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There are many varieties of betta fish to choose from, but the pink betta fish is one of the rarest and most spectacular.

Betta fish in general are some of the most enigmatic and interactive of all aquarium species. What makes them so special? The Pink Betta Fish and all other Betta varieties show sexual dimorphism, meaning the male and female look different and even have different behavior.

But for those who want more than the classic red or blue betta, varieties like the pink orchid betta offer something unique.

These fish don’t just differ in appearance, they have their own needs and sub-varieties too. So, read on for a guide to basic care, feeding, tank setup, and even how to breed this magnificent Betta variety.

Breed Overview

Tank Setup And Maintenance

The first thing to know about Betta behavior is these fish really need space.

People have actually bred the modern Betta Fish for usage in fights to be more aggressive than wild Betta Fish. As a result, you cannot keep more than one male Betta Fish in a tank, regardless of the color.With that stated, here is a basic care guide:

1. Basic Parameters

The best conditions for any betta Fish mimic those found in the rice paddies where their wild ancestors lived. These roughly correspond to the metrics below:

2. Planting And Tankmates

A Betta should ideally live in a well-planted tank with plenty of hiding places. Driftwood, stones, and caves are always popular with these intelligent and explorative fish.

Luckily, as these fish are carnivores, they don’t uproot plants but prefer them to hide in. Good species that also come from Southeast Asia include Java fern and Java moss.

Male Betta Fish are best if you separate them from other Bettas. However, females can be kept in a sorority tank. Ideal tankmates are small schooling fish like teras or harlequin rasboras, and bottom-dwellers like kuhli loaches. This is because the betta fish pink variety can be a target of fin nipping.

A good rule of thumb is that any fish with showy fins can become a target for your Betta’s aggression, whereas dull-colored fish with small tails tend to be safe.

Choosing Your Pink Betta Fish:

You may think you would be lucky even to find any variety of pink betta fish. However, did you know that they actually come in many variations?

From coloration and exact hue to tail type, there is plenty to choose from. Despite the rarity of these fish, you will be able to find the one that is perfect for you.

1. Pink Orchid Betta Fish

The pink orchid betta fish is one particular kind that never fails to impress. What makes this fish stand out are the features that give it its distinctive name.

This spectacular variety pattern of rings of different shades of pink on its tail, where pale pink sits next to white and a darker shade of magenta.

If you are certain you have found a true Pink Orchid Betta, this can be a great opportunity to set up a community tank. This is especially so with tankmates of another species.

As luck would have it,  the pink orchid betta is smaller and less aggressive than other sorts of Betta Fish (including other pink varieties!)

2. Betta Fish Pink Female vs Pink Male

So, you might have your heart set on a Pink Betta Fish. But do you want a female or a male?

If you prefer community tanks, then a female can be an underrated option. But for the iconic male, tankmates must be of a different species.

Either way, the male and female of the Pink Betta Fish are similar to other Bettas. However, due to the reduced aggression of the Pink Orchid Betta Fish, it can be a good sorority option.

3. Betta Fish Tail Types

Pink Betta Fish come in all the different tail varieties of any other Betta Fish color. These include crowntail, plakat, halfmoon, and veilteil. However, due to the comparative rarity of the pink betta fish, it may be harder to find your desired tail type than if you were after a red or blue Betta.

4. Pink Betta Fish Price

More common colors of Betta Fish tend to start at around USD. However, for the Pink Betta Fish, expect to pay up to 20 or 30 USD for this rare variety! Likewise, whilst you can find more common Betta Fish in pet shops, you may have to consult a specialist breeder for a pink betta.

Feeding

Betta fish are obligate carnivores, meaning they can only eat protein. They mostly enjoy small aquatic invertebrates, such as daphnia, tubifex worms, and brine shrimp. However, the basis of their diet should be specialist Betta pellets with protein 2-3 times per week.

Only ever feed what your fish can eat within 5 minutes and clean up all uneaten food!

• Color-Enhancing Foods For Pink Betta Fish

If you have a rare betta fish pink variety, you likely want to know how to preserve its beautiful color. Luckily, you can do this with diet. One of the best color-enhancing foods is salmon. As the Betta only has a small mouth, you can chop it up into tiny pieces and feed it in moderation, such as once or twice a week.

Behavior And Temperament

There are lots of myths about the betta. There is a grain of truth in all of them, such as how they can be aggressive. However, their temperament is so much more complex than this!

Want to know more about their softer side?

Betta Fish are normally active and inquisitive. Although their long tails prevent them from swimming very fast, they nevertheless are playful and intelligent. Sometimes you may see them resting near the bottom or top of the tank, which tends to be when they are asleep.

However, if they continue to show lethargy beyond this, take note. If you are persistently wondering why your Betta Fish is not moving, changes to their normal active behavior can be a sign of disease.

Why Is My Betta Attacking My Other Fish?

A Betta Fish, male or female, may attack tankmates of any species.

At first, you may write your fish off as ‘aggressive’. But did you know there is often more than meets the eye?

Aggressive behavior is generally because your fish sees other species as a threat. This can happen to tankmates with flashy fins. Alternatively, poor water conditions and overcrowding can cause competition between fish. If the problem persists after a water change, it may be time to invest in a larger tank.

