In this blog we will discuss everything about white opal betta fish like their habitat,lifespan, appearance, varieties, water-chemistry, tank-size and several other parameters about them.
Overview
In this blog
- Key specifications of white opal betta fish
- Habitat of white opal betta fish
- Lifespan of white opal bettas
- White opal betta fish physical appearance
- What are the different varieties and tail types of white opal betta fish?
- Tank size for white opal bettas
- Water parameters of white opal bettas
- Substrate for white opal bettas
- Light intensity for white opal bettas
- Type of filters for white opal bettas
- Diet of white opal bettas
- Tank mates of white opal bettas
- Tank plants for white opal bettas
- Behavior of white opal betta
- How do you know if your white opal bettas are happy?
- What are the signs of a stressed opal bettas?
- How to calm your stressed opal bettas?
- Disease in white opal bettas
- Treatment of opal bettas infections
- Summary
- Frequently asked questions
What type of betta is a white opal?
Key specifications of white opal betta fish
| Species | Betta |
| Family | Gouramis |
| Body color | White |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive |
| Care level | Easy to care for |
| Lifespan | Between 2-4 years |
| Body size | 2.5 inches in lengthSelling size- 1.5 to 2.5 inches in length |
| Diet | Carnivore (wild)Omnivores (captivity) |
| Tank size | 5 gallons (minimum) |
| Tank type | Planted tank |
| Water temperature | 76-81F |
| Compatibility | Non-aggressive species |
Habitat of white opal betta fish
White opal bettas come from the tropical climate of Southeast Asia, especially Thailand and cambodia.They could be seen in slow moving streams,shallow water of marshes and ponds.
Lifespan of white opal bettas
White opal bettas have a short life span between 2-4 years.Their short lifespan is due to their poor genetics.They are not so famous like other bettas.
White opal betta fish physical appearance
- White opal bettas have completely white bodies along with their finnage.
- They have a subtle pearlescent sheen.
- Sometimes they look somewhat pink in colors as their flesh can be easily seen through their body scales.
What are the different varieties and tail types of white opal betta fish?
Rosetail type white opal betta fish
Variations of halfmoon betta and and tails fanned out and overlap with each other to give rose-like arrangement.
Double tail type white opal betta fish
Two separate tails and a larger dorsal fin.
Plakat type white opal betta fish
Plakats are short and rounded and have shorter fins.
Crowntail type white opal betta fish
As the name suggests, they have long and spikey crowns.
Halfmoon type white opal betta fish
Looks like half-moon or half circle.They are considered as the most aggressive.
Dumbo/Elephant ear type white opal betta fish
Large pectoral fins,which resemble an elephant’s ear.
Delta tail type white opal betta fish
Triangular shaped,due to narrow base and widened ends.
Veiltails type white opal betta fish
Most common varieties, having long and flowing tails.
Tank size and tank shape for white opal bettas
- Minimum tank size for white opal bettas is 5 gallons.
- Additional tank size for each fully grown bettas is 1 gallons.
- Smaller or cramped tanks will reduce white opal bettas lifespan.
- They do well in both plastic and glass aquariums.
- White opal bettas do well in bigger and spacious tanks.
- They prefer a horizontal tank that will provide more swimming space,and make sure their tanks are more in length than height.
Water parameters of white opal bettas
White opal bettas prefer calm water like other bettas in their aquariums.They do well in optimum temperature conditions.
If these parameters are not maintained then they will become inactive and can become sick.
They are also very sensitive to ammonia and nitrate levels in their aquarium.Their higher levels can be detrimental to them.
- White opal water type-Freshwater type
- Water temperature-76-81F (warm water is must)
- Betta breeding temperature-78F
- Water pH-6.5-7.5
- Degree of water hardness-3 to 4 dGH and 3 to 5 dKH
- Water movement inside the tank-Calmer movement
- Ammonia and nitrite levels- 0 ppm
- Nitrate levels <20 ppm
- A good quality heater attached with a thermometer will help to maintain the internal environment exactly like their natural habitat
Water changes in white opal bettas tank
White opal bettas are sensitive to poor water conditions and ammonia spikes ,so it’s very important to maintain pristine water conditions to keep them healthy.
Water changes are really important in their tanks to keep their health better.
- 10-20% water should be changed weekly once.
- Or you can change 20 -30 5 water changes every 3 weeks.
Substrate for white opal bettas
Like their cousins,white opal bettas are not too particular about a specific substrate in their tanks.
But if they are housed with bottom feeders then a spectrastone premium gravel mixed with small sized river pebbles will give their tank a natural look like their natural habitat.
Light intensity for white opal bettas
White opal bettas like their cousins need indirect sunlight for some hours to maintain their body colors.
Direct sunlight exposure can increase the growth of algae in the tanks and this can ruin the water quality.
