Wild Emerald Betta

Wild Emerald Betta

• Common Name: Wild Emerald Betta
• Scientific Name: Betta smaragdina
• Origin: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia
• Care Level: Easy to Intermediate
• Temperament: Males are territorial, females are generally peaceful
• Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallons (38 liters) for a pair
• pH: 5.5 – 7.0
• Temperature: 24 – 28°C (75 – 82°F)
• Water Hardness: Soft to slightly hard
• Maximum Size: 6 – 7 cm (2.5 – 3 inches)
• Diet: Carnivorous – live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia
• Tankmates: Best kept alone, in pairs, or with very peaceful species

Description

The Wild Emerald Betta (Betta smaragdina), also known as the Emerald Green Betta or "Smargadine Betta", is a stunning wild species of Betta native to Southeast Asia. It’s celebrated for its shimmering emerald-green iridescence that dances across its body and fins under the right lighting.

Unlike the fancy long-finned domestic Bettas, Wild Emerald Bettas maintain a more natural body shape with shorter fins and a sleeker profile. Their coloration is more subtle in low light but bursts with metallic blue and green hues in well-maintained tanks.

This species prefers blackwater or tannin-rich environments that resemble their native habitat – slow-flowing forest streams and rice paddies. Providing plenty of hiding places with driftwood, leaf litter, and floating plants will make them feel secure and enhance natural behavior.

Males are territorial, especially during breeding, and may spar with each other. If keeping a pair, ensure the tank is large enough with multiple escape routes for the female.

The Wild Emerald Betta is a rewarding species for aquarists interested in natural setups and wild-type fish. Their calm demeanor, manageable size, and dazzling coloration make them an excellent addition to biotope or low-tech aquariums.

Above images for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.

Please note: The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Swell shop, or available for collection from the shop. Species sold at our Swell store will differ from ones available to order to your door.

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