{"product_id":"fancy-dragon-plakat-male-betta","title":"Fancy Dragon Plakat Male Betta","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"betta-desc\"\u003e\n\u003cstyle\u003e\n  .betta-desc { font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size:15px;\n    line-height:1.75; color:#1a1a2e; max-width:860px; margin:0 auto; }\n  .betta-desc p { margin-bottom:14px; }\n  h2.fish-title { font-family:Georgia,serif; font-size:1.7em; font-weight:bold;\n    color:#3d1f5c; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:0.03em;\n    border-bottom:2px solid #7b4fa6; padding-bottom:8px; margin-bottom:18px; }\n  .tip-box { background:#f3eafa; border-left:4px solid #7b4fa6; border-radius:4px;\n    padding:12px 16px; margin:18px 0; font-size:0.95em; }\n  .tip-box strong { color:#3d1f5c; }\n  .warn-box { background:#fff3e0; border-left:4px solid #e67e22; border-radius:4px;\n    padding:12px 16px; margin:18px 0; font-size:0.95em; }\n  .warn-box strong { color:#b94600; }\n  .spec-table { width:100%; border-collapse:collapse; margin:20px 0; font-size:0.92em; }\n  .spec-table th { background:#7b4fa6; color:#fff; text-align:left; padding:8px 12px;\n    font-family:Georgia,serif; font-weight:bold; text-transform:uppercase;\n    letter-spacing:0.04em; font-size:0.85em; }\n  .spec-table td { padding:7px 12px; border-bottom:1px solid #e8ddf2; vertical-align:top; }\n  .spec-table tr:nth-child(odd) td { background:#faf7fd; }\n  .spec-table tr:nth-child(even) td { background:#ffffff; }\n  .spec-table td:first-child { font-weight:bold; color:#3d1f5c; white-space:nowrap; width:38%; }\n  .tail-inset { float:right; margin:0 0 0 24px; width:185px; }\n  .tail-inset img { width:100%; height:auto; display:block; }\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"fish-title\"\u003eFancy Dragon Plakat Male Betta\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tail-inset\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/8748\/1655\/files\/PLakat_Tail.png?v=1781374532\" alt=\"Plakat Tail\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFancy Dragon Plakat Male Betta\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eBetta splendens\u003c\/em\u003e) combines the Dragon Scale gene's thick metallic scaling with particularly vivid or complex coloration on a compact Plakat body — the 'Fancy' designation indicating above-average color quality or pattern within the Dragon Scale form. Color varies per individual — use our WYSIWYG video selection to choose your exact fish. The Dragon Scale gene produces thick, overlapping, metallic scales that give the body an armored, almost reptilian appearance quite unlike the smooth scaling of standard bettas. The scales reflect light in a distinctive way, creating a shimmering, hard-edged metallic quality across the entire body surface. Dragon Scale bettas are among the most visually striking varieties available — the scale texture adds a three-dimensional depth to the coloration that no other betta variety can replicate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBetta splendens\u003c\/em\u003e — the Siamese Fighting Fish — is native to the rice paddies, floodplain pools, and slow-moving streams of Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and surrounding Southeast Asia. Bettas are among the most cognitively aware freshwater fish in the hobby. They recognize individual humans — distinguishing their keeper from strangers by face and silhouette — and learn the meaning of familiar movements like approaching the tank or picking up the food container. Each fish has a genuinely distinct personality: some are bold and immediately investigative, others cautious and deliberate, others theatrical displayers that perform at every opportunity. A betta in a properly enriched aquarium with plants, sight lines, and visual stimulation outside the glass is an actively engaged animal that rewards attentive observation. We recommend giving your betta a name — keepers who do consistently report a stronger bond and more attentive care, and their fish tend to show for it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"clear:both;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"fish-body\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tip-box\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSelect Your Exact Fish — WYSIWYG:\u003c\/strong\u003e This listing is part of our \u003cstrong\u003eWhat You See Is What You Get\u003c\/strong\u003e collection. Each betta is individually filmed in their container and video previews are available on \u003cstrong\u003ecuboidstore.com\u003c\/strong\u003e. Browse the videos, find the fish you want, note the \u003cstrong\u003econtainer number in the bottom right corner of the video\u003c\/strong\u003e, place your order, and include that number in your order notes. You will receive exactly that fish — not one like it.