Moderate
Betta spl. male Halfmoon Mustard
24–30°C · pH 6–7.5 · 38L
£37.99
Wild Mahachai male betta, a bold top-dwelling fighter best kept alone in a planted tank. Moderate care, aggressive. 24–30°C, pH 6.5–7.5.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Betta spl. male Mahachaiensis
Wild Mahachai male betta, a bold top-dwelling fighter best kept alone in a planted tank. Moderate care, aggressive. 24–30°C, pH 6.5–7.5.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
The betta fish is one of the most popular and most misunderstood freshwater species. This guide covers everything from proper tank size to the truth about tank mates.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
Among the prized wild members of the Betta splendens complex, the male Mahachai betta (Betta mahachaiensis) is a true fighter rather than a long-finned ornamental form. It is a fish for the keeper who wants the character of a wild Thai betta and is prepared to give it a tank of its own.
This is the larger, bolder sex, reaching around 8 cm and carrying a distinctly aggressive temperament. It patrols the upper levels of the aquarium, breathes air at the surface through its labyrinth organ, and feeds as a carnivore, so a varied menu of meaty foods suits it best. A typical lifespan is about three years.
Give a single male at least 50 litres, planted heavily with plenty of cover, and keep the water warm and close to neutral. Strong structure and broken sightlines help diffuse its territorial drive. It accepts a hardness range of 2 to 12 dGH and a temperature band up to 30°C, which is at the warmer end for a betta and worth matching with a reliable heater.
People often ask whether a Mahachai male can live in a community tank: in practice it really cannot be trusted in a mixed setup, and a species arrangement is the responsible default for an aggressive wild fighter of this kind. Treated this way, with quiet conditions and a varied carnivorous diet, it typically lives for around three years.
Because of that aggression, this male is safest essentially alone. Snails are a reliable companion, and only very peaceful, non-nippy bottom dwellers might be considered, and then only in a large, heavily planted tank with close monitoring. Never house it with other male bettas, fin-nipping fish, large or boisterous species, aggressive cichlids, or fish that demand very hard, alkaline water. Each Mahachai male is sent via a licensed live-animal courier with our live arrival guarantee.
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