariums.

Due to its attractive color patterns, it is often referred to as Galaxy Candy Koi betta. However, Galaxy koi betta is smaller, nearly 2.5 inches. But its life span is 3-5 years depending upon the care and nourishment habitat. 

Galaxy Koi Betta can be categorized into four types: Nemo galaxy koi, Giant galaxy koi, black galaxy koi, and yellow galaxy koi betta. Unluckily, galaxy koi betta is an endangered species in wild regions.

The reason is that this colorful specie is highly popular and in demand worldwide. So, people take it from its natural habitat and keep it in aquariums or fish tanks.

Koi Plakat Betta fish

Koi Plakat fish is much in resemblance to the previously described galaxy koi betta. The sword-like pelvic fins distinguish it from other color variants. Furthermore, plakat koi betta is smaller than the Galaxy koi betta or different koi betta varieties. Plakat reveals attractive color hues in its body.

Some plakat are spotted with silver bases and red spots all over the body. At the same time, others have deep red and orange touch with deep blue dots and silver lining. So, you can get a greater variety of the Plakat koi betta as per your desire.

Though the life expectancy of plakat koi betta is 3-5 years, it can live longer with proper care and nourishment. Dragon koi betta, Samurai Koi betta, Mustard betta, and Hellboy betta are some of its color variants.

Usually, plakat are customary to the harsh living environment, but they are sensitive to poor water conditions. Overall, a plakat koi betta is the best gift pet. 

Male and Female Koi Betta Fish

Before buying, you must decide whether to have a male or female koi betta. Male koi betta is different in appearance and behavior from female koi betta. How can one know the gender of the selected fish? It is pretty much more accessible.

Firstly, male koi betta has more distinct and appealing colors on its body than female koi betta. Female koi betta has streamlined bodies and reveals colors on their fins. 

Secondly, ventral fins also distinguish koi betta’s male and female counterparts. Male koi bettas have wider and bulkier ventral fins. Unlike males, female koi bettas carry thinner, shorter, slender ventral fins.

Thirdly, female koi bettas have an egg spot on their body that male koi betta lacks. Eggspot can be seen on ovipositor. You can find it between the head lump and two ventral fins.

However, if you are purchasing an immature koi betta or its offspring, They may not develop an egg spot at that time. 

What Is the maximum size of a Koi Betta?

Well, if you think that koi betta is a larger fish specie like Koi Carp, hold on a minute and learn about the size of koi betta. Koi carp is a fish that can grow up to 3 feet in length. Many beginner fish keepers may assume that koi betta may grow as long as it’s titled fish. It is a misconception only.

All koi betta color variants may range up to 3 inches maximum. However, plakat koi betta is a shorter fish that can be as big as 2.5-inch or lesser. The smaller size of koi betta enhances its popularity in fish tanks. It is easier to nourish and take care of this small sized-fish in an aquarium.

Otherwise, managing a new tank for local fish keepers is often tricky. So, Koi betta is titled on the name of koi Carp due to its color-changing quality, not size.  

A Koi Betta Fish’s temperament

Koi betta is an aggressive specie. You cannot keep two koi betta males in a tank. Koi bettas are highly territorial by nature. They live alone and do not like any other betta on their premises.

Two male koi bettas can get so aggressive that one betta can hurt the other. Even this fight can result in the death of one betta or another. 

Many fish keepers suggest keeping one male and one female koi betta for breeding. But it is also not a safer way. Male betta can chase the female betta in aggression, and it can even result in the death of female betta. 

However, female koi bettas can live in sorority tanks. Sorority tanks are the tanks where female bettas are housed in a group. Female bettas can live in groups, but the race of superiority can be observed there.

However, female bettas are not as aggressive as males. So, be careful while keeping two Koi betta.  

We are the tank mates for Koi betta

Commonly, Koi betta does not like mates in a fish tank. They live happier when they are alone. If you want to add more fish to your tank, consider these features:

Capacity of the fish tank

A rule of thumb is that a 1-inch fish can reside in a 1-gallon tank. So, you can calculate the size of the fish and tank size. You cannot add extra fish in a smaller tank as it can cause suffocation and even death of the koi betta.