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeople in Thailand have kept and selectively bred \u003cem\u003eBetta splendens\u003c\/em\u003e for \u003cstrong\u003eat least 1,000 years\u003c\/strong\u003e — one of the longest domestication histories of any fish. The breeding tradition focused increasingly on color and fin development over the centuries, producing fish of growing beauty long before they reached the rest of the world. In 1840, King Rama III gave specimens to Danish physician Theodore Cantor, who published the first Western scientific description. Bettas arrived in France in 1892, Germany in 1896, and reached San Francisco in 1910 via importer Frank Locke. It was not until 1927 that the first brightly colored, long-finned specimens reached the United States — transforming the fish from a foreign curiosity into the spectacular ornamental varieties the world knows today. The scientific name \u003cem\u003eBetta splendens\u003c\/em\u003e, given by Charles Tate Regan of the British Museum in 1909, means \"gleaming fighter\" — combining \u003cem\u003esplendens\u003c\/em\u003e (brilliant, shining) with a reference to the ancient Bettah people of Southeast Asia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tip-box\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe Cuboid Betta Wall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Our bettas are housed in our \u003cstrong\u003e260-container Betta Wall\u003c\/strong\u003e — one of the largest dedicated betta displays you will find anywhere. Every container has its own \u003cstrong\u003eheated, filtered, UV-sterilized water\u003c\/strong\u003e and a live plant, giving each fish its own stable, enriched environment. While the containers are sized for retail housing rather than permanent home setups, the water quality and conditions are maintained at a standard well above typical retail. When you receive a betta from Cuboid, it has been kept properly — not in a cup.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe ideal home aquarium for a betta is a minimum of \u003cstrong\u003e5 gallons\u003c\/strong\u003e — 10 gallons gives more stable water temperature, better water quality, and more territory to explore and inhabit. \u003cstrong\u003eA heater is required.\u003c\/strong\u003e Bettas are tropical fish that need \u003cstrong\u003e78–82°F (25–28°C)\u003c\/strong\u003e consistently. Room temperature in most US homes falls below this range, particularly in winter, and bettas kept too cool are noticeably less active, less colorful, and significantly more prone to disease. Bettas also possess a specialized breathing organ called the \u003cstrong\u003elabyrinth organ\u003c\/strong\u003e — a structure above the gills that allows them to extract oxygen directly from atmospheric air at the surface. Unobstructed \u003cstrong\u003esurface access is a biological necessity\u003c\/strong\u003e. Never cover the surface so completely that a betta cannot reach open air.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"warn-box\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e⚠ Filter Flow:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bettas are native to slow-moving rice paddies and still forest pools — strong current stresses them, exhausts their fins, and can prevent them from swimming comfortably. Use a \u003cstrong\u003egentle sponge filter\u003c\/strong\u003e or baffle a hang-on-back filter to reduce outflow. The surface should ripple gently — not churn.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are genuine habitat for bettas, not merely decoration. Floating plants provide shade and surface cover that significantly reduces stress. \u003cstrong\u003eIndian almond leaves\u003c\/strong\u003e (Catappa) are particularly valuable — they release tannins that replicate the natural blackwater chemistry of betta habitat and have mild antibacterial and antifungal properties. Add one or two leaves per 5 gallons and replace monthly. The slight amber tint they produce is entirely natural and beneficial.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tip-box\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding \u0026amp; Care Tip:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eHikari Betta Gold\u003c\/strong\u003e is our recommended staple food. Feed \u003cstrong\u003eone pellet at a time\u003c\/strong\u003e — if your betta eats it, offer another, up to \u003cstrong\u003ethree pellets twice daily\u003c\/strong\u003e. If they do not eat a pellet, do not add another — remove uneaten food promptly. Fasting one day per week supports digestive health.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor treats, rotate \u003cstrong\u003eHikari Frozen Bloodworms\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eHikari Frozen Baby Brine Shrimp\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003eHikari Frozen Daphnia\u003c\/strong\u003e 2–3 times per week.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen setting up your betta's new aquarium, add \u003cstrong\u003eSeachem Betta Basics\u003c\/strong\u003e to the water — a betta-specific conditioner that neutralizes chlorine and chloramines and provides a slime coat supplement. It does not contain aloe vera, which can coat the water surface and interfere with a betta's surface breathing. Use it at every water change going forward.