Betta spl. male halfmoon black orchid - Betta Fish for Sale UK

Black orchid is the betta world's gothic statement: a near-black base shot through with darker iridescence, spread across the full half-circle of a halfmoon tail. On this 7 cm male the effect is theatre — in dim light he is a silhouette, under directed light the orchid layering surfaces and shifts. Few strains change character with the lighting the way this one does.

For all the drama he is rated easy care, making the black orchid one of the most forgiving routes to a top-shelf show male. Temperament is another matter: aggressive, with housing advice to match. Snails join safely; some shrimp species can work though individual males may prey on them; and very peaceful, non-nippy tank mates are conceivable only in larger, heavily planted aquariums with each fish's temperament weighed. Other male bettas, fin-nippers, aggressive or highly territorial species, large predators, and bright or long-finned fish stay out. He needs a 38-litre minimum, water at 24–30 °C, pH 6–7.5, hardness 1–15 dGH, a carnivore's menu, and surface calm in the top region he occupies. Territoriality climbs around breeding condition.

Dark fish hide problems, which makes his keeping routine slightly different: check him in good light at feeding time, when he is at the surface and side-on, because fin damage or colour dulling that white strains broadcast can pass unnoticed on near-black finnage. The routine itself is gentle — easy rating, 38 litres, heater inside 24–30 °C, carnivore meals, weekly changes holding pH 6–7.5 and 1–15 dGH. Aquascape with contrast in mind: pale sand, light hardscape or backlit planting turn him from shadow to centrepiece. His aggression is conventional for a show male; the snail-only default keeps it theoretical. Around three years of theatre for the price of basic consistency is the bargain on offer.

Black orchid halfmoon profile

• Adult size approximately 7 cm
• Lifespan around 3 years
• Easy to care for
• Aggressive — house singly
• 24–30 °C
• pH 6–7.5
• 1–15 dGH
• 38 litres and up
• Carnivore
• Top-water territory

Display advice for buyers

Pair him with a pale substrate or backlight planting and the dark finnage gains an edge most keepers never see in shop tanks. UK delivery via licensed live-animal courier — live arrival guaranteed on every order.