Meet theGreen and Black Dragon Plakat Male Betta(Betta splendens) — a stocky, short-finned showpiece with a metallic green-and-black “dragon scale” body and the bold personality bettas are famous for. Hardy, beginner-friendly, and full of attitude, plakats are the original wild-form fin shape, which makes them stronger swimmers and a little less prone to fin damage than longfin varieties. Browse more live freshwater fish at Squeaky’s Aquatics.
Care Guide
- Tank Size:5-gallon minimum; 10 gallons or larger is ideal for an enriched, planted setup.
- Water Temperature:76–82°F. Bettas are tropical and need a steady heater — room temperature is too cold.
- pH:6.5–7.5
- Hardness:5–20 dGH
- Filtration:Gentle flow only. A sponge filter or low-flow internal filter prevents the male’s flowing finnage from being battered.
- Décor:Live or silk plants, smooth driftwood, and at least one cave or hide. Avoid anything sharp.
- Lid Required:Yes — bettas are skilled jumpers.
- Diet:Carnivore. Feed a high-quality betta pellet as a staple, supplemented with frozen or freeze-dried bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia 2–3 times per week.
Specifications
| Common Name | Green and Black Dragon Plakat Male Betta |
| Scientific Name | Betta splendens |
| Family | Osphronemidae |
| Care Level | Beginner |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Origin | Southeast Asia (Thailand, Cambodia) |
| Lifespan | 3–5 years |
| Adult Size | 2.5–3 inches |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive (territorial) |
| Water Type | Freshwater |
Compatibility
Male bettas should be kept as the only betta in the tank — they will fight other males and harass female bettas. In a 10-gallon or larger community, a single plakat male can usually be housed with calm, non-fin-nipping tank mates that don’t share his coloring or finnage.
- Good tank mates:nerite snails, peaceful corydoras, kuhli loaches, ember tetras, harlequin rasboras, and otocinclus.
- Caution:dwarf shrimp may be eaten — adult amano shrimp do best.
- Avoid:other male bettas, female bettas (in anything under 20+ gallons of heavily planted space), guppies, fancy goldfish, fin nippers like tiger barbs and serpae tetras, and any aggressive cichlids.
Recommended Foods & Supplies
- New Life Spectrum Betta Semi-Floating Pellet — staple daily food
- Seachem NutriDiet Betta w/ Probiotics — gut health support
- Seachem Prime Water Conditioner — dechlorinator for every water change
- Aquatop Pisces 25W Nano Heater — perfect for 5–10 gallon betta setups
- Hikari Dark Rock Cave — hiding spot every betta appreciates
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a plakat betta?
“Plakat” is the short-finned form ofBetta splendens, closer to the wild type. They have stockier bodies, shorter finnage, and tend to be stronger swimmers than longfin varieties.
Can I keep this betta in a small bowl?
No. Bettas need a heated, filtered tank of at least 5 gallons. They are tropical fish, not bowl decorations.
Do plakat bettas need a lid?
Yes — bettas are excellent jumpers. A tight-fitting lid or hood is essential.
How often should I do water changes?
25% weekly in a properly filtered 5–10 gallon tank, treated with a dechlorinator like Seachem Prime.
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