Male Hellboy Betta (Betta splendens)

Profile

The Hellboy Betta is a striking colour variety of Betta splendens, named after the all-red comic and film character. It is a short-finned plakat form with deep blood-red as the dominant body colour, typically paired with a black mask across the face and black edging through the fins. The line was developed by Thai breeders and has since expanded to include fish with silvery-white or koi-patterned overlay scales, though red remains the defining colour. Each fish is unique, and pattern placement can vary significantly between individuals.

Merits

• Intense blood-red body with a dramatic black mask — one of the boldest betta colour forms

• Short plakat fins make it a stronger, more active swimmer than long-finned varieties

• Confident, interactive personality that often greets you at the front of the tank

• Photographs exceptionally well due to the high-contrast red and black pattern

• Well-suited to a compact, single-specimen display aquarium

Diet

A carnivore that thrives on a varied diet. Offer quality betta pellets as a staple, supplemented with frozen or freeze-dried bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia. Feed small amounts once or twice daily and avoid overfeeding.