In this blog we will discuss white betta fish. We will discuss everything about them in this blog.
Overview
In this blog
- White betta fish
- Key specifications of white betta fish
- General characteristics of white betta fish
- Tank size of white betta fish
- Water parameters of white betta fish
- Tank mates of white betta fish
- Tank plants for white betta fish
- Substrate for white betta fish
- Feeding habits of white betta fish
- Behavior of white betta fish
- Breeding of white betta fish
- Summary
- Frequently asked questions
- Reference
What are the characteristics of white betta fish?
White betta fish are famous for their shiny white appearance and look attractive like other colorful bettas. They are often confused with albino bettas but both are totally different and equally beautiful.
White bettas are rare because they are white and hobbyists mostly opt for colorful bettas over white bettas. Due to this, they are not readily available in aquatic pet stores.
If you are interested in buying this particular betta breed color you have to check with both online and offline stores, as it would be difficult to find them easily in offline aquatic shops.
Like their wild cousins, they also come from similar habitats and have similar preferences in the aquarium settings. To know more about this betta in detail keep reading the blog.
Key specifications of white betta fish
| Scientific nameName | Betta splendens White betta fish |
| Other names | Natural milky white betta |
| Habitat | Freshwater of Southeast Asia |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Temperament | Aggressive like their cousins |
| Life span | 2-3 years |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable (wild)Captivity (data deficient) |
General characteristics of white betta fish
- White bettas are not albino bettas. They are also known as natural milky white betta fish due to their jet white appearance.
- White betta fish come from southeast Asia and are produced through selective breeding in aquarium settings.
- White bettas are 1.5 to 2.5 inches in length. Males are bigger than females.
- White male bettas are shinier than female bettas.
- Like other betta fish, they too have a labyrinth organ that helps them to breathe in an oxygen deficient environment.
- The average lifespan of white bettas is between 2-3 years. Males live longer than females because females produce babies and become weak due to the continuous breeding process.
- The lifespan of white betta also depends on their genetics, if you are buying them from breeders, who are aware of their genetics then you can expect them to entertain you for a long three years.
Tank size of white betta fish
Tank size plays a vital role in fish health, behavior, and longevity. If you don’t provide the right tank size to your betta fish they will act aggressively due to lack of space and compact tanks will make them cranky too. If you house your bettas in less spacious and compact tanks, it will impact their growth and development.
It is very important to house your white betta fish in a right-sized tank for their growth and longevity. If you own a single betta fish then kindly keep them in a five gallons tank be it male or female betta.
If you are planning to keep two bettas then put them in a tank bigger than five gallons and in my opinion avoid keeping bettas together, they will end up fighting with each other.
Never keep bettas in community tanks, as they might end up hurting their tank mates or get bullied by them due to their long attractive pectoral fins.
If you are planning to keep your white betta in a community tank then add other tank mates before your betta fish and keep them in a bigger and spacious tank. Make sure not to overcrowd bettas tanks with too many tank mates, as it can cause various infections in them due to less space.
Water parameters of white betta fish
Betta fish are hardy species and have been known to survive in harsh conditions. But the fact is if you replicate the same water parameters in their artificial habitat they will feel safe and secure.
Bettas prefer warm water in their tank and the water current should be steady in their tanks, so make sure you are installing filters that don’t stress your white betta fish.
Filters are essential to bettas survival as they produce lots of biological waste in their tank and are also prone to ammonia spikes.
A good sponge filter will do the work or if you want to filter the tank, chemically and biologically opt for filters that perform both the work.
White bettas like their other cousins prefer the same water parameters:
- Water ph should be between 6.6-7.5
- Water temperature should be between 76-80F
- The degree of water hardness should be between 3-5 GH
Make sure to change the water in bettas tanks by proper planning as they get water shock due to differences in water chemistry. Avoid large and sudden water changes and perform partial water changes in bettas tanks to avoid such water shocks.
Temperature plays a vital role in white betta fish metabolism, so make sure the temperature is neither too low nor too high. Lower temperatures make them lethargic and susceptible to various infections and higher temperatures age them faster.
Install heaters in their tanks and regularly monitor the temperature using a good thermometer to avoid temperature fluctuations and temperature shocks.
Tank mates of white betta fish
White betta fish are way more aggressive than other betta species, so it is important to either keep them in separate tanks or if you want to keep them in community tanks then keep them with compatible species, otherwise, it will be difficult to manage incompatible ones.
