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Regarding the beauty of fish, not mentioning betta fish would be unfair. And that’s a whole different story when it comes to halfmoon betta fish. Betta fish are famous for their elegance, charm, and vibrant colors, but the halfmoon betta fish stand out most.
However, just like anything delicate and beautiful, they need extra care. Halfmoon bettas require proper care and attention to maintain their health and vibrant appearance. Therefore, we always focus on that before buying a halfmoon betta; one should consider the challenges that come with it.
What is a Half Moon Betta Fish?
As the name tells the story, what does a moon look like when its half circle is completed? It resembles a halfmoon betta fish that has fan-shaped tails, spreading to a whole 180-degree semicircle when fully flared. Its stunning, half-moon-shaped tail makes it a centerpiece in any aquarium. This elegant design makes them one of the most sought-after betta varieties.
Appearance of Halfmoon Betta Fish
The halfmoon betta fish have clear and distinct differences in appearance compared to other types of betta fish. Their long, flowing fins make them stand out among other betta varieties. Initially, they have undeveloped fins, but when added to home aquariums, their fins grow significantly like the curtains of fins.
The female halfmoons have shorter and more rounded shapes as compared to males, who have slender and elongated bodies. Typically, they grow to 2–3 inches (5–7.5 cm) in length.
Halfmoon bettas come in a wide range of colors, including Solid Colors (Red, blue, yellow, white, black, purple, green), Bi-color, Marble, Butterfly, Koi, and Dragon Scale.
Reasons for Choosing a Half Moon
My way of selecting a betta fish for my home aquarium has always been to consider both beauty and long-term well-being. Halfmoon betta fish undoubtedly have an attractive and stunning appearance, but their care may require extra effort. Their curious nature, flare displays, and intelligent and beautiful nature are the factors that compel betta lovers to choose them. However, their need for larger tanks and additional effort might pull you back from purchasing them.
From our experience with bettas, halfmoon bettas are not beginner-friendly, as the novices may lack the expertise needed for proper care. Therefore, only those with a strong commitment to providing the necessary care should consider keeping a halfmoon betta.
Challenges of Half Moon Betta Fish
The long-finned bettas, like rosetails or halfmoons, often wrestle while swimming because of their heavy fins. They are more prone to fin damage and struggle in strong water currents. They require dedicated care due to their delicate fins and sensitivity to water conditions. It’s better to provide a well-structured tank with resting spots near the surface to alleviate these potential issues.
Halfmoon Bettas are prone to specific health concerns due to their large fins and delicate genetics.
- Swim Bladder Disorder (due to overfeeding, constipation, or poor water quality).
- Fin Rot (more common in male halfmoons or other long-finned bettas due to bacterial or fungal infection that causes fin decay).
Types of Half Moon Betta Fish
Standard Half Moon
When someone talks about halfmoon betta fish, they usually mean this type. The standard, also known as classic halfmoon betta, has a broad, 180-degree tail spread that forms a perfect “D” shape when fully flared. These halfmoons have no other mutations as a result of breeding. Their long, flowing fins make them one of the most visually striking betta varieties.
Half Moon Plakat Betta
Similar to regular plakat bettas, halfmoon plakat betta fish have shorter fins, making them more active swimmers. Their tail shape does not have a full 180-degree spread like a standard halfmoon; however, they still have a D-shaped tail with a more compact and less delicate appearance. Due to selective breeding, it’s the largest betta fish in size that can grow 5-7 inches in length, almost twice the size of a regular betta fish.
Over Half Moon Betta
A halfmoon variety of overdone and elegant look, features a tail that extends beyond the typical 180-degree spread, often reaching 200 degrees or more. We don’t recommend having over halfmoon variety because of their large fins that can make swimming more challenging.
Dumbo Ear Half Moon
Dumbo Ear Halfmoon (DEHM) are the types of betta fish that have majestic fins all over the body and alluring big pectorals when they swim. Unfortunately, due to their long fins and pectorals, they require a lot of attention and care if you wish to maintain their form.
Double Tail Half Moon
My first betta in the home aquarium was a double tail halfmoon, whom I named Aurora. Its fins were split into two pieces, which appeared to have two different individual fins. Aurora had a curious nature and a masterpiece personality.
Unfortunately, it initially came with a swim bladder dysfunction, likely due to poor water quality and stress from the store cup. But he made a very quick turnaround in my captivity and was happily swimming and exploring in just two weeks. From what I had experienced throughout, this variety of halfmoon is easy to care for and is ideal for any level of hobbyist.
Rose tail Half Moon
As clear from the name, this variety of halfmoon has extravagant, feathery fins, the result of selective breeding. The beautiful tails of rose tail bettas are quite heavy, which can become a burden, leading to fin collapse and difficulty swimming. They are not experienced as interactive or active bettas and are often observed resting frequently on tank decorations due to the strain.
Other Types of Half Moon Bettas
Betta fish are bred with different combinations, leading to various mixed variants. The types of halfmoon bettas discussed above are based on the shape of their tails and fins. However, there are also halfmoon types based on color that result in bettas with solid or mixed colors. For instance, you may find halfmoon bettas with double tails in different colors, such as red, marble, dragon scale, and bi-color. There is no need to go into detail about color variants here, as we have already covered them in a separate article on betta fish types.
Taking Care of Half Moon
The large fins of halfmoon bettas, particularly rosetail or over halfmoon bettas, require special considerations.
- Frequent rest stops: Long fins can be tiring to carry while swimming. Provide broad-leafed plants near the surface for resting spots.
