March 18

Sarah Robertson

Difference Between King Betta Vs Giant Betta

The Betta fish, also known as the Siamese Fighting Fish, is unquestionably one of the most well-known aquarium fish. The King Betta Fish and the Giant Betta Fish are among the most popular betta types. In this article we shall see more about King betta vs giant betta.

The King bettas are frequently mistaken with Giant bettas. The King is, however, nearly the same size as a typical betta fish, whereas the Giant variety may reach up to four to six inches in length and truly deserve its name.

King Bettas are very popular for their short tempers and long fins. King bettas also have a variety of colors that can really show off in a tank with the right decorations. Giant typically aren't as aggressive as king bettas, but they're just as beautiful. They're best known as pets than breeders.

Traits That Distinguish the Giant Betta From Its King Betta Counterpart

Origin:

The King Betta is also called the Siamese Fighting Fish. It was originally bred in Southeast Asia, but it's very popular in Thailand. The Giant, on the other hand, originated in Malaysia.

Size:

By far, the most obvious difference between these two species of betta is their size. Giant bettas are much larger than King bettas and may grow up to 6 inches long. The typical size for a king betta is 3 inches, which is close to that of regular betta fish. If you put a king and giant betta side by side, the difference in size is obvious.

Color:

King bettas tend to be more colorful than giant bettas but this doesn't mean that giant bettas are not as colorful as king bettas because there are some varieties of Giant bettas with brilliant and bright colors.

A giant betta will grow quite large while a king betta won't grow as big. The king betta has a smaller body and a longer tail. King bettas are typically more colorful than giant bettas.

Appearance

People usually get confused about what a giant betta and king betta look like because they look so similar. However, there are some pretty easy to spot differences between the two:

  • The head of a King betta is bigger and more squared-off than that of a Giant Betta - this is one of the easiest ways to tell the two bettas apart.
  • A King betta has a more limited range in terms of color and pattern than a Giant Betta does. Specifically, you won't find any King Bettas with red or blue iridescent scales; they usually have yellow or green scales. Meanwhile, Giant Bettas can have red, blue, or yellow scales.
  • King Bettas are known for having long fins that are pointed at the tips, while Giant bettas have more rounded fins.
  • When resting, a King betta will hold its body more stiffly than a Giant does.
  • A Giant Betta has a blunter nose than a King Bettle does. That means that it's less likely to be able to compete successfully with other aggressive fish, such as cichlids and barbs.

Water Parameters

  • The temperature range for Giant bettas is 76-86 degrees Fahrenheit, while the temperature range for King bettas is 74-82 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Both breeders prefer neutral water with a pH between 6.5 and 7.

A Giant Betta is also much more likely than a King Bettle to be able to live in warmer water conditions.

Behavior and Temperament

When it comes to behavior, King bettas tend to be a little more aggressive than Giant bettas. However, both types of betta fish do best in filtered tanks with dense plant cover and caves for hiding. They should only be kept together if they have been raised together from infancy because otherwise, they will fight each other ceaselessly until one is dead or leaves the tank. They don't get along with other types of fish, so it's best to house them alone or in a species only tank.

Tankmates

When it comes to tankmates, King bettas do best when they're housed with other types of small fish that can't fit in their mouth and aren't likely to steal their food. Examples include guppies, mollies, and platies.

Giant is less aggressive than King Bettas but they tend to fight with other Bettas, so it's best to house them alone. They're perfectly fine when housed with small fish that can't fit in their mouth or nip their fins, such as Harlequin Rasboras and Pygmy Corydoras.

Range:

King Bettas are more likely than Giant bettas to have long pointed fins that keep them from being able to live in tanks with lots of other fish because they'd risk becoming the tank bully.

Tank Requirements:

King Bettas can live in tanks or bowls, but they require a filter. Giant bettas need at least an air pump to keep the water moving and aerated. Both types of these fish can breathe air for short periods of time, so they don't need a bubbler like other types of fish do.

A King Betta can be housed in an aquarium that has a lot of decoration, but it's not necessary. The Giant Betta should have plenty of decoration because they are too fiery to blend into the tank's background.

The tank size for a giant betta should be at least 15 gallons, while the tank size for a king betta should be 10 gallons.

Giant Betta Vs. King Betta Diet

Giant Betta Vs. King Betta Diet:

King bettas enjoy live foods like bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia. Giant Bettas also like live foods but can eat flakes too. Both types of betta fish enjoy eating dried worms as treats.

A King Betta's diet should be high in protein, while a Giant needs a balanced diet. The best betta pellets contain high levels of protein, though they should also include other nutrients too. Other foods that contain proteins are frozen food such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, and live worms.

The best food for a king betta is something that is high in protein, such as live bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia. They also enjoy dried worms as a treat. The best foods for a giant betta are flakes, live food such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, and live worms.

How Much and How Often to Feed Giant Bettas & King Bettas?

The Giant betta should be fed twice daily. The exact amount will depend on the size of your fish. King bettas should be fed once or twice daily. If you have just one fish, feed it the amount that it will eat within two minutes of feeding time. This is usually about two pellets if they're 

Do Giant Betta Jump Out of the Tank?

Bettas are very active fish, so if you have them in a small tank, be prepared for them to jump out. They do this because they are trying to get your attention or catch your finger. Sometimes, they won't even do this and will just leap from the tank. There are a few things that you can try to get them to stop doing this.

