In this article we will discuss rare purple 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
- What is a rare purple betta fish?
- Key specifications of rare purple betta fish
- General characteristics of rare purple betta fish
- Tank size of rare purple betta fish
- Water parameters of rare purple betta fish
- Tank mates of rare purple betta fish
- Tank plants for rare purple betta fish
- Substrate for rare purple betta fish
- Feeding habits of rare purple betta fish
- Behavior of rare purple betta fish
- Breeding of rare purple betta fish
- Summary
- Frequently asked questions
- Reference
What is a rare purple betta fish?
Purple is not a natural color of bettas,it only occurs as a result of crossing red and blue bettas.True, pure purple bettas are rare enough to doubt their existence and they look purple in any light.
The natural habitat of Siamese fighting fish is in the large vegetated swamps, rice fields, and slow-flowing streams of South Asia,Thailand and Cambodia.
Key specifications of rare purple betta fish
| Scientific nameCommon name | Betta splendens Rare purple betta fish |
| Other names | Siamese fighting fish |
| Habitat | Freshwater of Southeast Asia |
| Diet | Carnivore/omnivore in captivity |
| Temperament | Aggressive like their cousins |
| Life span | 3-5 years |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable (wild)Captivity (data deficient) |
General characteristics of rare purple betta fish
- Betta fish have been bred for thousands of years. In other words, it comes in various forms and purple bettas are one of them.
- True purple is an extremely rare color for betta fish, and true purple betta is almost unheard of.This fact makes these fish among the most expensive colored bettas.Typically, purple bettas come in shades of blue, red, or lilac.
- Theoretically, you can make a purple color betta by using a mustard gas line and choosing two fish with a high iridescent body and few yellow fins.
- The color variations do not change the standard size of a betta fish. The purple betta also reaches a maximum of about 2.5 or 3 inches in captivity.
Tank size of rare purple betta fish
- The ideal tank size for a single male and female betta fish is 5 gallons.
- Purple betta fish need a decent size aquarium for its size.A 10 gallons tank is recommended.Always remember bigger is always bettas because of their long flowing fins.
- You cannot keep more than one purple betta in a small tank as they will fight each other until they die.
- Make sure you are providing lots of spots for them to hide.
- Don’t cover the tank with plants completely,leave some space for them to swim too.
- Cover their tanks with a tank lid,as they have the habit of leaping out of their aquariums when they feel threatened.
Water parameters of rare purple betta fish
Purple bettas like their cousins prefer pristine water conditions. Although these fish can live in oxygen-poor waters due to their labyrinth organ, it is not recommended to keep them in poor water conditions.
Always keep the aquarium filter running because betta also produce droppings. If you don’t, your betta will get sick due to ammonia pollution, as they are very sensitive to ammonia spikes in their tanks.
Make sure to always check the water quality of purple bettas. To keep them healthy, 10%-20% of the water should be changed every week.
Purple bettas are prone to water changes, they need to be acclimated before being introduced to the aquarium.
Water parameters:
- pH between 6.8 and 7.5.
- temperature between 76° and 85° F
- Bettas prefer calm water
- Water Hardness 5-35 dH
- Nitrites should be 0 ppm
Tank mates of rare purple betta fish
The important thing to consider in caring for a purple betta fish is the size of the aquarium and the number of its tank companion.Betta is an aggressive and territorial fish and cannot be kept with other fish species or its own kind.
When selecting tank teammates, make sure they don’t have any bright colors. Your betta will see these fish as competitors, which is never a good thing. They should also live in a different water level than the betta.
If another fish is hanging on top, the betta may attack them, because they are very much particular about their space and won’t entertain intruders in their spaces.
Never keep tank companions with male bettas, as they are very aggressive but females can adjust with other females and other species too.It is very important to choose tank companions for purple bettas wisely.
Tank plants for rare purple betta fish
Purple betta fish like their cousins hide when they are feeling stressed or overwhelmed.You should therefore offer them many hiding spots in your aquarium.
Driftwood, plants and caves are perfect hiding spots for them. When choosing artificial plants, always choose silky ones, as plastic plants can injure their long flowing delicate fins.
