Alien Betta is a colorful hybrid fish created from two different Betta species. It brings rarity to the tank, with a striking appearance you won’t usually find with many Betta fish.
You only need to see them once to realize that you’re dealing with an exceptional freshwater fish. And once you’ve spotted them at a local pet store, it becomes almost impossible to ignore these stunning Betta fish.
There’s no denying Betta fish are among the most popular species in the aquarium community. But to fully understand what Alien Bettas truly want in captivity, you must first find out what’s involved in effective fish care.
And in this guide, we break down everything for you to help you make an informed decision.
Find out if Alien Bettas are the perfect pet fish buddies by reading our definitive guide, covering such crucial aspects as the fish’s size, lifespan, tank size, diet, behavior, tank mates, breeding, and more.
Species Overview
| Category | Rating |
| Family | Osphronemidae |
| Color | Black and brown patterns |
| Lifespan | Up to 4 years |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Behavior & Temperament | Aggressive |
| Compatibility | Other small freshwater fish |
| Food and Diet | Carnivore |
| Size | 2-3 inches |
| Tank Setup | Freshwater, mild current, 76°F |
| Tank Size (Minimum) | 5 gallons |
Alien Betta is a unique species of traditional Betta fish that’s beautiful to watch inside the tank. It is an anabantoid fish resulting from cross-breeding processes involving several Betta fish, commonly called the Betta splendens.
Typically, Alien Betta is purely chosen for its aesthetic appeal and is a popular choice among many aquarists looking to go beyond the monotony of the standard Betta fish.
Scientifically, Alien Betta is called the Betta splendens complex and belongs to the broader Osphronemidae family.
Like the parent fish, the male Alien Bettas are naturally aggressive but with vivid, metallic coloring that makes them stand out inside the tank. The most common Betta combination that has been used to create the Alien Bettas include B. smaragdina and B. mahachaiensis.
It’s not easy to determine the right proportion of Betta genetics involved in creating Alien Bettas, but there’s no doubt they are one of the most stunning species in the aquarium hobby.
Lifespan
A healthy Alien Betta can live for up to 4 years in captivity. While this is a solid lifespan compared to most freshwater fish species, it’s important to note that everything depends on the primary care guidelines.
You can always help your Alien Betta fish reach their optimal lifespan by creating the best environment. The choice of tank mates, diet, and general tank setup will influence the fish’s lifespan. Fortunately, you can maintain pristine conditions by following a simple routine.
Appearance
Of all the Betta fish species, Alien varieties are among the most beautiful and can be a fantastic addition to ordinary tanks with their rare, striking appearance. They exist in multiple color patterns.
Because they result from cross-breeding, the primary fish color can be bright purple, orange, yellow, or green. But no matter the color choice, the selected species will always brighten up your tank.
Besides, they have shiny brown or black patterns on top of the primary.
Like most Betta fish, Alien Bettas have brilliantly colored, alluring tail fins, readily flowing when the fish’s swimming. Usually, the female Alien Bettas appear smaller than the males, with a perfectly rounded shape.
Size
Alien Bettas are small fish, measuring around 3 inches when fully mature. Be sure to provide pristine conditions to help them reach full maturity. This entails the tank setup, tank mates, and diet.
Alien Betta Care
Alien Betta care should be easy to achieve no matter your experience level. Simply maintain the water parameters within the recommended range, provide a balanced diet, and give them suitable tank mates. In the next section, we cover these guidelines in detail;
Tank Size
Alien Bettas favor enough swimming space when kept in home aquariums despite their small body sizes. They will be happy inside a 5-gallon tank but are more comfortable with a large aquarium.
The biggest disadvantage of small tanks is that the water conditions keep fluctuating, putting your fish at more risk of suffering from new health issues.
In the worst-case scenario, overfeeding can easily contaminate the tank water compared to a large, 20-gallon tank. That’s why you need the right tank setup from the start.