  • Wipe down the sides of your bowl or tank with vegetable oil or petroleum jelly. This makes it too slippery for the betta to climb out of the tank.
  • Turn the light on in your room to give them something else to focus on.

Giant Betta Vs. King Betta: Breeding

King bettas are generally more popular to breed. This is because they have a shorter gestation period and demand a higher price because of their status as show fish.

Giant can be just as easy to breed as King Bettas, but they're best known as pets than as breeders. Giant males may be harder to find as well.

How to Breed King Betta

Breeding in the case of a king betta fish is quite easy owing to the fact that they are bubble nesters. The male king betta fish first creates a bubble nest where the fertilization process takes place. The female king betta lays its eggs under the bubble following which the male also releases its milt to start the fertilizing process.

Making a bubble nest is the first step when breeding king betta fish. The male usually makes a large, thick bubble nest with a 60-degree angle of curvature at its top. This heavy structure can take up to a week to form and falls apart faster than other types of nests. If the male does not build a nest, the female will reject the eggs.

The female lays its eggs underneath the bubble. The male then releases his milt to fertilize the eggs.

The gestation period for breeding betta fish usually takes anywhere from 21 to 25 days, though it can vary depending on the temperature of your tank. Once they are born, it takes about 5 or 6 weeks for the betta fry to be big enough.

How to Breed Giant Betta

How to Breed Giant Betta

Breeding giant betta fish is quite easy if you have a pair of them together in your aquarium with good water conditions and optimal tank space with rocks or large objects for spawning.

Giant are mouthbrooders. This means that they hold their eggs in their mouth until they are ready to hatch. The female giant betta fish must have a plant or rock over which to lay her eggs. It's best if you have one with objects, so she can choose what she wants for her babies to grow upon.

The gestation period for the giant betta fish is about 21 to 28 days.

The male becomes aggressive when the gestation period begins because he knows that he will have to take care of the fry. When you see this aggression, place the female in a different tank for her safety.

The gestation period usually lasts 23 days or so, but this varies with temperature and water conditions. Once they are born, it takes about 5 or 6 weeks for them to be big enough before they can go into the main tank.

Giant Betta Vs. King Betta Cost:

The Giant Betta is the more expensive option, but it's easier to care for since you can house it in a tank with community fish. The King Betta is less expensive, but you'll need to house it in a tank by itself.

Health and Diseases:

Both types of Bettas need a clean and healthy environment with a protein-rich and balanced diet in order to avoid diseases.

Giant are less likely to be sick than King Betta fish, but they can develop bacterial infections if their water isn't kept clean. King Betta fish are more likely to be sick because they live in dirty conditions, which causes them to have fin rot and other diseases.

The most common diseases for King Betta fish are fin rot, ich, and bacterial infections. All of these can be treated with medication from a pet store, but it's important to diagnose the problem correctly and treat all of the fish in the tank.

Fin Rot

Fin rot is a fungal infection that causes the fins to fall off and is characterized by red or brown spots on both sides of the betta.

Ich

Ich is caused by parasite-like organisms and only affects the fish, not humans. It's characterized by white spots on both sides of the fish.

Bacterial infections

Bacterial infections are also common in King Betta fish. It's characterized by a gray area in the fins and an unpleasant smell.

FAQs

How Long Do Giant Betta and King Betta Live?

King Betta fish usually live for about 3-5 years and Giant Betta fish generally live for about 5-7 years.

Both types of betta fish are hardy and can live for several years if they're kept well-fed and housed in an appropriate environment.

Are Giant Betta and King Betta the Same?

King Betta and Giant Betta are different.

Giant betta fish need at least 10 gallons of tank space, but ideally 15 gallons. King betta fish can do well in 3-10 gallons of water.

King bettas have a more aggressive temperament than giant bettas and should be housed in a separate tank. King bettas tend to fight with other fish, but giant bettas will do well in a community tank.

Can Giant or King Bettas Live in a Community Tank?

Yes, they can, but I don't recommend it. King bettas will fight with each other, and Giant bettas are more of loners. Keeping them in a community tank with other fish is not always the best idea since they prefer to be isolated most of the time.

Can Male Giant Bettas Live Together?

No, male giant bettas can't live together in the same tank. They will fight and nip at each other until one of them dies or is severely injured. It's best if they're separated into individual tanks, but sometimes they will get along with a female Betta.

Can Male King Bettas Live Together?

Not always, but they can live together if they are introduced at a young age.

Wrapping Up

King Bettas and Giant Bettas are different in a variety of ways. The most notable difference is that King Bettas are more aggressive than Giant Bettas, and they should be housed in separate tanks.

 Another difference is that King Bettas require less space than Giant Bettas- 3-10 gallons as opposed to 10-15 gallons. Finally, the life expectancy for King Betta fish is about 3-5 years while Giant Betta fish can live for 5-7 years. And also, Giant Betta can live in a community tank while King Betta should be kept alone.

King Bettas and Giant Bettas need clean water, a healthy diet, and an appropriate environment to thrive. Both types of bettas are hardy fish that can live for many years if they're kept well-fed and housed in the appropriate environment.

Sarah Robertson


I am a passionate blogger who also happens to be a fish keeping enthusiast. Writing about my hobby is something that I absolutely love to do, and it's no secret that my chosen topic is always centered around fish keeping.

Sarah Robertson

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