The Truth About Half Sun Bettas | Half Sun Betta Fish Care Tips

Half sun betta fish is a rare and beautiful breed, known for their stunning appearance. With many colors to the body and a crown-shaped tail that resembles the rays of the sun, these tropical fish are sure to captivate any aquarist. Originating from a cross between Halfmoon and Crown tail fish, they have shallow or wavy caudal edges which makes them easily distinguishable from other breeds. Although these unique creatures have been around for some time, due to difficulties in breeding them, they remain difficult to come across. 

In this blog post, we'll explore the unique traits of half sun betta fish – from their remarkable coloration to how they differ from regular finned varieties – helping you decide if one would be right for your home aquarium.

A Beautiful Half Sun Betta Fish

1. What is Halfsun Betta Fish?

To find out what a half-sun betta is, let's first review the definition of comb tail. The term "comb tail" is usually used to describe fish with some small protruding rays in the unpaired finnage. The reduction in webbing however is much less than what we see in a crown tail (33-50%).

Combtails could be the result of a cross between a CT to a non-CT fish (regardless of the tail type VT, D, SD, PK, DT). But keep in mind that the first CTs probably have been developed from such fish using the reduction in webbing as a selection criterium.

The term "half sun" is usually used to describe the offspring between a Halfmoon x Crown tail cross.

Halfsun to me is a 180-degree caudal with about 10 % ray reduction to the caudal edge, the tail edges are shallow or wavy. Similar to the radius of the sun.

Half-finned betta, long-tailed sun, called HS (Half sun)

The second half-finned short-tail betta is called HSPK (Half sun Plakad)

A Half Sun Plakat

2. Are halfsun betta fish rare?

Halfsun bettas are relatively rare, which can be explained by the process of breeding, selection, and rearing them.

Theoretically, Halfsun will be a cross between Halfmoon and Crowntail. However, one thing that is elusive here is that the rate of fin reduction in juveniles is variable and cannot be calculated.

This betta line fish is just a transition to go to Halfmoon its a transition infusing DT's I may say. Pretty much the same with HM long fin X Short fin HMPK cross you will get medium fin with obvious in proportion anal in contrast to its caudal.

Besides, F1 crosses (between HM x CT pairs) will usually not show this phenotype, but one must wait until the F2 generation appears with individuals displaying "Halfsun" tails.

Finally, raising a Halfsun fish is also quite difficult and takes more effort. Hard water will increase the risk of curling their caudal fins, so to raise a beautiful Halfsun, you must provide a source of high-quality water throughout its life.

3. Halfsun betta fish fact

The Half sun betta stands apart from other common species due to its distinctive 180-degree widening tail with a serrated edge resembling the shape of a sun. It is best described as an amalgamation between the Halfmoon and Crowntail, possessing features that are similar to those of both breeds. As such, it carries certain characteristics shared among most types of bettas: bright colors, and vibrant fins that can be flared in moments of excitement or aggression... Here's your short guide on these beautiful creatures!

• Size from 2 to 3 inches.
• Lifespan: 3 years.
• Longer dorsal that covers half the body.
• Longer anal fin than normal.
• Large eyes that appear prominent and intense due to their deep set into the head.
• Shorter body shape compared to other Bettas.
• Brightly colored lips and gill plates which can help enhance their beauty even more.
• Slender mouth with pointed tips.
• Iridescent scales along its sides.
• An active swimming pattern with strong bursts of energy and impressive jumping ability. 

Half-sun bettas are generally more active than other varieties of Betta Splendens, and tend to be more sociable with their tank mates. They also have an affinity for small foods such as worms and brine shrimp.  Furthermore, half-sun bettas require plenty of hiding spots in the tank to keep them calm and secure. So, they should be provided with plenty of live plants to give them places to explore and hide when needed.

A Butterfly Half Sun Plakat

4. Take care Halfsun betta fish

To ensure your Halfsun betta thrives, pay attention to its environment. Here's what you need to know for successful rearing:

Water Parameters: 

• pH between 6.0 - 8.0 
• Ammonia levels no higher than 0.25ppm 
• Nitrite levels no higher than 0.5ppm 
• Nitrate levels at or below 20 ppm 
• Dissolved Oxygen level at 5mg/L or higher 
• Hardness (GH) should range from 4 - 12 dGH 

Tank Size: A minimum tank size of 5 gallons is recommended for a single Half Sun Betta fish, but larger tanks should be used if multiple fish are being kept.

Environmental Parameters: 

• Water temperature should be between 76-82°F (24-28°C). 
• A water filter is recommended to keep the water clean and provide a current in the tank. 
• The tank should be well-lit, but not too bright - full spectrum lighting can help maintain optimal health for your fish. 
• Live plants or decorations can provide hiding spots for your Half Sun Betta and also help to make them feel more secure in their environment.

Note: There is a small piece of advice, for a more enchanting view of the halfsun's tail, to keep them in an environment with soft water and mild aquatic currents.

In conclusion, the half-sun betta is a beautiful variant of the widespread and popular fish species. From their looks to their behavior, these rare and remarkable aquatic creatures make for an excellent addition to any home aquarium. They have a tendency to be a generally peaceful species, however, they’re fascinating finned fighters when they feel their territory needs defending – so you should keep that in mind. Their striking colors make them stand out among other common varieties and are easily recognized by their unique white lip marking and eye-catching dorsal fin. All in all, the half-sun betta is truly one of a kind.  If this unique fish has piqued your interest and you want to find out more information about owning one yourself, let me know in the comment below!