Betta fish for sale in South Africa

Betta Fish for Sale in South Africa

Shop colourful, individually selected Betta fish (Betta splendens), also known as Siamese fighting fish, with care guidance, type comparisons and aquarium essentials from Glass & Gill.

 Shop Betta Fish

Shop Betta Fish

Shop Betta fish online in South Africa, including Plakat, Halfmoon, Crowntail, Rosetail and other available varieties.

 Shop all Betta Fish
Assorted Fancy Female Betta
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Assorted Fancy Female Betta

Assorted Fancy Female Betta
R 245.00 ZAR R 300.00 ZAR

Why Bettas Make a Great Centrepiece

Bettas combine striking colour, distinctive finnage and strong individual personality in a compact freshwater fish. A heated, filtered aquarium with gentle flow, suitable enrichment and careful feeding helps them display natural behaviour and maintain healthy fins.

Buying Betta Fish Across South Africa

Glass & Gill ships livestock throughout South Africa using trusted courier partners. Bettas are inspected before dispatch, carefully packed to minimise transit stress and sent on designated livestock shipping days. Someone should be available to receive and acclimate them promptly.

Live Arrival Protection for Betta Fish

If a Betta arrives deceased, our Live Arrival Guarantee allows a claim within 2 hours of delivery. Submit clear photographs of the unopened bag and livestock together with your order details. Approved claims may qualify for replacement or store credit under our policy.

Betta Types and Fin Shapes

Short-fin type

Plakat Betta

Plakat Bettas have shorter fins and a more athletic profile than long-finned varieties. Their active swimming, strong body shape and wide range of colours make them a practical choice for aquarists who prefer bold Betta character with less delicate finnage.
View Plakat Bettas

Distinctive finnage

Crowntail Betta

Crowntail Bettas are recognised by reduced webbing between the fin rays, creating their characteristic spiked appearance. Their dramatic silhouette is especially striking when the fins are fully displayed, while good water quality helps protect the fine fin edges.
View Crowntail Bettas

Wide display tail

Halfmoon Betta

Halfmoon Bettas are named for the broad semicircular shape of the caudal fin when fully spread. Their large finnage creates a dramatic display, but gentle filtration and uncluttered swimming space are particularly useful for long-finned individuals.
View Halfmoon Bettas

Highly ruffled finnage

Rosetail Betta

Rosetail Bettas develop extensive branching in the fin rays, producing a heavily ruffled, rose-like tail. The ornate finnage creates exceptional visual impact, although these fish benefit from gentle flow and careful observation because very heavy fins can require more effort to carry.
View Rosetail Bettas

Split caudal fin

Double Tail Betta

Double Tail Bettas have a caudal fin divided into two distinct lobes and often display a broader dorsal fin. The result is a balanced, unusual silhouette that makes this variety easy to distinguish from standard single-tail Bettas.
View Double Tail Bettas

Classic long-fin type

Veiltail Betta

Veiltail Bettas have the familiar long, trailing tail that helped make domestic Bettas so recognisable. Their flowing finnage and straightforward body shape create a classic look, while gentle current helps long-finned fish move comfortably.
View Veiltail Bettas

Statement pectoral fins

Dumbo / Elephant Ear Betta

Dumbo Bettas, also called Elephant Ear Bettas, are recognised by enlarged pectoral fins that fan beside the body. This feature gives them a distinctive swimming style and makes them especially eye-catching as a single centrepiece fish.
View Dumbo Bettas

Still deciding? Find the Betta that suits your aquarium

Use these quick differences as a final shortcut after comparing the Betta types above.

Active swimmer Plakat Betta Shorter fins and an athletic profile for aquarists who prefer a more active Betta. Classic display Halfmoon Betta Broad semicircular tail and dramatic long finnage for a showy centrepiece. Distinctive shape Crowntail Betta Spiked fin rays create one of the most recognisable Betta silhouettes. Most ornate Rosetail Betta Heavy branching produces deeply ruffled, rose-like finnage. Unusual symmetry Double Tail Betta A divided caudal fin and broad dorsal create a distinctive balanced profile. Classic flowing fins Veiltail Betta The familiar long trailing tail gives this variety a timeless Betta look. Statement pectorals Dumbo Betta Oversized pectoral fins create an unusual, highly visible swimming style.

Colours, Patterns & Specialty Bettas

Beyond fin shape, domestic Bettas are also selected for colour, pattern and size. Our changing stock may include Koi, Samurai, Mustard Gas, Hellboy, Giant, Blue Rim and other distinctive Betta splendens varieties.

Male vs Female Betta Fish

Male Bettas often develop more exaggerated finnage in many domestic strains, while females can be equally colourful, active and full of personality. Adult males should not be housed together, and female group housing requires careful planning, space and close monitoring.

Shop current female Bettas

When Your Betta Arrives

Have the aquarium heated, filtered and ready before delivery. Float the sealed bag briefly to equalise temperature, then gradually introduce small amounts of aquarium water before gently transferring the Betta. Avoid adding shipping water to the aquarium and keep lighting subdued while the fish settles.

Betta Care Essentials

Bettas are hardy when their environment is stable, warm and appropriately filtered. Their personality and finnage make them rewarding fish, but they still need proper space, enrichment and careful feeding.

