This guide shares details on caring for the Plakat Betta fish species, a small but active and interesting pet for your nano aquarium, including breeding tips for selective traits, tank setup, feeding, and much more!
Meet the Plakat: The Fighter with a Sleek Build
Short-finned Betta species like the Plakat Betta fish aren’t as popular as their large-finned counterparts, but deserve as much attention. Plakat Bettas share traits similar to wild Bettas, such as their multicolored scales, agility, and aggression.
However, you need to look beyond the aggressive roots and athletic look of this wild-type Betta splendens species to truly appreciate its uniqueness.
The Plakat Betta’s origin story started in Southeast Asia and spread worldwide. If you’re ready to join the movement and become a Plakat Betta keeper, this guide is for you.
Author’s Note: Check out our post on the The Top 10 Most Popular Betta Fish for even more beautiful Betta varieties!
How Big Does a Plakat Betta Get?
Because Betta fish’s physical traits are major in influencing hobbyists’ choice of pets, let’s analyze the Plakat Betta’s appearance.
Size
An average adult Plakat Betta size is 2.5 inches long, with a compact body and shorter fins. Although they all have straight-edged lower fins, some Plakat Bettas have half-moon tails. But their half-moon tails don’t spread and flop like other Bettas species.
Coloration
Like wild-type Bettas, Plakats have many colors, patterns, and sheens. Some are iridescent, while others are metallic. Some have blue-red mosaics, while others have orange-green and white marbled scales. Just pick the one that resonates most with you.
Abilities
The Plakat Betta’s streamlined body and structured fins make it an agile aquarium fish. It’s faster than other long-finned Bettas and can get aggressive to show territoriality or discomfort. So, pair them only with compatible tank mates in suitable enclosures, more on this later.
Ideal Tank Setup for a Plakat Champion
In brief, use a minimum tank size of 5 gallons, calm but oxygenated water (contrary to popular belief), hiding spots and plants for enrichment. Be sure to avoid strong currents and reflective surfaces that might trigger aggression.
Author’s Note: Check out our post on Innovation Betta Fish Tank Designs for some more inspiration!
Tank Size & Layout
Start by mapping out a layout and picking the right size for an ideal Plakat Betta tank setup. No, Betta fish can not thrive in tiny cups of water! So if you’re housing one Plakat, a standard small Betta fish aquarium holding a minimum of five gallons of water is suitable.
Ensure the water parameters are optimal by following these recommendations:
| Temperature | 75 – 82℉ |
| pH Level | 6.5 – 7 |
| Hardness | 3 – 10 dGH |
Be sure to use a Master Test Kit to routinely test your tank’s water quality then make adjustments as needed.
Finally, consider your Plakat Betta’s nature when designing the layout. As natural wildlings with aggressive tendencies, Plakats need an environment where they can express themselves and you can manage stressors.
Aquascaping
When aquascaping for aggressive fish like Plakat Bettas, focus on creating hiding spaces, enriching the ecosystem with evenly spaced live plants, and ensuring smooth water flow.
It encourages natural behaviors like strong swimming, interaction with the environment, and searching for food.
Feeding a Plakat: What Powers a Compact Fighter?
Found On Amazon
Preparing a nutritious Plakat Betta diet plan is similar to feeding other short-finned Bettas, but slight differences exist. Remember that this species is active and aggressive and needs a protein-rich diet to build muscles and strength.
An ideal carnivorous protein diet for Betta fish includes bloodworms, brine shrimps in frozen or live form, and high-quality Betta flakes and pellets as staples.
Author’s Note: For more on feeding your aquatic pets check out The Ultimate Guide to Fish Food: Pros and Cons & Best Choices!
Don’t overload your pets with all these foods at once. Instead, exercise portion control by serving them quantities they can finish in less than 3 minutes, which reduces waste and bloating. And depending on their metabolism, you can serve your Plakat Bettas once or twice daily.
Behavior & Personality: Bold, Fast, and Territorial
Most hobbyists avoid this species because of the Plaka Betta fish’s aggression, but there are more impressive qualities that make you reconsider it as a choice pet. So, let’s unravel some Plakat Betta personality traits.
- It’s an active freshwater fish that’ll mesmerize you with its agile swimming ability.
- It has strong territorial instincts and prefers solo setups or communities with clear territories.
- It’s selectively social with the right tank mates.
Before we discuss ideal tank companions, here’s an insight into breeding Plakat Bettas.
Breeding Plakat Bettas: Selective Traits & Challenges
These Plakat Betta breeding tips will help you reproduce this species in a controlled environment. Coming up we’ve highlighted common Betta reproduction behaviors to aid this process.
Author’s Note: Check out our post on the 9 Extremely Rare Types of Betta Fish for more beautiful Betta varieties!
Choosing the Breeding Pair
This is the stage to consider selective breeding for your preferred color, pattern, and fin structure. You can choose any healthy pair as your breeding duo if you don’t mind specific traits.
Conditioning
Prepare your Plakat Bettas for breeding by conditioning them with food and an ideal environment. Make regular and large water changes while increasing their protein intake, preferably with live and frozen foods.
Bubble-Nesting and Spawning
Male Plakat Bettas perform a unique courtship ritual through bubble nest formation to entice the females. If the female Plakat agrees to mate, these bubble-nesting Bettas will mate.
The female Plakat will lay eggs in the bubble nest while the male guards it until it hatches.
Common Health Issues in Plakats
Plakat Betta’s health management is easier than long-finned bettas but still requires specialized care. Despite being one of the hardy Betta types, their agile nature makes this species prone to common illnesses.
Look out for these common Plakat fish diseases:
- Fin rot from untreated fin damage
- Stress from poor water conditions
- Parasitic infections
So, even though they have shorter fins with less risk of damage, a poor tank layout can cause injuries from collisions or fin nipping from other tank mates.
Tank Mate Compatibility: What Fish Can Live with a Plakat?
To build a harmonious Plakat Betta community tank, you need small, peaceful species that won’t trigger aggression as companions.
These peaceful aquarium companions include snails, shrimp, or small rasboras. A trick for choosing compatible tank mates for Bettas is to make a checklist of their care needs and personalities.
- What’s the ideal water temperature?
- What’s their appearance like?
- Are they social pets?
Avoid fin-nippers or other Bettas that can trigger a territorial conflict, and larger fish that can become predators.
Author’s Note: For more on Betta tankmates checkout The 13 Popular Betta Tankmates for a 5 Gallon Aquarium!
Conclusion: Is the Plakat Betta Right for Your Tank?
With the details in this comprehensive Plakat Betta care guide, you can add this unique pet to your home aquarium.
You hit the jackpot if you wanted a Betta fish for active tanks! Plakat Bettas’ vibrant colors, compact builds, and active nature are entertaining.
As a dedicated hobbyist looking for an aquarium fish with personality, I believe the Plakat Betta is an excellent pet choice. Are you ready for an exciting adventure?
Get one today, and share your experience in the comment box below.
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