In this article we will discuss peacock betta fish.We will discuss everything about them from their habitat information, tank size,water parameters,feeding habitat,breeding,diets and other parameters too.
Overview
In this blog
- Key specifications of peacock betta fish
- Peacock betta fish introduction
- Habitat of peacock betta fish
- Lifespan of peacock betta fish
- Physical appearance of peacock betta fish
- Tank size of peacock betta fish
- Water parameters of peacock betta fish
- Substrates for of peacock betta fish
- Light intensity for peacock betta fish
- Tank plants for peacock betta fish
- Tank mates of peacock betta fish
- Diet of peacock betta fish
- Disease and healthcare of peacock betta fish
- Summary
- Frequently asked questions
- Reference
How to take care of Peacock betta fish?
You can take care of your Peacock betta fish by doing the following:
- Water temperature 22-26 degrees celsius
- Water pH Level : 6.0-7.5
- General degree of water hardness : Soft (50 – 100ppm)
- Very sensitive to ammonia levels.so keep the levels of ammonia and nitrite very low in their tanks.
- Temperature plays a vital role in fish metabolism.Maintaining the right temperature will keep your peacock bettas bettas active and healthy.
- A sudden drop in the temperature could make them sluggish and can even kill them.
- Water movement should be slow and calmer in their tanks as they come from regions with calmer and warmer water.
- Efficient filtration is important for peacock bettas health.So use a filter which processes all the water 4-5 times in an hour.
- Sponge and hang-on-back filters can maintain that same flow and are also very easy to clean and maintain too.
- Sensitive to chlorine too,so dechlorinate their tanks.
- Avoid frequent water changes in their tank,as they get nervous with such frequent replacements.
- Water changes should be done weekly
Key specifications of peacock betta fish
| Name Scientific name Family | Peacock betta fishBetta splendensOsphronemidae |
| Habitat | Freshwater slow moving water of Southeast Asia |
| Lifespan | 3 years with great care |
| Diet | Carnivore in wildOmnivores in captive settings |
| Body size | 3 inches in length (7.6 cm) |
| Minimum tank sizeTank level | 10 gallons tank (single betta)Middle to upper regions |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive to Aggressive |
Peacock betta fish introduction
Another beautiful variation of betta fish,mostly sold as peacock blue variations in pet shops.Bettas have been captive bred for many years for their various color variations and varieties.
Peacock bettas are another beautiful captive bred form of a betta fish,holding similar characteristics like their cousins.
Habitat of peacock betta fish
Original habitat of bettas are Asia and their captive breds are actually transported on demand and specially exotic bettas.
In their natural habitat they are found in slow moving water streams,dense vegetation,and warm water conditions.
So in home aquariums they do well when you replicate the same conditions like their natural habitat.
Lifespan of peacock betta fish
Peacock bettas can live around three years like their cousins in aquarium settings.They have a very short life span due to captive breeding.
They should be bought from a breeder who is aware of their genetics.Fish genetics plays a great role in their longevity.Better the genetics,longer will be the lifespan of the fish and health of the peacock betta fish.
Peacock bettas do well in pristine water conditions,proper protein diet, with suitable and compatible tank mates and stress free environment.
Physical appearance of peacock betta fish
- Peacock bettas are 2-3 inches in length.
- Body shape- Peacock bettas have streamlined bodies with scales on them.
- Labyrinth organ- A special organ which helps bettas and their morphs like peacock bettas to breathe air on the surface of the water.
- Captive bred like peacock bettas are known to have large and flowing fins.
- Male peacock bettas have bigger fins than females.
- Sexual dimorphism is quite prominent in bettas and more prominent when they mature.
- It is very easy to differentiate gender or sexes in peacock betta fish with the help of egg spot,body color,body stripes,body shape,gills size,finnage pattern and tails,beards size and visibility,flaring patterns,behavior and aggression,bubble nest formation and parental care
Tank size of peacock betta fish
- Peacock bettas like their other betta cousins need a minimum tank size of 10 gallons.
- They don’t belong to the bowl and vase.
- They can’t thrive in narrow containers.
- Horizontal shaped tanks are best for bettas as it provides proper swimming space to the.
- They don’t like overcrowded tanks as it triggers aggression in them,it’s better to always keep them in bigger tanks if they are kept with tank mates of either their own kind in a community tank.
- Male bettas don’t cooperate with tank mates and other male bettas and may end up fighting and even killing each other for mating,dominance and other resources.
