In this post, we will answer the question “What is a black orchid betta fish?”. We will also discuss some other black varieties of betta fish and how to take care of them.
What is a black orchid betta fish?
The black orchid betta is a subspecies of the Betta splendens, also known as the Siamese Fighting fish, which is endemic to Southeast Asia and is also known as the Siamese Fighting fish.
Known as the Black Orchid Betta, this midnight black fish has streaks of iridescent steel blue in its fins, which together form a butterfly design on the surface of the water. The colour of a large number of black orchids has been washed with red, further emphasising their spectacular beauty.
What are betta fish?
Betta fish come in over 73 different colours and patterns, with the black orchid being only one of them. In the Osphronemidae family, Bettas are freshwater fish that live in freshwater habitats. This particular betta splendens is the kind of betta that is most usually kept as a pet, and it is the orchid that is black.
It is believed that Bettas originated in Thailand’s Mekong and Phraya river basins. There, the fish thrive in stagnant, shallow water found in areas such as flood plains, marshes, and rice fields. When betta fish breathe, they do it through a breathing mechanism known as a labyrinth. This adaptation allows these adaptable species to thrive in oxygen-starved, polluted water during the dry season.
Bettas are also excellent jumpers, and they make use of this capacity to migrate into new territory in search of mates and food, as well as to flee from predators and other hostile forces. A betta fish may survive for up to three years if it is given the appropriate care.
Crowntail black orchid betta
The black orchid crowntail betta is a very popular variety of this species of betta, and it is one of the most common in the world. When the male crowntail betta is mature, it may grow a caudal fin with huge extensions that can grow to be eight inches in diameter, which is approximately three times the size of the fish’s entire body. In some fishes, the caudal fin can grow to be three times as large as the rest of the body.
The amount of webbing between the rays of the fish’s caudal ends is considerably decreased, resulting in a spiky, crown-like look, which is the source of the variety’s name. Together with the fish’s striking colour, these fish are very fascinating to see in person.
Other varieties of black betta fish
The black orchid is not the only type of black betta to be found in the wild. Breeders have been able to generate some astonishing varieties of the black fish thanks to genetic research of bettas conducted over the years.
Black melano bettas
This kind of betta has unusually thick black pigmentation, giving the fish an intense blue-black colour that resembles the colour of a raven’s wing on occasion.
Black lace bettas
It is mostly due to the presence of a great deal of iridescence on their body and fins that black lace bettas are not as dark as melanos. When the black lace betta’s fins are at their most extreme, they are almost transparent or cellophane in colour, giving them the appearance of lace, hence the betta’s name.
Black devil bettas
Its fins are red, rather than having iridescence, and the fish’s body is a dark, vivid black in hue, which distinguishes it from other bettas.
Black ice bettas
Iridescent in their fins and body, black ice betta fish has a magnificent shine of steel, royal blue, or green colour that makes them stand out in a tank full of other fish.
Caring for black betta fish
Betta fish are rather simple to care for, as long as you give them the proper water conditions and feed, which is not difficult to accomplish.
Tank conditions
Numerous first-time enthusiasts make the common error of believing that an ordinary betta vase or similar container will suffice for one of these unusual species. Bettas, on the other hand, patrol a region that is around three feet in diameter in the wild. To be on the safe side, black bettas should be housed in an aquarium that is at least five gallons in size, and preferably larger.
Rather than being tall, the tank should have a lengthy length. Why? Because Bettas are surface feeders who also require frequent gulps of air to keep their systems functioning properly. For this reason, be sure to allow at least an inch of gap between the water’s surface and the tank’s cover slides so that your betta fish may get some fresh air from the surface when he needs it.
The fact that betta fish have such prominent tails and fins might make it difficult for the fish to swim up to the surface of the water, making it harder for the fish to obtain food. That is why a long, shallower tank is preferable to a tall tank for bettas because the fish will not have to swim as far to reach the top of a long, shallow aquarium.
Additionally, your tank’s lid must be properly fitted. The reason for this is that bettas are capable of jumping, especially when followed by a more aggressive tankmate.
Given that these fish live in shallow water and spend most of their time in the higher areas of their environment, it is recommended that your betta tank be lit quite brightly while setting up your aquarium.
Filtration
Even though bettas may survive in stagnant water in their natural environment, your aquarium should be equipped with a high-quality filtration system.
The filtration system aids in the removal of organic waste and uneaten food from the tank, which helps to keep nitrate levels low and the tank’s environment healthy for your fish. Your black betta may grow stressed and more prone to sickness if the nitrate content in the water becomes too high.
Temperature
Because bettas are extremely sensitive to temperature shock, it is critical that the temperature in the aquarium never falls below 69 Fahrenheit, and that it is maintained at a constant range between 78 and 80 Fahrenheit.