Water Parameters
Alien Bettas thrive under ideal tank water conditions. They don’t favor hard waters and will appreciate a neutral pH. In summary, always ensure the water parameters don’t exceed the following levels;
- Water Temperature: 75°F-76°F
- Water Hardness: 5-20 dGH
- Water pH: 6.8-7.0
The easiest way to ensure the water parameters remain within the healthy range is to monitor the tank water regularly. An investment in the right aquarium test kit would be a smart decision at this point to help you monitor these parameters seamlessly.
What to Put in Their Tank?
First things first, Alien Bettas love enough hiding spots in the form of rocks, caves, and crevices. They appreciate gentle water movement inside the tank, so you should maintain the water current at a minimum.
Because the Wild Bettas originate from hot, shallow areas with deeply planted waters, your Alien Bettas will favor plenty of vegetation. And some of the best options here include Java Fern, Java Moss, and Amazon Swords.
Fortunately, Betta fish leaves you with little to worry about substrate choice. So, you can settle for fine gravel or sand, depending on what works best. The type of plants introduced to the aquarium will also determine the substrate choice.
The right decorative elements are excellent for Alien Bettas if you don’t go overboard. Generally, you should stick with rocks and driftwood in the right quantities.
Common Diseases
While naturally hardy, Alien Bettas can still suffer from common parasitic, bacterial, and fungal infections. Most of these conditions result from reduced tank water quality. And for that reason, aquarists play the biggest role in maintaining a healthy fish community.
While you can use the right medications to manage bacterial infections, other important management strategies include quarantining the infected fish before cycling and changing at least half of the total tank volume.
If the disease symptoms persist, it will be wiser to consult an experienced vet.
What Do Alien Bettas Eat?
Like most Betta fish, Alien Bettas are a carnivorous species, feeding on any meaty products inside the tank. So, think of high-quality meaty foods like mosquito larvae, daphnia, tubifex, brine shrimp, and bloodworms.
You can stick with a twice a day feeding routine, only giving your Betta fish small amounts of food every time.
Behavior & Temperament
When people talk about Betta fish, the first thing that comes to mind is the male’s aggression that sometimes sees them attack other species of their kind.
That’s also true for the male Alien Bettas, a naturally aggressive fish that will easily attack other male species on sight. When this happens, it’s almost always attributed to territorial control.
Fortunately, aquarists can limit such fights by keeping every male Betta in their own space.
If you want to include Alien Bettas as part of a large community, the choice of tank mates will be vital.
Alien Bettas are active swimmers and will want to explore your aquarium if they are comfortable at home. If they suddenly become erratic or fast, they are probably troubled or feel threatened inside the tank.
Alien Betta Tank Mates
As mentioned before, the male Alien Bettas are aggressive, especially towards other male species in the same aquarium. However, they can survive with small, calmer species inside the tank.
On the other hand, the female Alien Bettas have multiple tank mates, considering they can readily cohabitate with many fish in the same habitat. Even better, you can pair the male and female Betta fish in the same aquarium.
But if you want to explore your options beyond the Betta family, some of the best fish species include the following;
- Kuhli Loaches
- Guppies
- Ghost Shrimp
- Cory Catfish
- Dwarf Gouramis
- Barbs
- Tetras
- Danios
- Platies
Breeding
Many aquarists will agree that Alien Betta breeding isn’t the easiest thing to do in captivity. Firstly, you need male and female fish of the same color to start thinking about successful breeding.
One male is enough to complete the breeding process as long as mature females surround him. Typically, the male fish will start by creating a bubble nest on the water surface before darting around to win over the female’s attention.
If he’s successful, the female fish will lay her eggs on the tank décor. The male fish are responsible for gathering the freshly laid eggs and putting them in their bubble nest. If everything goes well, you can expect successful hatching in as little as 2-3 days.
Final Thoughts
Alien Betta is an exceptional hybrid fish that deserves more attention from fish lovers around the world. You will never get enough of its colorful look, and when paired with the right tank mates, it can be an excellent addition to the aquarium.
You should have a thriving Alien Betta community as long as you create pristine living conditions, introduce the right tank mates, and maintain a steady supply of high-quality fish food.
If you’re still unsure if these fish would thrive inside your tank, feel free to contact us straightaway. We would be obliged to help!