Furthermore, koi betta loves to explore, swim, and play behind the caves, rocks, and vegetation. 

Temperature inside the tank and climate inside

Koi betta cannot survive other than at optimal temperature. So, you need to check out the tank mates that can stay in the same climate. 

Finally, you cannot keep koi betta with a fish having larger and wider fins. It is better to house a fish with shorter fins and less vibrant colors. Many fish love to live in schools. But, it would be best to be careful about the critical water conditions and temperature of schooling fish. 

Tanks for sororities

Every koi betta has its unique nature. Not all koi betta like the environment of the sorority tanks. So, it is advised to choose only female bettas for the sorority tanks. They are less aggressive, but there is a probability of fights and quarrels.

What are the best ways to make a successful sorority tank? 

The tank’s outlook

It would help if you overloaded the tank with rocks, caves, decorations, plants, and vegetation. As described earlier, koi betta is territorial, occupying a particular area to stay. Thus, sorority members can take hold of the desired location. Further, koi betta likes to explore the surrounding. Plants and vegetation satisfy the curious instinct of fish.  

Tanks with a larger capacity

Sorority tanks are often larger. A tank that holds 3-4 female koi betta can have a minimum of 20 gallons of water or more. So, it is better to have bigger tank sizes to grow the koi betta healthier.

Fish should be introduced gradually to the tank

Sorority tanks are often considered against the nature of koi betta. Fighting Siamese fish needs their territory to live. So, it would help if you introduced all fish in the sorority tanks at once. Otherwise, you will have to bear a war of environment in the tank.

After introducing the sorority tank to all koi betta, you cannot leave them alone. Observe the behavior of fish. If any fish gets aggressive, it is better to take it out and keep it in a separate tank.   

Taking Care of Koi Betta Fish

Caring for the koi betta fish at home is easier if you have fulfilled all living requirements. A fishkeeper can better understand the dietary habits of the koi betta. As you spend time with your lovely pet, you can learn about its likes and dislikes. 

Next, after food, tank criteria are another survival feature. The fish’s lifespan may be shorter if the fish tank does not provide living conditions similar to the freshwater habitat. 

Another essential care feature is the acidity and minerals in the water. Koi betta cannot feel comfortable in the water with nitrite, nitrate, and ammonia. It would be best if you used filters to lessen the toxicity and acidity of the water. 

Koi betta fish carries exploratory nature. It loves to enjoy itself in its surrounding. So, you should change the decoration and setting of the tank quite often. Consequently, koi betta will get a new environment to explore. However, be careful while changing the tank set in the sorority tanks. 

Koi Betta – What do they eat?

Koi betta is a carnivore in fresh water. However, they adopt an omnivorous nature in the fish tanks. Flakes and pellets are high-protein diets. So, provide flakes and pellets daily to your koi betta pet.

Furthermore, you can offer them frozen food, including bloodworms and brine shrimps. It is advised not to provide live bloodworms from nature. It may carry many diseases and viruses. So your pet can fall ill. 

Furthermore, avoid over-feeding the koi betta. Koi betta often gains weight and suffers from constipation on having an unstoppable feed. So, you should set a time frame to provide food to the koi betta pet. It may be possible that koi betta resists eating some food items. Over time, you can learn what is suitable for koi betta and what is not.

Of course, if you are bringing a koi betta home, you should know the eating habits of this fish pet. After providing food to the fish, observe keenly how koi betta responds to certain food items. 

How do you set up a suitable Koi Betta Fish Tank (Tank requirements)?

Creating a suitable environment for the Koi betta fish tank is fantastic fun. Here are some of the tank requirements listed:

Tank size

For one koi betta, the tank size should be nearly 5 gallons. However, if you have decided to keep it with other fish species, You can assess the tank size according to the number of fish. Sorority tanks with female koi betta are often 20-30 gallons. 

