Halfmoon Betta Female

Female Halfmoon Betta Care Guide

The Halfmoon Betta is named for its 180-degree tail spread, creating a “half-moon” shape when flared. While males are more dramatically finned, female Halfmoons still show beautiful coloration and a toned-down version of the wide tail — and are often more adaptable to community life or sororities (with care).

Quick Overview

• Common Name: Female Halfmoon Betta

• Scientific Name: Betta splendens

• Origin: Thailand, Cambodia (captive-bred variant)

• Size: 5–6 cm

• Lifespan: 2–4 years (up to 5+ with excellent care)

• Temperament: Semi-aggressive, curious

• Care Level: Easy to moderate

• Color Variety: Wide range (red, blue, koi, marble, pastel, etc.)

Tank Setup

Live or silk plants (Java fern, Anubias, floating plants) help them feel secure.

Water Parameters

️ Diet

Female Halfmoons are carnivorous, just like their male counterparts.

• Staple Foods: Betta pellets, micro-pellets (high protein, no fillers)

• Treats (2–3× per week):

  • Frozen brine shrimp

  • Bloodworms (use sparingly)

  • Daphnia

• Feeding Schedule: 1–2 small meals per day

• Avoid: Overfeeding — they can bloat easily

Behavior & Tank Mates

Female Halfmoons tend to be less aggressive than males, but can still be territorial.

Housing options:

• Solo tank (best for show fish or monitoring health)

• Sorority: 4–6+ females (requires 40+ L, lots of hiding spots, monitoring)

• Peaceful community (with compatible species)

Good tank mates:

• Small, peaceful fish: rasboras, ember tetras, corydoras

• Snails: nerite, mystery

• Shrimp: sometimes, if betta is not nippy

Avoid:

• Male bettas (unless breeding, and only temporarily)

• Fin-nippers (like tiger barbs)

• Large or aggressive fish

Breeding (Advanced)

• Female Halfmoons can breed with males of similar or complementary lines

• Requires a separate breeding tank (20+ L) with floating plants and bubble nest area

• Male builds bubble nest

• Female lays eggs, then is removed

• Male tends nest until fry are free-swimming

⚠️ Breeding bettas is challenging, requires conditioning both fish and raising delicate fry.

✅ Summary (Metric)