Tank heater placement near the filtration system outlet ensures that warm water circulates throughout the tank, helping to maintain a uniform temperature throughout its contents. Install an aquarium thermometer at the end of the tank that is the furthest away from the heating element. You will be able to verify that the water temperature remains consistent throughout the environment as a result of this procedure.
Water conditions
Because betta fish thrive in water with a pH that ranges between 6.5 to 7.5, it’s important to check the pH levels in the tank at least once a week with a strip test kit, which you can get from any reputable fish store or order online. Betta fish are quite simple to keep and care for.
Décors and toys
Tanks with plenty of hiding spots where the fish may retreat if they feel threatened are ideal for bettas’ growth and development. Aside from that, black bettas require periodic resting because it is exhausting work dragging about such luxuriant fins and tail all day. If you put flat-leaved plants in your tank, your betta will be able to relax on a comfortable leaf and enjoy himself.
In addition to giving interest and keeping him active and engaged, you should provide your betta fish with a variety of toys that will keep him occupied and interested, particularly if you choose to keep your black betta on his own.
The decorations, toys, and substrate that you choose for your betta tank should all have smooth surfaces to prevent harm and damage to your betta’s fins and tail. This will help to keep your betta’s fins and tail healthy. Additionally, pick a substrate that does not include any sharp shards or fragments of extremely abrasive material that might hurt your prized black betta fish.
Feeding black betta fish
Bettas in the wild are omnivores, subsisting on plants, insect larvae, and insects that settle on the water’s surface as food.
Betta fish may be fussy eaters when kept in captivity, especially when they are first introduced to their new environment. Create an appealing feeding environment for your fish by giving him a range of live and frozen food items like bloodworms, mosquito larvae, daphnia, and other similar items.
Before giving your betta frozen food, always soak it in a little amount of tank water for a few minutes before serving it. It is always best to purchase live food from a reputable fish store rather than using whatever you have collected from the environment. Using wild-caught food may expose your black betta to parasites or germs that might be harmful to him.
Betta fish will readily accept dry food in the form of pellets or flakes in the majority of cases. However, you do not need to look at the list of ingredients on the container to determine that the protein composition of the product is at least 40% meat-based; this information is readily available.
Many of the most frequent difficulties that betta fish have in captivity are caused by improper nutrition. Overfeeding your fish can result in bloating, swim bladder difficulties, and constipation and the stress that these illnesses create can be fatal to your fish if not treated promptly. It’s also important to make sure that the pellets are small enough to go into the tiny mouth of a betta. Keep in mind that betta fish are surface feeders, so choose food that will float rather than sink to ensure that they remain healthy and happy.
Feeding should be limited to once or twice a day, with only enough food to keep your betta occupied for a minute or two at a time, in the ideal case scenario. You can see how simple it is to overfeed your betta when you consider that his stomach is almost the same size as his eye. Aside from that, you should set aside one day every week when you do not feed your betta. Constipation and bloating can be avoided by fasting on that particular day.
Tankmates
Male betta fish are quite aggressive, and it is not recommended to have more than one male in the same tank. If the male betta fish is not very feisty, the sorority of female betta fish can often be kept along with the females. Betta females are far less striking than males. Although female bettas lack the brilliant colours and gorgeous ends of their male counterparts, they may still be a charming addition to a communal tank if kept in a small group of five.
Conclusion
In this post, we answered the question “What is a black orchid betta fish?”. We also discussed some other black varieties of betta fish and how to take care of them.
If you have any thoughts or doubts, feel free to drop us a comment below!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): What is a black orchid betta fish?
What is the most difficult come by the colour of betta fish?
Betta fish are now available in nearly every colour and colour combination imaginable, thanks to the crossbreeding and genetic research of dedicated enthusiasts. The purple betta, on the other hand, is the most difficult to come by.
What is the most costly betta fish that you can find?
According to current market conditions, the most expensive betta fish you could get is a half-moon betta that has the exact colours of the Thai flag on its body, which includes red, white, and blue stripes. At an auction in Thailand, this fish was purchased by a collector for the absurd sum of $1,530.
Is it possible to find black betta fish?
Yes. It is possible to find various distinct types of black bettas, such as the black orchid (shown), black ice (pictured), Black Melano (pictured), Black Lace (pictured), and the Black Devil, to mention a few examples. Varieties differ in terms of the strength and depth of the black colour, and some have a lot of iridescence in colours such as blue, green, and steel grey that are overlaid on top of the black.
What is the cost of a betta fish in today’s market?
Betta fish may range in price from a few dollars to several thousand dollars for the best and most sought-after colours and shapes. In the past, a gold betta sold for $1,000 at auction, while more recently, a multicoloured fish went for more than $1,500 at auction.
References
How To Care For A Black Orchid Betta – https://www.aquariadise.com/black-orchid-betta/
Black Orchid Betta Care Guide. 2021. https://www.fishkeepingworld.com/black-orchid-betta/
Black Orchid Betta Fish. 2022. https://www.itsafishthing.com/black-orchid-betta-fish/