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDragon Scale Care:\u003c\/strong\u003e The Dragon Scale gene causes thick metallic scaling that continues to develop throughout the fish's life. In some individuals this scaling can gradually encroach across the eyes — a condition known as \u003cstrong\u003eDiamond Eye\u003c\/strong\u003e or Dragon Eye — progressively reducing and eventually eliminating vision. This is genetic and irreversible; not every Dragon Scale betta develops it, but the risk is real and worth monitoring. Check eye clarity regularly — early signs are a whitening or clouding of the normally dark iris.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe strongly recommend establishing a \u003cstrong\u003etap-and-feed routine\u003c\/strong\u003e from the start: tap gently on the glass before each feeding to signal that food is coming, then offer a pellet. A sighted Dragon Scale betta that learns this association early will be far better prepared to continue feeding normally if Diamond Eye does develop — the conditioned behavior carries over even as vision is lost.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe raised scale texture also means debris and bacteria can lodge between scales more easily than on smooth-scaled fish. Clean water, low nitrates, and regular inspection of the scale surface for any lifting, redness, or irregularity are especially important for Dragon Scale bettas.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOne benefit: the metallic Dragon Scale iridescence shows best under moderate to good directional lighting — unlike most bettas that look best in subdued light, Dragon Scale bettas genuinely reward good illumination.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMale bettas cannot be housed together — one male per tank, always. With peaceful, non-fin-nipping community fish in a larger aquarium they can coexist well: small Corydoras, Ember Tetras, small rasboras, and snails are typically compatible. Avoid confirmed fin-nippers such as Tiger Barbs and Serpae Tetras, and brightly colored fish with flowing fins that a betta may perceive as a rival.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost fish are kept. Bettas are known. Give one the right environment, learn its habits, and you will find yourself checking on it not out of obligation but out of genuine curiosity about what it is doing. That is the experience that has made \u003cem\u003eBetta splendens\u003c\/em\u003e one of the most kept fish on Earth for over a thousand years — and it starts with the fish you choose.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"spec-table\"\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\u003cth colspan=\"2\"\u003eFancy Dragon Plakat Male Betta\u003c\/th\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner — Easy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMales must be kept one per tank\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdult Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2.5–3.0 inches (6–7.5 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGroup Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOne male only — no other male bettas\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIdeal Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e78–82°F (25–28°C) — heater required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIdeal pH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIdeal GH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–12 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIdeal KH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–8 dKH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStaple Food\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHikari Betta Gold — one pellet at a time, up to 3 pellets twice daily; remove uneaten food promptly\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTreat \/ Supplement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHikari Frozen Bloodworms; Hikari Frozen Baby Brine Shrimp; Hikari Frozen Daphnia (weekly for digestive health)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and surrounding Southeast Asia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNotes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n    \u003cstrong\u003eFiltration:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gentle sponge filter or baffled HOB only — no strong current\u003cbr\u003e\n    \u003cstrong\u003eSurface Access:\u003c\/strong\u003e Required at all times — labyrinth organ breathes atmospheric air\u003cbr\u003e\n    \u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5 gallons — 10 gallons recommended\u003cbr\u003e\n    \u003cstrong\u003eNew Tank:\u003c\/strong\u003e Seachem Betta Basics at setup and every water change (no aloe vera)\u003cbr\u003e\n    \u003cstrong\u003eEnrichment:\u003c\/strong\u003e Indian almond leaves; floating plants; live plant in tank\u003cbr\u003e\n    \u003cstrong\u003eDragon Scale:\u003c\/strong\u003e Monitor eyes regularly for Diamond Eye (scale growth over cornea); establish tap-and-feed routine early; directional lighting enhances metallic scale appearance\n  \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Cuboid Nature Aquarium","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48011234804023,"sku":"Betta Splendens","price":36.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/cuboidstore.com\/products\/fancy-dragon-plakat-male-betta","provider":"Cuboid Aquatics LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}