Author’s Note: In a sorority’ tank, one thing that raises the risk of aggression is owning two fish of the same or a similar color. This is why you will generally only see sorority tanks with fish of a rainbow of different colors. Female Betta Fish generally perceive females of the same color as a threat. Therefore, it is best to keep only one female pink Betta Fish in a sorority tank.

Pests And Diseases

Like any ornamental fish, Pink Betta Fish can be prone to pests and diseases. These can range from fungal infections to bacterial infections like fin rot.

1. Fin Rot

Fin rot is an unpleasant bacterial infection that causes ragged, sore edges on the fins of your fish. Betta fish can be prone to it in dirty water. Fin rot can be treated by isolating the fish in a separate tank (if your fish has tankmates) and using over-the-counter antibacterial medication.

2. Velvet Disease

Unlike fin rot, velvet disease is caused by a protozoan parasite as opposed to bacteria. However, it is just as important to spot it quickly. You may not immediately notice something abnormal as this disease looks like metallic gold dust on your fish’s scales, giving it it’s other name ‘gold dust disease’ or ‘coral disease’. However, this is not a normal pattern of coloration for pink Betta Fish.

Like fin rot, it can be treated with over-the-counter medication.

Why Is My Pink Betta Fish Turning White?

There are many reasons why a Betta Fish can change color, ranging from old age to disease. However, a color change to white is generally due to poor water conditions and stress. These circumstances generally mean your fish does not have the energy to maintain its color.

Sometimes, poor lighting can also be a reason that your fish loses color. Lighting that is either too bright or too dim can cause a color change, so it’s best to mimic the quality of natural light. This is generally plain muted white which mimics the light of a cloudy day and can be achieved with an LED light.

Do Betta Fish Change Color With Age?

The color of any Betta Fish is determined by multiple kinds of specialist pigment-producing cells, varying from melanophores to iridophores and xanthophores. These are responsible for the huge range of the betta fish pink variety and other varieties, colors, and patterns.

However, as your fish gets older, its metabolism slows, meaning that it has less energy overall to maintain bodily functions.

Author’s Note: As color is not something that is necessary for the fish’s survival, if your fish doesn’t have the energy to maintain it, it may be one of the first things to go. Other signs your fish is growing old are that it is resting more, as well as eating less, as it simply needs less food.

Breeding

Although Betta Fish of any variety look delicate and exotic, they are actually very easy to breed and highly fertile. Read on for a rough guide on how to do this at home. Breeding Betta Fish should nevertheless still only be attempted when you have experience of breeding other, more beginner-friendly fish like mollies.

1. Introducing Your Breeding Pair

To see if a breeding pair is ready to mate, it is best to introduce them on either side of a tank divider. This separates them but allows them to still see each other, thus preventing any aggression.

By this stage, you should already have prepared a breeding tank. You should also have available a separate tank for the fry (once they are hatched), and you should know where you are planning to return both your male and female Betta after mating has taken place.

2. How To Tell If Betta Fish Are Ready To Mate

It’s important to know how Betta Fish mate overall to tell if a particular breeding pair is ready. There are many signs of willingness to mate. You can tell that the male is interested as he will demonstrate a courtship dance.

Likewise, the female will show her attraction to the male with striped bands of color appearing on her body. You may also see that she is gravid (carrying eggs) and notice the ‘ovipositor’ or egg spot on her stomach, a specialist organ from where she releases the eggs.

Once you are sure your fish are ready to mate, you can take away the tank divider. At this point, you will see the male build a bubble nest.

Fish can be choosy in courtship just like humans!

Did you know the female will either accept or reject him as a mate based on how satisfied she is with his nest? If she accepts him, the fish will intertwine their bodies and the female will release her eggs. After this stage, the male will spray his milt over them.

3. Caring For Hatchlings

Looking after pink betta fish fry is much the same as the fry of any other Betta variety. You will need a large tank for them and specialist fry food such as infusoria, a mixture of plankton and invertebrates that you can purchase online.

The one thing to always make sure of is to separate the fry at about two months. At this point, they will have started to develop colors. They will also begin to be aggressive toward each other.

Author’s Note: Depending on individual temperament, you can raise Betta Fish females together in sorority tanks. This can be a way of saving space if you are a first-time breeder. In fact, some fishkeepers have found that Betta Fish raised together tend to be less aggressive, which can be a bonus if you plan on selling the fish you breed.

Are Pink Betta Fish Hatchlings Always Pink?

It’s very hard to determine what color your hatchlings are going to be. The Betta Fish has a large genome and there is room for a huge variety of colors. In addition, ‘jumping genes’ that change position on the genomes can cause marbling or bicolor Betta Fish.

However, as the Pink Betta Fish is relatively rare, if you cross it with a Betta Fish of another color, you sadly will get very few other pink betta fish.

Final Thoughts

The pink Betta Fish is not one of the most common Betta varieties. Nevertheless, if you are lucky enough to track one down, you will find they make a great pet for both seasoned Betta Fish owners and newcomers to the species.

Not just limited to the delicate-looking pink orchid betta, you will find this variety spans tail shapes, different patterns, and fin lengths. In fact, every pink Betta is a unique and stunning addition to your aquarium.

Frequently Asked Questions