Tank size

A heated, filtered aquarium around 20 litres or larger is a practical starting point for a single adult Betta, with more space making stability and enrichment easier.

Temperature

Keep Bettas in stable tropical temperatures, typically around 24–28°C, and avoid sudden temperature swings.

Filtration

Use reliable filtration with gentle flow. Bettas benefit from clean water but long-finned fish can struggle in strong current.

Feeding

Feed a varied, protein-rich diet using quality Betta pellets supported by suitable frozen or live foods.

Surface access

Bettas breathe atmospheric air using a labyrinth organ, so keep the water surface accessible and avoid sealing it off with dense growth.

Tankmates

Compatibility depends on individual temperament and aquarium size. Avoid housing adult males together and choose peaceful tankmates carefully.

For deeper information on tank setup, feeding, behaviour and health, explore our complete Betta care guides.

Read Betta Care Guides

Betta Care Guides

Betta fish in a planted freshwater aquarium for a complete Betta care guide

The Complete Guide to Betta Fish

|Ashley Flores
Complete Betta fish care guide covering tank setup, feeding, behaviour, health, varieties, temperature, filtration, tank mates and South African care.

Betta Fish Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions aquarists ask before buying and keeping Betta fish.
What tank size is suitable for a Betta?

A heated, filtered aquarium around 20 litres or larger is a practical starting point for a single adult Betta. Larger aquariums are generally easier to keep stable and provide more room for enrichment.
Do Betta fish need a heater and filter?

Yes. Bettas are tropical fish and benefit from stable warm water and reliable filtration. Choose gentle flow, especially for long-finned varieties.
Can male Betta fish live together?

Adult male Bettas should not be housed together in the same aquarium because territorial aggression can lead to serious injury.
What do Betta fish eat?

Bettas are primarily carnivorous and do well on a varied, protein-rich diet using quality Betta pellets together with suitable frozen or live foods.
Can Betta fish live with other fish?

Some Bettas can live with peaceful tankmates in a suitably sized aquarium, but compatibility depends on the individual fish. Avoid fin-nipping species and monitor behaviour closely.
Why do Betta fish need access to the water surface?

Bettas have a labyrinth organ that allows them to breathe atmospheric air, so they need unobstructed access to the water surface.
Are Bettas suitable for beginners?

Yes, Bettas can suit beginners when they are kept in a properly heated and filtered aquarium with stable water quality, appropriate food and suitable space.
How long do Betta fish live?

With suitable care, domestic Bettas commonly live around 3–5 years, although lifespan varies with genetics, previous care, water quality, diet and overall health.
Can Betta fish live in bowls?

A small unheated, unfiltered bowl is not a suitable long-term home for a Betta. A properly heated and filtered aquarium provides more stable temperature and water quality, better swimming space and more opportunity for enrichment.
How often should Betta fish be fed?

Adult Bettas are commonly fed small portions once or twice daily. Feed an amount they can finish promptly, avoid habitual overfeeding and use a varied, protein-rich diet rather than relying on one food alone.
Why is my Betta making a bubble nest?

Male Bettas often build bubble nests at the water surface as part of normal reproductive behaviour. A bubble nest can appear in healthy fish, but its presence or absence on its own is not a reliable measure of overall health.
What causes fin rot and damaged Betta fins?

Frayed, receding or damaged fins can be associated with poor water quality, physical injury, stress or infection. Check water conditions and the aquarium environment first, then review our Betta health guide for common warning signs and next steps.

Buying and Keeping Betta Fish in South Africa

Choosing a Betta starts with matching the fish to a properly heated, filtered aquarium and deciding whether you prefer shorter athletic fins or more dramatic long-finned varieties. Stable water, gentle flow, varied feeding and suitable enrichment all help Bettas remain active and healthy.

Glass & Gill offers a changing selection of Betta fish for South African aquarists, with care information and type guidance to help you choose confidently. Explore our freshwater fish, Betta care guides, aquatic plants and filtration options to build a setup suited to your fish.

Water Care

Support healthy Betta fish with stable freshwater conditions and reliable water treatments.
OceanSix Shrimp Minerals aquarium water treatment
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OceanSix Shrimp Minerals

OceanSix Shrimp Minerals
R 129.00 ZAR R 150.00 ZAR
Aquatic plants for Betta fish aquariums

Aquatic Plants

Live plants add cover, resting places and structure while helping create a calmer, more natural environment for Betta fish.

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Gentle aquarium filtration for Betta fish tanks

Filtration

Reliable filtration supports clean, stable water. Choose a setup with gentle flow so Bettas, especially long-finned fish, can swim comfortably.

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Potential peaceful tankmates for Betta fish

Tankmates & Clean-Up Species

Some Bettas can share a suitably sized aquarium with peaceful tankmates or clean-up species. Compatibility depends on the individual fish, so introduce tankmates cautiously and monitor behaviour.

 Explore Clean-Up Species

Filtration

Keep Betta aquariums clean and stable with reliable filtration that provides gentle water movement.
Sobo WP - 1000F internal aquarium filter
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Sobo WP - 1000F

Sobo WP - 1000F
R 229.00 ZAR R 299.00 ZAR