- Avoid plastic plants: Sharp edges can cause fin damage, leading to fin rot or tearing.
- Tank mates: A 5-gallon tank is too small for tankmates. A 10-gallon tank might support a snail or shrimp, but only if the betta is non-aggressive.
Water Parameters
My first halfmoon betta suffered from swim bladder issues, may be because of poor water quality. Water quality plays a crucial role in overall betta care, and for halfmoon bettas, it requires an even higher level of maintenance. Maintaining stable parameters within the optimal range is essential for ensuring good water quality. Never use distilled water, as it lacks essential minerals, which can lead to unstable pH and stress. Always use de-chlorinated tap water or re-mineralize distilled water before adding it to the tank.
Keep pH levels between 6.5-7.5 and regularly test ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels. Maintain a stable water temperature between 78-80°F (25-27°C) with a heater.
Because they have excessive fins on their bodies, halfmoon bettas are terrifically disturbed by water currents. So, one must ensure a low-flow filter like a sponge to prevent excessive water movement.
Decor & Hiding Spots
Bettas face difficulty swimming due to excessive fins; therefore, they should keep floating logs or leaf hammocks so that they can rest near the surface. Also, live plants like Anubias or Java Ferns with broad leaves allow bettas to sleep on them.
Don’t use plastic plants with sharp edges or other rough decorations that can tear the delicate fins of the fish. Another recommended thing for every betta type is to place hiding spots or caves within the tank to help bettas escape aggression.
Tank Size and Setup
In my opinion, halfmoon bettas need a bigger tank than other betta types. While a 5-gallon tank is considered the minimum recommended for any betta type, experts generally declare a 10-gallon tank as the minimum requirement for halfmoon bettas. Ideally, providing a larger tank, such as a 20-gallon, is more suitable, as it offers ample space to swim freely and helps them protect their delicate fins.
Tank Mates for Half Moon
Halfmoon Bettas have excessive fins covering their bodies, so choosing their tank mates carefully is essential. Avoid fin-nipping fish, such as fancy-tailed guppies, Tiger Barbs, Serpae Tetras, and Guppies with flashy tails, as they can damage the betta’s fins. Don’t add fast-swimming, hyperactive fish such as Danios, and Mollies, aggressive fish such as Cichlids, Gouramis, other male bettas, and Crayfish or large, aggressive shrimp.
Adding “cleaning crew” members like Siamese Algae Eaters (SAE) is an excellent option; however, ensure adequate space when considering them.
Plakat Halfmoons are active swimmers, so it’s best not to add tank mates initially. However, if you wish to introduce companions, choose the tank mates carefully.
Some aquarists recommend Blue Rams or Dwarf Cichlids as potential companions, but these species also have their own aggression levels that must be considered. Other tank mates to be considered are Neon Tetras, Ember Tetras, Harlequin Rasboras, Corydoras, Kuhli loaches, and Otocinclus.
Feeding Half Moon Betta Fish
Halfmoon betta fish are more susceptible to health risks, so don’t compromise over their feeding so that the health risks don’t get multiplied. A balanced diet is crucial for a Halfmoon Betta’s energy and fin health.
What to Feed
- High-protein betta pellets as a staple diet.
- Freeze-dried or frozen bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp as treats.
- Ultra-fresh shrimp patties or high-quality flakes can add variety.
- Feed 2-3 pellets twice a day, adjusting based on activity level.
- Avoid overfeeding to prevent bloating and swim bladder issues.
Breeding Half Moon Betta Fish
Breeding halfmoon bettas follows the same process as breeding regular bettas; however, additional careful setups are required to produce healthy fry. Halfmoons are sometimes bred to achieve beautiful traits that may not always benefit their health. Therefore, when selecting a breeding pair, choose a strong, disease-free male and female with ideal halfmoon traits. A larger tank of more than 10 gallons should be used instead of a standard hobby tank to provide ample breeding and fry development space.
Key Differences Between Male and Female Halfmoon Betta Fish
Male and female halfmoon betta fish have some key differences. Males have long, flowing caudal (tail), dorsal (top), and anal (bottom) fins, while females have shorter fins but still retain the halfmoon shape of 180-degrees. Male Halfmoons are highly aggressive towards other males or long-finned fish, often mistaking them for rivals. Female Halfmoons, on the other hand, are comparatively less aggressive or not aggressive at all and can be kept in sorority tanks.
Due to their long fins, male Halfmoon bettas are prone to health issues such as fin rot and swim bladder disorders. Conversely, females are less susceptible to fin damage; however, they may display horizontal stress stripes when anxious. Males often struggle with swimming, especially in strong currents, due to their large fins, while females are generally better swimmers with their shorter fins.
Other Differences
| Feature | Male Halfmoon Betta | Female Halfmoon Betta |
| Size | Generally larger (2.5–3 inches) | Slightly smaller (2–2.5 inches) |
| Finnage | Long, flowing fins; full 180-degree spread when flaring | Shorter fins, less dramatic spread |
| Body Shape | Slim and elongated | More rounded and compact |
| Color Intensity | Brighter, more vibrant colors | Slightly duller but still colorful |
| Temperament | More aggressive and territorial | Less aggressive but still territorial |
| Bubble Nesting | Builds bubble nests for breeding | Does not build bubble nests |
| Stress Stripes | Less visible under stress | More prominent horizontal stripes when stressed |
| Egg Spot (Ovipositor) | Absent | Present (a small white dot near the vent) |