Filtration and water quality

Koi betta requires a water temperature between 77-83 F. So, the core feature is necessary for its survival.

Though koi betta is found in suffocated fresh water, narrow streams and rice paddies do not have a cleaner environment than a fish tank. But to nourish a koi betta in an artificial environment requires excellent care. So, you should change the 20-30% of water weekly. Further, you must filter the wasted food and fish excretory waste out of the tank.

Decor and plants

Plants and decorations enhance the aquarium’s outlook and make a good impression on the koi betta’s health. Koi betta pets can get ample space to wander around. Thus, it can occupy a particular swimming area, sleep, and play. You can use smooth rocks, beads, and wooden pieces to make hidden places.

The tank’s heater, fish cycle, filtration process, and plants also matter. Moreover, you should take great care of the proper light system and choose a safer place for the fish tank. 

Koi Betta breeding

Koi betta should be at least four months older for the breeding process. The 4-months to 14 months old koi betta gives birth to healthier and more attractive offspring. Breeding tanks require certain conditions to fulfill. Otherwise, the eggs or fry cannot survive. A suitable breeding tank requires the following:

Temperature

It requires a heated temperature between 78-82 F. 

pH level

It is necessary to control the acidity of the water. So, the pH level should range between 6.0 – 7.0.

Water depth

Breeding requires a low water depth, nearly 4-5 inches only. Fry or offspring inhale through the labyrinth. So, they need surface water to inhale oxygen. 

Hidden places

Mating requires privacy. Fish will never breed in the presence of a crowd around the tank. So, you should add artificial hidden places, plants, and vegetation. Thus, male and female koi betta can mate and continue breeding.

After fulfilling the tank requirements, it is time to introduce both partners to the tank. Initially, let the female fish move in the tank and enjoy one hour before breeding. Then, submit the male koi betta inside the tank.

When male betta is ready to mate, it reveals sharp color and flares its fins. Female koi betta shows a streamlined pattern on the body and flares the fins. The tank requires humidity, so cover the tank with a lid. 

Koi Betta: Where can I buy them?

The first and handy way is to place an order online. However, several online fish-keeping stores encourage online orders. Even the aquarists in Thailand and South East Asia states also ship it to the desired countries or cities. But you cannot watch the original colors of the fish.

People love to buy tiny ko betta for its color variation. So, online order is not suitable for purchasing a koi betta. 

Another way is to visit the local aquarium stores and choose desired koi betta. Thus, you can check for any deformity or unhealthy features in the fish. Furthermore, local stores also suggest better food and living habitats for the fish. You can see beautiful colored koi betta and pick the desired one.

Local aquarium keepers and hobbyists also breed and sell koi betta. Usually, koi betta is hard to breed. That is why its price is higher than other color variants of betta. 

Finally, a conclusion.

Koi betta is the best if you love having small fish in your home aquarium. Though you cannot keep them in pairs or groups, it is the best choice. The “jumping gene” in koi betta makes it popular and attractive. It keeps on changing its colors. 

The small size of the fish makes it aquarium-friendly fish. You need not worry about the growth of the koi betta. It can grow a maximum of 3 inches only. The lifespan of koi betta is 3-5 years, but it can also get extended.

By meeting all life necessities and compatible habitats, koi betta can live with you for years. 

Koi betta males are aggressive. There is evidence that male koi betta can eat its eggs when it does not get enough food. Further, koi male betta does not like fellow fish in the tank. It can kill the other tank mates.

So, never house two koi betta males in the same place. However, place a partition in the tank if you want to keep a male and female koi betta. Koi betta is a sensitive fish specie. It may show a stubborn attitude to its caretaker.

For instance, fish will not respond to new food and sit aside. So, fish keepers should understand the emotions and feelings of koi betta.  

To conclude, koi betta fish is ideal for keeping in the home aquarium. If you like koi carp and its color patterns, koi betta is its shorter version. You can take it home and enjoy it with your new betta pet.