Opals are sensitive to poor water conditions,so indirect sunlight and standard aquarium lights will do the needful to keep the freshness of live plants intact.
Type of filters for white opal bettas
Like other bettas proper filtration is crucial for white opal bettas too.They too prefer filters with low flow rate and should do filtrations 4 to 5 times in an hour.
There are two types of filters which are very popular for bettas tank:
- Sponge filters-It is easy to maintain and will carefully filter out toxins without sucking the bettas fry in them.
- Hang-on-back filters- This will do mechanical filtration,chemical filtration & biological filtration.Easy and best for novice aquarists.
Diet of white opal bettas
- Naturally carnivores but they are omnivorous in aquarium conditions.They accept a wide variety of food.
- Variety of flakes
- Protein enriched floating pellets
- Frozen or dried brine shrimp
- Frozen and freeze-dried bloodworms
- Small insects
- Larvae
- Avoid overfeeding,as it is not good for their health.
- Feeding frequency- They should be fed once or twice a day
- Leftovers and uneaten food should be removed everyday using a gravel siphon to avoid ammonia accumulation in their tanks,as they are very sensitive to ammonia and nitrate levels.
Tank mates of white opal bettas
Suitable and compatible tank mates for white opal bettas are:
- Blue gouramis
- Neon tetras
- African dwarf frog
- Pictus catfish
- Danios
- Loaches
- Rasboras
- Corydoras
- Plecos
Tank plants for white opal bettas
List of suitable aquatic plants for white opal bettas are:
- Indian almond leaves
- Anubias nana
- Cryptocoryne
- Water Sprite
- Sword Plant
- Vallisneria
- Silk aquarium plants
- Sinking ceramic betta log
- Marimo balls
- Waterthymes
- Betta leaf hammock
- Betta Bulb
Behavior of white opal betta
- Like their cousins white opal bettas do get aggressive under certain conditions.
- They are active and swim nicely with their long flowing fins.
- Male opals are more aggressive than female opals.
- Male opal bettas get aggressive towards each other and fight with each other to death.
- Female opal bettas are less aggressive than male opals and can adjust with other community fish.
- Female opals show aggression towards other female opals to show their dominance.
How do you know if your white opal bettas are happy?
Your white opal bettas are happy when:
- When their fins are held open and.
- They have normal swimming movements
- Have a good appetite and zeal to eat
- They look active and curious.
What are the signs of a stressed white opal bettas?
A stressed opal bettas wil show these signs when they are under stress:
- Color changes in white opal bettas
- Clamped fins
- Stress stripes will be visible and it would be more prominent in female opal bettas
- Opal bettas won’t eat properly and will lose their appetites.
- They will look all lethargic and dull
- They will shy away and corner themselves.
- They will be seen darting.
How to calm your stressed white opal bettas?
- White opals are sensitive to poor water conditions,so it would be important to keep the levels of ammonia,nitrate and nitrites in check.
- Water conditioners should be used to treat tap waters for keeping your bettas,because bettas get stressed in untreated tap waters.
- Water temperatures should be monitored.
- Give them lots of hiding space to have their own time.
- Tannis can be used.
Disease in white opal bettas
Some of the most common disease in white opal bettas lie their cousins are:
- Fin rot
- Tail rot
- Cloudy eyes
- Dropsy
- Anchor worms
- Holes in the head
- Velvet
- Ich
- Mouth fungus.
Treatment of opal bettas infections
- Water changes should be done to keep the levels of ammonia spikes in check to avoid infections.
- Bacterial infections should be treated using antibiotics after consulting your vets.
- Water temperature should be monitored if they are inactive or showing sluggish behavior.
- Water pH levels should be maintained to avoid infections.
- API bettafix is available online and in pet shops to treat a variety of bettas infections.
Summary
- Not so famous like colorful bettas.
- They are also aggressive like colorful bettas.Aggression is there in their genes.
- Male opal bettas should not be kept together.
- Marble genes help them to change their colors either naturally or due to some injury or illness.
- Like other colorful bettas they might not be available in pet stores due to their dull color.You can check online to buy them.
- You can use bettafix to treat a variety of opal bettas infections.
- Water changes,water temperature and ammonia levels should be monitored to maintain pristine water conditions in white opal bettas aquarium.
Frequently asked questions
Are white opal bettas rare aquarium fish?
White opal bettas are not rare,but they are not so famous like the colorful bettas.
Why do white opal bettas lose their colors?
White opal bettas lose their colors due to various factors like stress,old age,injury and illness.They are even seen to lose their colors naturally due to the presence of marble genes in them.
What do white opal bettas turn reddish in color?
White opal bettas are very sensitive to ammonia spikes and if it goes unchecked then their gills start burning and this inturn will change them to red from white.You can even see red streaks on their tails too.
