Male Elephant Ear Betta 5cm

Male Elephant Ear Betta

The elephant ear betta, also known as dumbo betta, is a popular species of freshwater fish all over the world. These fish are known for their super long, flowing fins and come in a variety of colours and patterns. The elephant ear bettas take this one lever further with their stunning pectoral fins that proportionally really do look like elephant ears. These bettas would make for the perfect tabletop aquarium pet or display species in a community system.

The elephant ear betta is known for its striking appearance and stunning fin structure. The males are particularly beautiful, with long, ruffled, flowing fins that give them a regal and elegant look which is further enhanced with the frilly pectoral fins. They come in a wide range of colours, including red, blue, green, purple, white, and in most cases, a mix of all the listed colours! In addition to their appearance, male Bettas are known for their attitude-filled behaviour. They can be especially aggressive towards other male bettas as well. Therefore, it is recommended to keep a single male Betta in a tank or to introduce them to a community tank with other peaceful species. These elephant ear bettas when swimming look like they are fluttering in the aquarium and truly look magical much like one particular flying elephant.

Breeding elephant ear betta in captivity is a challenging but rewarding experience. Males build bubble nests at the surface of the water and entice the females to lay their eggs in the nest. After spawning, the male Betta will guard the eggs and newly hatched fry until they are strong enough to swim on their own. The ideal breeding tank should be at least 30 litres, with a temperature of 26-28°C and a pH of 6.5-7.5. The male and female Betta should be conditioned with a variety of high-protein foods, such as bloodworms and brine shrimp, before breeding.

Tank Recommendations for your Male Elephant Ear Betta
The ideal tank size for a single elephant ear betta is at least 40 litres. A well-planted tank with plenty of hiding places, such as caves and driftwood, is recommended to provide the Betta with a sense of security. The water should be kept at a temperature of 24-28°C, with a pH of 6.5-7.5. There is a common misconception that betta fish can be kept in small bowls or cups however these are fish that need clean, well-maintained water. Whilst they can tolerate minor fluctuations in water quality, they do require proper filtration and warm water.

Suitable Tank Buddies
Elephant ear betta is aggressive towards other male Bettas and other fish with long, flowing fins. Therefore, it's best to keep them with peaceful, non-aggressive species.

Usually Compatible
Small, peaceful species such as neon tetras, cherry barbs, corydoras, and guppies.

Sometimes Compatible
Fast-moving or semi-aggressive species such as zebra danios, harlequin Rasboras, and small rasboras may be kept with caution as they can sometimes nip at the fins of Bettas.

Rarely Compatible:
Larger, aggressive species such as cichlids, angelfish, and larger tetras should be avoided, as they may attack or intimidate the Betta.

Feeding your Elephant Ear Betta
In the wild, bettas feed on small insects and crustaceans. In captivity, they can be fed a variety of foods, including high-quality flakes, pellets, and frozen foods such as brine shrimp and bloodworms. It is best to feed them small meals throughout the day, as they have small stomachs. Bettas are known for their unique feeding behaviour, which involves coming to the surface of the water and gulping down the food which is super fun to watch. Quite commonly these fish can be trained to hand feed or take food directly from tweezers.