Living plants can not only make bettas aquariums look great, but can actually help maintain the water quality.
Live aquatic plants like floating plants and overhangs makes them feel like it is at home, as wild betta evacuates to the plant and sometimes creates a nest of bubbles around it during breeding time.
Betta fish are diurnal, so they need some light to behave naturally and need to maintain their circadian rhythm too.
While you can keep them in the dark for most of the day, they will appreciate moderate light as it mimics their natural habitat, and will also help the tan plants to grow properly and remain healthy.
Substrate for rare purple betta fish
For the purple betta aquarium, gravel or sand can be used as a substrate. If you choose gravel, the size of it must not exceed half an inch in diameter.
Gravel is good for them because they’re used to living in the wild without sharp substrates. If you choose the sand, you can easily clean it with a gravel siphon.
Make sure to clean the gravels carefully,as it harbors beneficial bacterias which keep the aquarium water clean and healthy.
Feeding habits of rare purple betta fish
Purple betta fish are carnivorous like their cousins and require a high-protein diet. Most work best with certain types of brine shrimp and bloodworms. These can be found in most pet shops.
It is important to keep the fish diet diverse and protein-rich.It is very important to quarantine their live food at least for 14 -20 days in a separate quarantine tank to get rid of any infection.
Make sure to feed them a balanced diet consisting of proteins, vitamins and other supplements too.You get specific bettas food too in pet shops for maintaining their finnage colouration.
It is available in physical stores and online too and make sure not to overfeed the adults as it can increase the bioload in their tank and will also alter the water chemistry due to ammonia pollution.
Behavior of rare purple betta fish
The purple betta, like their cousins, cannot be housed with other fish species in most cases because they are territorial and aggressive. Most of them will attack anything resembling their own kind.
However, the level of territorial behavior and aggressiveness can vary from fish to fish.They tend to have their own personalities. Some will attack anything that moves, while others can handle some other fish.
In particular males can’t tolerate other species including their own kind, and should never be kept with another male in the same tanks,they will end up killing each other for various reasons.
Females are less aggressive than males and can cooperate with other species and their own kind too.But it is better to keep males and females only during mating time with tank dividers and male bettas in a solitary tank.
Breeding of rare purple betta fish
Purple bettas require a separate breeding aquarium as the water conditions must be absolutely clean.Avoid using substrates as it will clog the eggs.
Keep the water flow slow and install a proper heater.Add plenty of Christmas moss to provide a hiding spot for fish, and also add indian almond leaves to help male bettas to build bubble nests for spawning to attract female bettas for spawning.
Once the nest is formed, allow the fish to approach each other. There is a lot of tracking and biting. At some point, the mating ritual dance begins.After mating, the male attaches an egg to the foam nest. He watches over them.
After hatching the fry, the male keeps looking at them. He keeps an eye on them until they swim freely. At this point, the male should be removed for the safety of the fry.
Utmost care should be given to purple betta fry if you want to raise them or else give them to reputable betta breeders for further breeding when they mature.
Summary
- Purple is one of the rarest colors of betta, and it is almost impossible to find this type of fish.
- Rare purple bettas like their cousins don’t fit into community tanks.
- Always quarantine new tank mates in a quarantine tank before adding them to the main tank to avoid infections.
- Most purple betta fish will cost around $10, although some can cost up to $25. In any case, this is not an expensive fish.
- Purple betta fish range from bright violets to bluish purple.The color of fish changes depending on the environment, so the color you see at the store is not always the final color you will get when you get home.
- Purple betta breeding is difficult.Therefore,it is not recommended for new betta keeper.It is advisable to gain sufficient experience, especially before breeding them.
- To keep your purple betta happy and content,consider recreating the betta’s natural habitat in your aquarium.
Frequently asked questions
Do purple bettas need an aquarium heater?
Yes, of course all bettas need an aquarium heater to maintain water temperature.
Do purple bettas need bubblers?
Bubblers are not necessary in their tanks,as they can survive in low oxygen levels too.
Are tap water suitable for purple bettas?
Tap water is not suitable for purple bettas as it contains chlorine and other health-dangerous chemicals.
