Koi betta fish: A complete guide

 

Kois are beautiful fish, prized for their marbled coloring. However, their large size can be a challenge for home aquarium hobbyists.

When you see the name koi betta, it's not surprising if you're confused about what type of fish it is. A koi betta is not a hybrid of a koi carp and a betta fish. A koi betta is a betta, not a koi. However, a koi betta has a marble coloration similar to the coloration you might find on a koi fish. Compared to other bettas, Koi bettas tend to be short-finned more often than long-finned. 

Male vs. female koi betta

There are not any such main differences in male vs female koi betta. Male and female koi betta fish have the same differences as regular bettas. However, you may find that male koi bettas might have brighter coloring displays when compared to females. Females often have a more streamlined look than males with fancy flared fins. They tend to be shorter than their male betta fish counterparts, with wider bodies and shorter fins.

Looking at the ventral fin is another way to tell the difference. Male bettas have more comprehensive, longer, and bulkier ventral fins. Meanwhile, females usually have thinner and more slender ventral fins.

Koi and marble betta

Koi bettas are a variation of marble bettas. As such, koi bettas come in a variety of marbled color patterns. Marbling is caused by a “jumping gene” or transposon that makes their coloring unstable. Throughout their life, the gene switches pigmentation on and off so that the coloring changes with time. Thus, there’s no guarantee that they will keep the same pattern. Some betta fish enthusiasts say that koi betta colors are also more distinct and sharp than regular marble betta colors. 

A marble betta is listed as a koi betta because the marble patterns are similar to that of a koi fish. Koi bettas tend to be more expensive than regular marble bettas. Since their offspring don't always have koi patterns, breeding them can have unpredictable results. 

Galaxy koi betta

The galaxy koi betta is the most common type of koi betta. Their name comes from their iridescent scaling and galaxy-like coloration patterns. Instead of just the ordinary white, black and red, you’ll find an entire galaxy of colors, including blues, greens, and turquoise.

Koi plakat betta

The koi plakat betta is a popular type of plakat because of its ability to have five or more colors on the same fish. Koi plakat bettas have shorter fins and tails than other betta varieties. Their tails are more rounded, making them look less frilly than some betta fish varieties, including the galaxy koi betta.a 

Some people ask, "how big do koi bettas get”? Well, Koi bettas can reach up to 3 inches long, the same size as regular bettas. However, if you get a koi plakat, it’s more likely to be on the shorter end of the betta fish size range at 2-3 inches long.