Marine Betta (Comet) Care Guide

Marine Betta (Comet) Care Guide

Glossary: 

  1. Care Guide & Requirements 
  2. Reef Safe
  3. Prices
  4. Food & Diet 
  5. Facts 
  6. FAQs 
  7. Tank Mates & Environment

Also known as the Comet, the Marine Betta is a visually striking fish that features a unique black and white appearance. The fish’s scientific name is Calloplesiops altivelis, and they’re found in the Red Sea and Indo-Pacific region. If you’re seeking a larger and more beautiful fish to add to your tank, this is a great beginner fish that’s generally easy to maintain, though they can be a bit pricey.

Is the Marine Betta reef safe?

The Marine Betta is typically a reef-safe fish that won’t nip at corals and will tend to avoid other fish. However, they may feed on some of the smaller invertebrates in your tank, including ornamental shrimp. 

Marine Betta food and diet

The Marine Betta is carnivorous and enjoys eating a variety of fish and invertebrates, namely smaller fish and Mysis and gut-loaded feeder shrimp. They also enjoy blackworms.

You should feed this fish several times daily to keep it in good shape. They may also occasionally accept pellets or flakes, but they primarily feed on live food.

Marine Betta FAQs

Are Marine Bettas hard to keep?

They might be somewhat intimidating at first because of their size and majestic look, but they’re generally easy to care for except when it comes to feeding. 

What are the tank requirements for the Marine Betta?

Despite their large size, Marine Betta fish typically don’t need very large spaces since they don’t spend too much time swimming. They’re more likely to settle and spend their time mimicking a more vicious creature, the Moray Eel. Typically, you should keep them in a tank that’s at least 55 gallons. 

Regarding the environment in your tank, you should have live rock, caves, and other places for the fish to take shelter. You should also keep the lighting relatively low if you want your Marine Betta to come out more often. 

What temperature do Bettas like?

For most Bettas, including the Marine Betta, you should keep your water’s temperature at around 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the right temperature to keep them both healthy and comfortable. You should use a heater to maintain this temperature.

Marine Betta price

When shopping for a Marine Betta, you’ll find a pretty wide range of prices. The Marine Betta price tends to range from around $100 for a smaller fish to as much as over $400 for larger Bettas. 

Marine Betta facts

Here are a few interesting facts about the Marine Betta:

  1. The Marine Betta can grow up to eight inches long, which is why they need a larger tank.
  2. The Marine Betta’s lifespan is up to 10 years or longer, so you can count on this fish lasting a while in your tank.
  3. There are no external ways to easily discern male from female Marine Bettas.

What other fish are the best tank mates for the Marine Betta?

You’ll need to be somewhat careful when selecting tank mates for your Marine Betta. They might be docile around fish of the same size or larger, but you’ll need to be wary about smaller fish. At the same time, you should avoid introducing more aggressive fish that might attack your Betta.

Some fish of a similar size and temperament to add to your tank with a Marine Betta may include Lionfish, Engineer Gobies, Harlequin Tuskfish and other wrasses, or small Hawkfish. Others to consider include Pufferfish, Angelfish, Butterflyfish, and Surgeonfish. They’ll also fare well with most stationary invertebrates.

Where to buy Marine Betta

You can buy Marine Betta fish from many online aquarium stores, including the following:

The Marine Betta isn’t without its challenges, but it can be a great fish for beginners, especially if size and appearance are critical preferences. They’re a great addition to nearly any tank with the right tank mates and conditions.