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Half Sun Betta
Betta splendens
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Anabantiformes›Osphronemidae
Variety of Halfmoon Betta · Half Sun
📍 Southeast Asia (captive-developed)
A cross between a Halfmoon and a Crowntail. The 180-degree tail spread of the halfmoon is combined with the spiky, extended ray tips of the crowntail, creating a sun-ray effect. Striking and increasingly popular.
Care Guide
Diet
Half Sun Bettas are carnivorous and require high-protein foods including quality betta pellets, frozen bloodworms, and frozen brine shrimp. Feed small amounts once daily, only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes. Occasional live foods like mosquito larvae enhance coloration and natural feeding behavior.
Behavior
Half Sun Bettas are semi-aggressive fish that display territorial behavior, especially males toward other males. They are active swimmers that prefer the upper water column and will flare their distinctive sun-ray tails when excited or threatened. They are intelligent and can recognize their keeper, often begging for food at feeding time.
Breeding
Breeding Half Sun Bettas in captivity is moderately difficult and requires careful conditioning of both males and females with high-protein foods. Males build bubble nests and will guard fry aggressively; females must be removed after spawning to prevent aggression. Fry require infusoria or liquid fry food for the first week before graduating to microworms and brine shrimp nauplii.
Tank Mates
Small, peaceful bottom-dweller that won't compete for space or trigger aggression in the upper column
Peaceful invertebrate that occupies different zones and poses no threat to the betta
Small, fast-moving fish that may work in larger tanks but could trigger chasing behavior
Bright coloration may trigger aggression; only suitable in well-planted 10+ gallon tanks
Common Diseases
Fin Rot
Frayed, torn, or disintegrating fin edges; darkening at fin margins; lethargy
Perform 25% water changes every 2-3 days, maintain water temperature at 26-28°C, add aquarium salt (1 teaspoon per 5 gallons), and consider antibacterial medication if severe
Ich (Ick)
White spots on body and fins resembling salt grains; scratching against objects; rapid breathing
Raise temperature gradually to 28-30°C, increase aeration, treat with ich medication following label directions, and perform daily 25% water changes
Velvet Disease
Fine golden or rust-colored dust on body; clamped fins; lethargy and loss of appetite
Dim lighting to reduce stress, raise temperature to 28-30°C, treat with copper-based medication or methylene blue, and ensure excellent water quality
Popeye
One or both eyes bulging outward; cloudiness around the eye; possible eye loss if untreated
Perform immediate 50% water change, check water parameters, treat with antibacterial medication, and isolate in a hospital tank if possible
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Varieties
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Quick Facts
- pH
- 6.5–7.5
- diet
- carnivore
- maxSize
- 3 inches
- minTankSize
- 5 gallons
- temperature
- 75–82°F (24–28°C)
Temperature
75–82°F
24–28°C