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Spade Tail Betta
Betta splendens
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Anabantiformes›Osphronemidae
Variety of Halfmoon Betta · Spade Tail
📍 Southeast Asia (captive-developed)
Betta with a rounded caudal fin that tapers to a point — resembling the spade suit in playing cards. A natural, older tail form that is sometimes considered the ancestral betta shape. Less common than veiltail or halfmoon.
Care Guide
Diet
Spade tail bettas are carnivorous and require high-protein foods including quality betta pellets, frozen bloodworms, and live brine shrimp. Feed small portions once daily, offering only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes to prevent overfeeding and water quality issues.
Behavior
Spade tail 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 fins when threatened or excited, displaying their characteristic rounded spade-shaped tail.
Breeding
Breeding spade tail 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; fry require infusoria or liquid fry food for the first week before graduating to micro pellets.
Tank Mates
Peaceful bottom-dweller that won't compete with betta's top-zone territory or trigger aggression
Slow-moving snail that occupies different zones and provides algae control without competing for food
Small schooling fish may trigger hunting instinct; only suitable in larger tanks with dense plants for escape routes
Peaceful catfish that stays on substrate and won't threaten or compete with betta in upper zones
Hardy plant that provides shelter and resting spots without being uprooted by betta activity
Common Diseases
Fin Rot
Frayed, torn, or discolored fin edges; progressive deterioration of tail and dorsal fins
Perform 25% water changes every 2-3 days, maintain temperature at 26-28°C, and treat with aquarium salt (1 teaspoon per 5 gallons) or antibacterial medication if severe
Ich (Ichthyophthirius)
White spots covering body and fins, lethargy, rubbing against surfaces, rapid breathing
Raise temperature gradually to 28-30°C, increase aeration, and treat with ich medication or salt treatment; perform daily water changes
Velvet Disease
Fine golden or rust-colored dust on body, clamped fins, lethargy, difficulty breathing
Dim lights, raise temperature to 28°C, and treat with copper-based medication or salt; isolate in hospital tank if possible
Dropsy
Swollen belly, scales protruding outward, lethargy, loss of appetite, curved spine
Isolate immediately, perform frequent water changes, improve water quality, and treat with antibiotics; prognosis is poor if advanced
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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