Size
Up to 3 inches
Physical Characteristics
Koi bettas are often white with patches of different colors, such as yellow, black, red, or orange. There are, however, fancier variations that also have additional color blotches, such blue or green. Koi bettas are also more frequently short-finned than long-finned when compared to other betta species.
Temperament
The Siamese fighting fish known as bettas are known for their extreme territoriality and aggression. The temperament of a koi betta is identical to that of other bettas. Two male koi bettas should never be kept together since they frequently engage in death-defying combat.
Habitat
Koi bettas are native to warm Southeast Asian nations like Indonesia and Thailand. As a result, it’s crucial to install a submersible heater in their tank so that the water can continue to stay between 76 and 80 degrees F.
Keeping as Pet
- Tank Size
The size of a 10-gallon aquarium is adequate for housing one koi betta. If you want to add tankmates, you will need a bigger one because doing so will make your betta more territorial and observant of their surroundings.
- Water Parameters
Water should be kept at 75 to 80 degrees. Water should be between 6.0 and 8.0 pH and 5-35 dGH hardness.
- Feeding
These carnivorous fish must consume a lot of protein. In their natural habitat, koi bettas consume items like worms, mosquito larvae, and even little fish. Give captive animals some wholesome live or frozen food. Daphnia, brine shrimp, and bloodworms are a few examples that are frequently sold.
Commercially dried foods can be used, but they are less nutrient-dense, so make sure you combine them with other meals. Give them a portion that they can easily complete in two minutes when it’s feeding time. Be careful not to overfeed them since they will eat until there is nothing left.
- Tank mates
Because of their hostility, betta fish have a limited range of possible tankmates; this is particularly true of koi bettas. If picked incorrectly, tank mates will battle with your betta, which could lead to the death of a fish. Avoid fish that are aggressive or possessive for this reason.
A small shoaling species is a safer option. Koi bettas find it difficult to continuously pick on the same fish when they are in a group. They can readily escape because they are speedier as well. Consider fish from the danio, tetra, molly, and White Cloud Mountain minnow species. Also effective are calm bottom-dwellers like Corydoras catfish and Kuhli Loaches. Betta fish can be kept as the sole fish in the tank because they naturally lead solitary lives.
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