Keep male white betta fish in separate tanks. Never keep two white male bettas together; they will end up killing each other to death. Male betta should be kept with female white bettas only during breeding time.
You can keep female betta fish with tank mates because female betta fish can adjust in community tanks and with other female betta fish.
Bettas tank mate should:
- Less colorful species
- Less aggressive
- Bottom dwellers
- Mind their own business
Avoid tank mates that are:
- Brightly colored species
- Aggressive species
- Surface dweller
- Finnippers
- Livebearers
Tank plants for white betta fish
White betta fish like other betta fish like to hide under covers because they do the same in their natural habitat to hide from their predators or during fights. They live in floating plants and plants that give them a sense of security and a place to rest too.
There are various floating plants available in the shops and specific betta plants like betta bulbs and other leaves which replicate their natural habitat.
You can add floating plants, betta bulbs, Indian almond leaves, and marimo balls to their tank for hiding and resting purposes. Indian almond leaves will also maintain the pH in bettas aquarium and keep the tank environment healthy, as they act as natural filters.
Substrate for white betta fish
White betta fish are surface dwellers like their wild cousins and occupy the upper and middle levels in the tank. They don’t care about the substrate, so if you are adding substrate or not adding substrate in a bettas tank it doesn’t matter to them.
If you are keeping bottom dwellers as their tank mates then you can add substrates to the tank. You can add small smooth and rounded gravels in the tank, as it won’t hurt or damage bettas beautiful pectoral fins.
Make sure to clean the gravel daily to avoid ammonia spikes and other infections due to ammonia pollution in the tank.
Feeding habits of white betta fish
White betta fish is carnivorous and prefers lots of proteins in their diet. They can be trained in aquarium settings to feed on a variety of food too. They are very intelligent and easily trainable.
Include lots of proteins in their diet in the form of live food, and frozen and freeze-dried food too. Make sure you are not feeding them live or frozen food every day, as it can upset their stomach and lead to various digestive discomforts.
Feed them a balanced and nutritious diet that includes protein, vitamins, minerals, and other food sources like plant-based food too to enhance their colors.
Feed adult white betta fish twice a day and avoid overfeeding as it can lead to constipation and swim bladder disease. Baby bettas should be fed thrice a day and should be given proper care and nutritious meals for their growth and development.
Clean the leftovers every day to avoid ammonia spikes and unstable water parameters.
Behavior of white betta fish
Like other betta fish, white betta fish are also full of personalities. They are also intelligent, curious, smart, and aggressive. As compared to other betta fish, white betta fish are much more aggressive. They also have a few things in common like other bettas:
- White betta fish are aware of things happening outside their tank.
- White betta fish can recognize their owners and their voices too.
- White betta fish flare their gills when they are happy or aggressive, it depends on the situation.
- They interact with their owners and show affection towards them.
- White male bettas are more aggressive than female betta fish.
Breeding of white betta fish
If you are planning to breed your white betta fish, you have to plan everything. Breeding in aquarium conditions should be done properly. There are a few things one should keep in mind to breeding their white betta fish:
- A separate breeding tank is mandatory to breed your white betta fish.
- Breeding tanks should have the same water parameters, live plants, and ideal breeding temperature.
- Give time to male and betta fish to get to know each other and don’t add them directly, it is very important to acclimate them.
- Never keep tank mates in breeding tanks.
- Keep the breeding tank in a quiet place for successful breeding.
Breeding of white male and female betta fish
- White male betta fish will start making bubble nests to attract female bettas to deposit the eggs
- After this males and females will engage in intensive spawning.
- Fry will come out in three days and will be taken care of by male bettas.
- Remove female bettas after spawning, as they get aggressive during breeding.
- When the fry become one month old shift them to separate tanks
- Feed them a well-balanced and pretentious diet.
Summary
White betta fish are famous for their jet white and shinier appearance and are not easily available due to their milky white appearance.
Betta fish are famous for their colorful appearance, so this particular betta fish is not seen easily in pet stores. If you want a white betta fish, you have to check online and offline stores.
Frequently asked questions
Are white bettas frequently available in pet shops?
No, as per my knowledge colorful bettas are more in demand than plain bettas. If you want white bettas you have to check with both offline and online stores.
What is the other name of white betta fish?
White betta fish is also known as natural white milky betta fish.
Are albino betta and white betta fish the same?
No, albino and white betta fish are not the same.
