Are you looking for a new and interesting fish to add to your aquarium? If so, you may want to consider the elephant ear betta. These beautiful fish are native to tropical freshwater environments and are known for their unique pectoral fins. They are also carnivores and need a diet that is rich in protein. If you’re thinking of getting an elephant ear betta, be sure to read this article to learn everything you need to know about them! We will cover their basic care requirements, diet, and social behavior. If you’re ready to learn more about these fascinating fish, keep reading!
Elephant Ear Betta Overview
The elephant ear betta, which is also called “betta splendens” by scientists, is a fish in the Gouramis family. It is an endangered species. They are freshwater fish that live in the Mekong Delta in Asia.
They are a kind of Siamese fish with big fins that make them stand out. Elephant ear betta has unique fins, and like other fish in their family, they have a wide range of bright colors. This makes them a popular choice among fish. But the albino betta fish with pink or red eyes is the rarest of all betta fish.
The fish’s distinctive pectoral fins give it a soft, graceful look, and they can be up to twice as big as the fish’s body. The pectoral fins of male bettas are usually longer and more colorful than those of female elephant ear bettas. However, both sexes have beautiful fins that are sure to catch people’s attention.
Appearance And Varieties of Elephant Ear Betta
If you’re looking for a fish that’s both beautiful and unique, you can’t go wrong with an elephant ear betta. Also known as dumbo bettas, these fish are native to Thailand and Vietnam. They get their name from their large, rounded fins, which resemble the ears of an elephant.
Elephant ear bettas come in a wide range of colors and patterns, so you’re sure to find one that fits your taste. They’re also relatively easy to care for, making them a great choice for beginner aquarium enthusiasts. So if you’re looking for a fish that’s both beautiful and low-maintenance, an elephant ear betta might be the perfect choice for you.
Elephant Ear Betta Diet
An Elephant ear betta diet includes many different things. The fish is called an insectivore because it mostly eats insects and other meaty things. The fish’s feeding schedule is set by the person who cares for them. Here are 7 things you can include in your elephant ear betta diet.
1. Daphnia
Daphnia are tiny freshwater crustaceans that make up a large part of the elephant ear betta diet. They are rich in nutrients and provide a good source of protein for the fish.
2. Brine Shrimp
Brine shrimp are another common food for elephant ear bettas. They are high in protein and make a good meal for the fish.
3. Bloodworms
Bloodworms are a type of mosquito larva that is commonly used as food for bettas. These larvae are rich in protein and iron, making them a great food for the elephant ear betta.
4. Tubifex Worms
Tubifex worms are a type of segmented worm that is commonly used as food for elephant ear bettas. You can find these worms at your local pet store.
5. Blackworms
Blackworms are another type of segmented worm that is commonly used as food for bettas. These worms are high in protein and make a great meal for the elephant ear betta.
6. Fruit Flies
Fruit flies are small insects that are commonly used as food for bettas. These flies are a good source of protein and provide a tasty treat for the fish.
7. Mosquito Larvae
Mosquito larvae are another common food for elephant ear bettas. These larvae are high in protein and make a great meal for the fish.
Elephant Ear Betta Tank Requirements
The elephant ears betta, often known as the “EE betta,” is a variety of betta distinguished by its large and flowing fins. They are a beautiful addition to your tank because of their huge pectoral fins, which resemble elephant ears. If you’re planning to have an elephant ear betta, here are their 7 tank requirements that you should know.
1. A Spacious Tank
The first and most important requirement for an elephant ear betta is a spacious tank. These fish can grow up to 3.5 inches long, and unlike other bettas, they do much better in tanks that are at least a 20-gallons. A larger tank is always better to provide them with more space to swim and explore.
2. Smooth Gravel
The second requirement is smooth gravel. Elephant ear bettas have long fins that can easily tear on rough gravel. That’s why you need to choose smooth gravel or sand to prevent any injury.
3. Plenty of Plants
Plants are also a requirement for an EE betta tank. They provide shelter and refuge for your fish, as well as oxygenate the water. Be sure to choose plants with soft leaves to avoid damaging your betta’s fins.
4. A Tight-Fitting Lid
Another important requirement is a tight-fitting lid. Elephant ear bettas are known to be jumpers, so a lid is necessary to prevent them from leaping out of the tank.
5. A Filter
A filter is also a must-have in an EE betta tank. This will help keep the water clean and free of debris. Be sure to choose a filter that’s appropriate for the size of your tank.
