Halfmoon Purple

In still water, a purple half-moon unfurls before rivals.

A stunning Halfmoon Purple Betta with a 180° tail, ideal for peaceful planted nano tanks. Hardy, colourful, easy to feed and perfect for beginners.

• Overview: The Halfmoon Purple Betta (Betta splendens) is a captive-bred show variety prized for its dramatic 180-degree spread tail and rich violet-to-lavender colouration, often accented with iridescent blue or red. Males develop the full halfmoon tail, while females have shorter fins but can still be colourful. This is a freshwater labyrinth fish that can breathe atmospheric air at the surface. With proper care, they live 3–5 years and reach 6–8 cm. Purple bettas may shift hue depending on mood, lighting, and diet; a varied, high-protein diet and stable water parameters bring out the deepest tones. They are best kept solo or in a carefully chosen community.
• Water Conditions: Temperature 24–28°C (75–82°F), with 26°C ideal for long-term health. pH 6.5–7.5, though stable values between 6.0 and 8.0 are tolerated. Hardness 2–10 dGH (soft to medium). Ammonia and nitrite must be 0 ppm; nitrate below 20 ppm, ideally under 10 ppm. Minimum tank size is 5 gallons (19 litres) for one betta; 10 gallons (38 litres) or more is strongly recommended for easier maintenance and more stable water. Use a gentle filter—sponge filters or baffled hang-on-back models—because halfmoon tails are heavy and strong current causes stress. An adjustable heater is essential; sudden temperature swings invite fin rot and ich. A tight-fitting lid is mandatory because bettas jump. Perform 25% weekly water changes with temperature-matched, dechlorinated water. Indian almond leaves or catappa extract add tannins that mimic natural blackwater conditions and support fin health. Cycle the tank fully before adding the fish; never keep a betta in an unfiltered bowl.
• Tank Mates: Male halfmoon bettas are territorial and should never be housed with another betta (male or female) except for controlled breeding. Avoid fin-nippers such as tiger barbs, serpae tetras, black widow tetras, and some danios. Also avoid aggressive or large fish: cichlids, angelfish, goldfish, gouramis, and most predatory species. Suitable companions are peaceful, short-finned fish that occupy different water zones. Good options include neon, cardinal, and ember tetras; harlequin and chili rasboras; corydoras catfish (pygmy, panda, sterbai); kuhli loaches; otocinclus; and small snails like nerites or ramshorns. Amano and ghost shrimp usually work, but smaller cherry shrimp may be eaten. In a community tank, add the betta last to reduce territorial behaviour, and provide dense planting, driftwood, and caves so tank mates can hide. A 10-gallon tank is the minimum for any community setup. Female bettas can live in sororities, but this requires a 20+ gallon heavily planted tank, at least 5–6 females, and experienced observation; it is not a beginner project. Always have a spare tank ready to separate any fish if aggression appears.
• Feeding Habits: Bettas are carnivorous insectivores with small stomachs roughly the size of their eye. Feed 2–3 small meals daily, offering only what they can consume in 2 minutes. A high-protein staple such as betta pellets (2–4 pellets per meal) should be supplemented with frozen or live foods: bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, and mysis shrimp. Variety prevents nutritional deficiencies and keeps colour vibrant. Soak pellets for 5 minutes before feeding to reduce bloating and constipation. Avoid overfeeding—uneaten food decays quickly and spikes ammonia, which damages fins. Fast your betta one day per week to aid digestion. Flake foods are generally too low in protein and messy; use them only as an occasional treat. Halfmoon tails can make swimming awkward, so ensure food is delivered near the fish or in a calm area. Some bettas jump for food, so always feed under a closed lid. If your betta refuses food, check temperature, water quality, and for signs of illness. Live foods can trigger natural hunting behaviour and are excellent for conditioning before breeding.
• Care Requirements: Maintain a strict weekly routine: 25% water change, substrate vacuum, and filter media rinse in old tank water. Keep temperature stable and avoid sudden pH or hardness shifts. Provide plenty of cover using live or silk plants (anubias, java fern, cryptocoryne, floating plants) and smooth driftwood or caves. Never use sharp plastic plants or rough decorations—halfmoon fins tear easily. Indian almond leaves or catappa extract are beneficial for fin health and mimic natural habitat. Keep the water surface clear for labyrinth breathing, but ensure a lid to prevent jumping. Use a gentle filter and baffle the outflow if needed. Acclimate new arrivals by drip method for 30–45 minutes. Quarantine any new fish for 2–4 weeks before adding to a community. Watch for fin rot, velvet, ich, and swim bladder issues; treat promptly in a hospital tank. Purple colouration may fade under chronic stress or poor diet; stable parameters and varied foods maintain deep hues. Halfmoon tails can curl if water is too hard or temperatures are low, so aim for soft water and 26°C. Do not keep bettas in small, unfiltered containers. With proper care, your Halfmoon Purple Betta will be a long-lived, stunning centrepiece. Breeding is possible but complex: the male builds a bubble nest, cares for eggs, and the female must be removed after spawning. This variety is best enjoyed as a solo wet pet or in a well-planned community.