{"product_id":"halfmoon-plakat-female-betta","title":"Halfmoon Plakat Female 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\"\u003eHalfmoon Plakat Female Betta\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tip-box\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Photo:\u003c\/strong\u003e The image shown is a representative example of this betta variety — it illustrates the tail type and an idea of the coloring you may receive. Bettas are living animals and each one is unique; color intensity, pattern, and fin development vary naturally from fish to fish.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\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\u003cstrong\u003eHalfmoon Plakat Female Betta\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eBetta splendens\u003c\/em\u003e) pairs the true Halfmoon trait — a tail capable of spreading to a full 180° or more when flared — with the short, compact fins of the Plakat form. It is a less common combination in females than the standard long-fin Halfmoon, but the shorter fins bring the same advantages seen in Plakat males: more agility, faster swimming, and fins that hold up better to daily activity. Color varies by individual.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"clear:both;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"fish-body\"\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\u003eSorority Tanks:\u003c\/strong\u003e Female bettas can coexist in groups called sororities and, with the right setup, can thrive together beautifully. Success depends on getting the conditions right from the start: a \u003cstrong\u003eminimum of 20 gallons\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003egroups of 5 or more\u003c\/strong\u003e (smaller groups concentrate aggression on fewer individuals), a \u003cstrong\u003eheavily planted aquarium\u003c\/strong\u003e with multiple sight-line breaks so no single fish can see or dominate the entire space, and all females \u003cstrong\u003eintroduced simultaneously\u003c\/strong\u003e rather than one at a time. The first two weeks are the critical period — monitor daily and be prepared to remove any fish that is being persistently singled out. With appropriate space and structure, a well-established sorority is one of the most dynamic and rewarding freshwater aquarium setups available.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFemale bettas also make excellent individual pets — equally personable, often more active and exploratory than males, and with the same strong keeper recognition and individual personality.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFemale bettas kept in peak condition will often show visible vertical barring on the body — a sign of readiness to spawn. Betta breeding is a rewarding intermediate project: condition both fish on live or frozen foods for one to two weeks before introduction, and introduce the pair visually first through a divider before allowing full contact. The male will build a \u003cstrong\u003ebubble nest\u003c\/strong\u003e at the surface — a cluster of mucus-coated bubbles where the eggs are placed and guarded after spawning. Once spawning is complete the female should be removed, as the male's paternal aggression will turn toward her. Fry require infusoria or micro-fry food for the first few days before graduating to baby brine shrimp, and young males must be separated at around 8–10 weeks as aggression between them develops. If you are interested in breeding your female betta, we are happy to provide guidance.\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 to protect water quality. 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. Daphnia acts as a gentle digestive aid — worth including weekly as bettas on an all-pellet diet can be prone to bloating.\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.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA female betta can be kept individually in a peaceful community tank, or as part of a sorority as described above. Good community tankmates include small Corydoras, Ember Tetras, small rasboras, and snails. Avoid confirmed fin-nippers such as Tiger Barbs and Serpae Tetras.\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\"\u003eHalfmoon Plakat Female Betta\u003c\/th\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#f3eafa;color:#3d1f5c;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #e8ddf2;\"\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #e8ddf2;\"\u003eBeginner — Easy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#f3eafa;color:#3d1f5c;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #e8ddf2;\"\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #e8ddf2;\"\u003eFemales can be kept singly or in sorority groups of 5+ (20 gallon minimum)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#f3eafa;color:#3d1f5c;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #e8ddf2;\"\u003eAdult Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #e8ddf2;\"\u003e2.0–2.5 inches (5–6.5 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#f3eafa;color:#3d1f5c;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #e8ddf2;\"\u003eGroup Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #e8ddf2;\"\u003eSingly, or sorority of 5 or more — never 2–4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#f3eafa;color:#3d1f5c;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #e8ddf2;\"\u003eIdeal Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #e8ddf2;\"\u003e78–82°F (25–28°C) — heater required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#f3eafa;color:#3d1f5c;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #e8ddf2;\"\u003eIdeal pH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #e8ddf2;\"\u003e6.5–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#f3eafa;color:#3d1f5c;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #e8ddf2;\"\u003eIdeal GH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #e8ddf2;\"\u003e3–12 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#f3eafa;color:#3d1f5c;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #e8ddf2;\"\u003eIdeal KH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #e8ddf2;\"\u003e2–8 dKH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#f3eafa;color:#3d1f5c;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #e8ddf2;\"\u003eStaple Food\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #e8ddf2;\"\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 style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#f3eafa;color:#3d1f5c;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #e8ddf2;\"\u003eTreat \/ Supplement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #e8ddf2;\"\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 style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#f3eafa;color:#3d1f5c;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #e8ddf2;\"\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #e8ddf2;\"\u003eThailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and surrounding Southeast Asia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#f3eafa;color:#3d1f5c;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #e8ddf2; vertical-align:top;\"\u003eNotes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #e8ddf2;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTail Form:\u003c\/strong\u003e True Halfmoon spread on short, compact Plakat fins — more active and durable than long-fin Halfmoon females\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFiltration:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gentle sponge filter or baffled HOB only — no strong current\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSurface Access:\u003c\/strong\u003e Required at all times — labyrinth organ breathes atmospheric air\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5 gallons single; 20 gallons minimum for sorority\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNew Tank:\u003c\/strong\u003e Seachem Betta Basics at setup and every water change (no aloe vera)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnrichment:\u003c\/strong\u003e Indian almond leaves; floating plants; live plant in tank\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Condition on live\/frozen foods; introduce visually first; remove female after spawning; fry need micro-fry food initially\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":52854070509879,"sku":"Betta Splendens","price":8.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/cuboidstore.com\/products\/halfmoon-plakat-female-betta","provider":"Cuboid Aquatics LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}