6. A Heater
Elephant ear bettas are tropical fish, so they need warm water to thrive. That’s why you need to install a heater in their tank to maintain a water temperature of 75-85°F (24-29°C).
7. Regular Water Changes
Last but not least, regular water changes are a must in an EE betta tank. These fish are messy eaters and produce a lot of waste, so you need to do weekly water changes to keep the water clean.
Now that you know the requirements for an EE betta tank, you’re one step closer to adding this beautiful fish to your aquarium. Just be sure to provide them with a spacious and well-planted tank, and they’ll be happy and healthy for years to come.
Elephant Ear Betta Lifespan
Elephant Ear Bettas are a type of fish that lives a long time. Experts say that if they are kept in a good place, their lifespan can extend between one to three years. However, some people have also said that their EE bettas lived up to 10 years! However, this is extremely unlikely.
How long they live depends on how well or badly the aquarists take care of them. If you give Elephant Ear Bettas what they need, it will help them live longer. Don’t forget to watch what they eat and how they live, as these things can affect how long your bettas live.
Elephant Ear Betta Temperament
Although an Elephant Ear Betta’s temperament can vary, they are often thought of being aggressive fish. Elephant Ear Betta males are particularly violent, so you cannot keep more than one male in the same enclosure.
However, if you have an Elephant Ear Betta with a calmer temperament, they might get along with certain other fish, but there is no guarantee. You need a 20-gallon tank, at the very least, if you intend to try.
Now, if you want to keep an Elephant Ear Betta with other fish, you need to be very careful about the kinds of fish you choose. Some good examples of compatible fish are Corydoras, Mollies, Platies, and Plecostomus. You should also avoid keeping your Betta with fish that are similar in appearance to it, as it may become aggressive and attack them.
Elephant Ear Betta Tank Mates
When looking for a roommate for your elephant betta fish, keep in mind that they are often very aggressive. They don’t get along with everyone, and they can be very protective of their territory. Here are the 4 most popular Elephant Betta Ear tank mates.
1. Corydoras
Corydoras are peaceful bottom-dwelling fish that do well with most other fish. They are often found in the same tank as bettas.
2. Plecostomus
Plecostomus are a scavenger fish that help keep the tank clean. Plecostomus are great tank mates for bettas because they are not aggressive and they don’t compete for food.
3. Neon Tetra
Neon Tetras are peaceful schooling fish that do well with most other fish. You can keep a school of Neon Tetras with your betta fish.
4. Zebra Danio
Zebra Danios look similar to Neon Tetras and get along with most other fish. To keep a Zebra Danio with your elephant ear betta fish, you will need to have a larger tank.
Elephant Ear Betta Price
The Elephant Ear Betta doesn’t cost much, like most Betta fish. You can get them for anywhere from $10 to $20, depending on how many colors you want and where you buy them. They are pretty common and can be found at many pet stores, like Petco, PetSmart, and even Walmart. This makes it easy to find them and add them to your aquarium.
To find the best price on an Elephant Ear Betta, it’s a good idea to check around at different stores and see what they are charging. You might be able to find a better deal online, but it’s always a good idea to compare prices before you buy anything.
Elephant Ear Bettas are a beautiful addition to any aquarium, and they don’t cost much to add to your collection. With so many places to buy them, you’re sure to find the perfect one for your tank.
Elephant Ear Betta Male Vs Female
Most of the time, it’s easy to tell which gender a betta fish is, but sometimes they look enough alike to make it hard. Taking into account the following traits should help you figure out the gender of your betta. Compare mature specimens of the same species and color, and don’t just use one trait to figure out the gender.
1. Colors
Males are often brighter in color than females, but color alone is not enough to tell an elephant ear betta’s gender. Most of the time, males have more vivid colors than females, but females can also be very colorful.
2. Beard
Male Elephant Ear Bettas have much bigger beards than females. In fact, males’ beards are often visible even when they are not flaring. Females have beards, too, but they are much smaller and can’t be seen when they aren’t flaring.
3. Flaring
When bettas flare, it’s easier to tell the difference between male and female fish. Males have big beards, while females’ beards are much smaller and not as noticeable. Flaring can also make female Elephant Ear Betta put their heads down, which is not something males do.
4. Vertical Stripes
When a female betta is ready to mate, she will have vertical stripes on her body. Males do not have these stripes.
5. Body Form
Most of the time, female bettas are a bit shorter and wider than males. Male bodies tend to be longer and a little flatter from side to side.