- Female peacock bettas are better and can co-exist with tank mates and other bettas of their own kind and color morphs.
- It is always important to maintain a ratio of male and female peacock bettas in their tanks to avoid such aggressive behavior.
- One peacock male bettas for every 5 female peacock bettas will do good and this will rarely create fights in tanks.
- Peacock bettas like their cousins dwell in the middle and upper regions of the tank.
- Need lots of swimming and hiding places in their tank to swim and have their own time.
- A tank lid is required as they tend to jump out of their tanks,when they get stressed or feel intimidated.
Substrates of peacock betta fish
- Peacock bettas are not bottom dweller and substrates are not an important factor in their tanks.
- Some smooth and fine grains and gravels can be added in their tanks which will recruit beneficial bacteria to maintain tank water chemistry.
- Cave works,live rocks should be there in their tanks to provide lots of hiding space in their tanks.
Light intensity for peacock betta fish
- Both natural and artificial light goes well with peacock bettas tanks.They need enough light during day time and dimness during night time.But it should be noted that exposing them to direct sunlight,could increase algal growth in the tank.
- Standard aquarium lighting and indirect sunlight would be better for thor tanks.
Tank plants for peacock betta fish
- Hydrilla
- Mosses
- Indian almond leaves
- Fake or artificial plants
Tank mates of peacock betta fish
- They go well with peaceful and non-aggressive species
- Bottom dwellers will be a great choice for them ,as they dont like to share their space with their tank mates.
- Flashy and colorful species won’t be a great idea for them.
- Keeping just male peacock bettas will increase tensions and fights in the tank.
- Proper ratio of male to female should be maintained in their tanks to avoid fights and aggression.
- Males peacocks are not compatible with their own kinds and other tank mates while female peacock bettas are comparatively less aggressive and can co-exist with other tank mates and in community tanks too.
- Avoid fin-nippers without fail as they can damage their long flowing fins,for which they are popular in aquariums.
- Tank mates- peaceful tetras,gouramis,corydoras,african dwarf frogs and Danios can go well with them.
Diet of peacock betta fish
- A protein rich diet is recommended for a peacock betta fish to maintain their health and finnage colouration.
- Protein enriched floating bettas pellets are available in pet shops,and should be fed 3-4 pellets a day.
- Live /frozen food food/freeze dried food can also be given by rotating their diets.
- They don’t like flake food so they can be trained to give flake food if they accept it or not.
- Worms and insect larvae.
- They should be fed 2-3 times a day
- Young and juveniles should be fed 3-4 times a day.
Disease and healthcare of peacock betta fish
Poor water conditions are mainly responsible for health concerns in peacock bettas.
If the water is not suitable and there are spikes in ammonia and nitrites levels then definitely your peacock bettas will easily catch a range of diseases like their cousins.It is very important to maintain stable water parameters in their tanks.
One such concerning disease,which is very common among all bettas, is Swim bladder disease.
Reason for swim bladder disease in peacock bettas:
- Overeating or overfeeding
- Gulping air on the water surface
- Distended stomach
- Bad quality food
Symptoms of swim bladder disease in peacock bettas:
- Buoyancy problem-Peacock bettas struggle to maintain their balance or positions in aquariums.
- Swimming difficulties or abnormal swimming behavior.
Treatment of swim bladder disease in bettas:
- Exom salt treatment as per vet suggestions
- Frozen or fresh peas for constipation,if the swim bladder disease is due to digestive issues.
- Surgery by removing the bladder partially by fish vets.
Summary
- Peacock bettas are colorful morphs of bettas.
- They do well in spacious tanks with lots of hiding space in their tanks.
- Peacock bettas should not be kept in smaller bowls and vases.
- It would not be a good idea to keep this beautiful betta and other morphs in bowls and vases, it will hinder their growth, reduce their lifespans, will trigger aggression due to lack of space, and won’t get proper oxygen in such a small vase and bowl.
- The plant roots in such bowls and vases don’t provide them food and ultimately they die out of starvation.
- Males are more aggressive than female peacock bettas.
- Can breathe air on the surface of the water.
- Protein should be included in their diets to maintain their long flowing fins.
- Fin nippers and flashy species should not be included in their tanks.
Frequently asked questions
Can we keep peacock bettas in a bowl or vase?
No,like their cousins even peacock bettas breathe air from the surface of the water with the help of their labyrinth organ.They need proper oxygen circulation in their tanks which is not possible in a bowl and vase.
