Walk into a high-end fish shop, and you will see a jar labeled “ALIEN – RM 80.” You look inside. The fish looks… fake. It has a pattern that looks like digital code. Its face is covered in solid metallic scales. It moves differently.
This is the Alien Betta. It is not a pure species found in nature. It is a “Frankenstein” creation, but a beautiful one.
1. What IS it? (The Secret Recipe)
The Alien is a Hybrid. Breeders took the common Betta Splendens (Domestic Betta) and crossed it with Wild Betta species, usually:
- Betta Mahachaiensis: (Gives the metallic shine).
- Betta Smaragdina: (Gives the green/emerald color).
- Betta Imbellis: (Gives the peaceful temperament).
The Result: A fish that has the intense color of a domestic Betta but the body shape and wild patterns of a swamp fighter.
2. The “Full Mask” Look
The signature feature of an Alien is the Full Mask.
- Normal Betta: The face is usually flesh-colored or black. The scales stop at the neck.
- Alien Betta: The metallic scales grow all over the face, covering the cheeks and lips. It looks like he is wearing a medieval helmet or a robot mask.
- The Pattern: The scales on the body don’t overlap smoothly. They often have black rims, creating a “mesh” or “digital” look.
3. The “Hybrid Vigor” (Why They Are Strong)
Here is the best part: Aliens are bulletproof. Standard Halfmoons are inbred for generations to get huge fins. This makes them weak. Aliens have “new blood” from wild species.
- Health: They rarely get tumors. They are resistant to Fin Rot.
- Activity: They are fast, sharp, and highly intelligent hunters.
4. The “Wild” Behavior (Warning)
Because they have Wild DNA, they act differently than your lazy Petco fish.
- The Jumper: Wild Bettas jump from puddle to puddle. An Alien Betta WILL find the smallest hole in your lid and jump out. You need a airtight lid (with air holes, of course).
- The Skittishness: They can be shy. They don’t always beg for food like a “Puppy Dog” Plakat. They prefer dark water and shadows.
- Dark Water: They love Tannins (Ketapang Leaf extract). They look their best in “Blackwater” tanks where the water is tea-colored. It makes their neon scales glow.
5. Colors You Will See
- Green Alien: The classic. Intense emerald green.
- Blue Alien: Deep, electric royal blue.
- Copper Alien: A rusty, metallic bronze (very rare).
- Grey Alien: A silver/steel color.
6. The Cost
This is the catch. Because breeding them is difficult (wild hybrids are hard to stabilize), they are pricey.
- Standard Plakat: RM 15.
- Alien Betta: RM 60 – RM 150+.
The Shop Guy’s Verdict
If you are bored of “Regular” Bettas and want something that looks exotic and prehistoric, get an Alien. They are the coolest show-off fish in the hobby right now. Just remember: LID ON. ALWAYS.