6. Fins
Male Elephant Ear Bettas have fins that are often three or four times as long as the fins of females. Some types of bettas have males with short caudal (tail) fins, but in most types, the females have shorter caudal fins, and the males have longer fins. The male’s ventral fins are clearly longer and thicker than the female’s.
7. Traits of Behavior
Male Elephant Ear bettas are called “Siamese fighting fish” for a reason: they fight with each other and with female bettas in a way that makes them live shorter lives. Because of this, you shouldn’t put more than one male betta in a tank. Also, you shouldn’t put male and female bettas in the same aquarium unless you want them to mate.
Elephant Ear Betta Common Diseases And Their Treatment
People say that every betta owner has some kind of sickness or disease. Some diseases, like fin rot, are very common in Elephant Ear Betta, while others, like necrosis or mystery rot, are rare. Now, let’s talk about some things that can make your Elephant Ear Betta sick.
1. Anchor Worms
Anchor Worms are caused by Infection from contaminated fish or plants. When your fish has this, it will have skin that is itchy, red, and has bumps. To treat this, put infected fish in a separate tank and give them a dewormer.
2. White Spots
Common causes of white spots on elephant ear bettas are poor water quality, overfeeding, injuries and stress. White spots appear on the body, fins, or tail. To address this, Improve the quality of the water and treat it with an anti-fungal or anti-parasitic drug. Seek professional help to get an accurate diagnosis.
3. Fin Rot
Fin Root is commonly caused by poor water quality, injuries, and stress. Symptoms to detect fin rot in your Elephant Ear Betta are fins looking ragged or shredded. When this happens, put sick fish in a separate tank and add small amounts of salt to the tank. Improve the quality of the water and treat it with a drug that kills bacteria or fungi.
4. Dropsy
Dropsy is a condition where your Elephant Ear Betta scales are raised, and its belly is bloated. This is caused by infection, poor water quality, or something blockage the intestines. If you see these symptoms in your fish, take it to the vet immediately.
5. Tail Rot
Tail rot is commonly caused by poor water quality, injuries, or stress. Symptoms of tail rot are a blackened or ragged appearance on the fins and tail. To treat this, put sick Elephant Ear Betta in a separate tank and add small amounts of salt to the tank.
6. Popeye
Popeye is when your Elephant Ear Betta eyeball bulges out. This can be caused by injury, poor water quality, or bacterial infection. If you see popeye in your fish, take it to the vet immediately.
7. Mouth Fungus
Mouth fungus is an infection that appears as white growths on the mouth. It is caused by poor water quality or a weakened immune system. To treat this, put sick Elephant Ear Betta in a separate tank and treat the water with an anti-fungal drug.
Are Elephant Ear Betta Right For You?
Considering a Betta (or Elephant Ear Betta)? These beautiful fish make a great addition to any aquarium. However, there are a few things you should know before making a commitment.
First, Bettas are tropical fish and need warm water to thrive. They also prefer to live in freshwater. Therefore, if you have a saltwater tank, an elephant ear Betta is not the fish for you.
In terms of diet, Bettas are carnivores and need a diet that is rich in protein. Live or frozen food is best, but you can also give them pellets or flakes. Finally, Bettas are social creatures and do best when kept in groups. So if you’re thinking of getting a Betta, be sure to get two or more!
FAQ
Are Elephant Ear Bettas Friendly?
The elephant ear betta is in the same family as the gouramis and is also known as the Siamese fighting fish. It is a very aggressive fish, and the males are known to attack even their own kind first.
How Often Should You Feed Your Elephant Ear Bettas?
It is recommended that you feed your betta fish two to four pellets once or twice a day. When you put pellets in water, they get bigger, and your betta fish can eat a lot of them. One or two days a week, you can give them fresh or freeze-dried food instead of pellets.
Is it Easy to Care for Elephant Ear Bettas?
Elephant-ear bettas don’t really need anything special when it comes to caring. But you can’t ignore the fact that their pectoral fins are strange in size and shape.
Recap
The elephant ear betta is a beautiful but aggressive fish that is native to tropical freshwater environments. They are carnivores and need a diet rich in protein. It is recommended that you feed them two to four pellets once or twice a day. They are also social creatures and do best when kept in groups. When it comes to caring for them, they don’t really need anything special, but you should be aware of their unique pectoral fins. You can’t ignore the fact that their pectoral fins are strange in size and shape. This means you should still be careful when handling them.