Appearance:

• Coloration:
  • Exhibits a pearly, metallic sheen (hence “Silk”) with a mix of iridescent blues, whites, pinks, and reds.
  • Often has a pastel or soft-toned base compared to the bold reds of other Flowerhorn types.
• Patterns:
  • Less prominent or absent black markings (unlike Kamfa or Zhen Zhu variants).
  • May display pearling (tiny white spots) on the scales, giving a glittery effect.
• Body Shape:
  • Stocky and muscular, typical of Flowerhorns.
  • Nuchal Hump (Kok):
    • Males develop a large, pronounced hump on the forehead, while females have a smaller one.
• Fins:
  • Long, flowing dorsal and anal fins with slight extensions.
  • Tail fin is usually rounded or spade-shaped.

Behavior & Temperament:

• Highly interactive, often recognizing owners and begging for food.
• Territorial & aggressive—best kept alone or with large, robust tankmates.
• Requires ample space (minimum 75-gallon tank for adults).

Care Requirements:

• Water Conditions:
  • Temperature: 80–86°F (27–30°C).
  • pH: 7.0–8.0 (slightly alkaline).
  • Clean, well-filtered water with regular water changes.
• Diet:
  • High-protein foods (pellets, shrimp, worms, occasional live/frozen treats).
  • Some breeders use color-enhancing foods to intensify hues.

Breeding:

• Sexing: Males are larger, brighter, and develop a bigger kok.
• Hybrid Origin: Like all Flowerhorns, Thai Silks are man-made hybrids (from cichlid crosses).

Popularity:

• Favored for its smooth, pearly appearance (less “rough” than Kamfas).
• Often seen in aquarium competitions for its unique sheen.

Physical Description:

• Body Shape: The most striking feature is its rounded, bloated belly, giving it a balloon-like appearance. This is caused by a genetic mutation that shortens the spine and swells the abdomen.
• Size: Typically grows to 2–3 inches (5–7.5 cm) in length.
• Colors & Patterns: Comes in various colors, including black, gold, white, silver, and dalmatian (spotted).
• Fins: May have standard or lyre-tail (elongated) fins, depending on the variety.

Behavior & Temperament:

• Peaceful & Social: Gets along well with other community fish like guppies, platies, and tetras.
• Active Swimmer: Enjoys swimming in the mid to upper levels of the tank.
• Livebearer: Like other mollies, it gives birth to live fry rather than laying eggs.

Care Requirements:

• Tank Size: Minimum 10–20 gallons (larger if keeping a group).
• Water Conditions:
  • Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
  • pH: 7.5–8.5 (prefers slightly hard, alkaline water)
  • Salinity: Can tolerate brackish water but thrives in freshwater with good mineral content.
• Diet: Omnivorous—feed flakes, pellets, algae, blanched veggies, and occasional live/frozen foods (brine shrimp, bloodworms).
• Tank Setup: Prefers planted tanks with open swimming space. Appreciates hiding spots and moderate water flow.

Special Considerations:

• Sensitive to Poor Water Quality: Requires regular water changes and a well-maintained tank.
• Prone to Swim Bladder Issues: Due to their deformed spine, they may have trouble swimming if overfed or stressed.
• Breeding: Easily breeds in captivity; females can store sperm and produce multiple batches of fry without a male present.

Ideal Tank Mates:

• Other peaceful fish like guppies, platies, swordtails, tetras, and dwarf corydoras.
• Avoid aggressive or fin-nipping species.

Scientific Classification

• Family: Scatophagidae
• Genera: Scatophagus (most common) and Selenotoca
• Common Species:
  • Spotted Scat (Scatophagus argus)
  • Silver Scat (Selenotoca multifasciata)

Physical Characteristics

• Shape: Deep-bodied, laterally compressed (similar to angelfish).
• Size: Typically 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) in captivity; can grow larger in the wild.
• Coloration:
  • Spotted Scat: Greenish or brownish with dark spots (juveniles have more vivid colors).
  • Silver Scat: Silvery with dark vertical bands.
• Fins: Dorsal fin has sharp spines (can be mildly venomous).

Habitat & Distribution

• Found in brackish waters (estuaries, mangroves, coastal lagoons) but can adapt to freshwater or full marine conditions.
• Native to the Indo-Pacific region (India, Southeast Asia, Australia).

Behavior & Diet

• Omnivorous: Feeds on algae, small invertebrates, detritus, and even waste (name Scatophagus means “dung-eater”).
• Social: Generally peaceful but may nip at slow-moving fish.
• Hardy: Tolerates varying salinity levels.

Aquarium Care

• Tank Size: Minimum 75 gallons for adults (they grow large).
• Water Conditions:
  • Salinity: Prefer brackish (SG 1.005–1.015) but adapt to freshwater.
  • pH: 7.5–8.5
  • Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
• Diet: Varied—algae wafers, shrimp, vegetables, and high-quality pellets

Key Features of the Fullmoon/Halfmoon Betta:

1. Tail Shape
   • The most defining trait is its wide, symmetrical tail that spreads to 180 degrees or more when the fish flares.
   • In some cases, a “Fullmoon” may refer to a tail that exceeds 180 degrees, appearing even fuller.
2. Fin Structure
   • Dorsal and anal fins are large and flowy, complementing the tail.
   • Ventral fins (beard) are long and thread-like.
3. Colors & Patterns
   • Comes in a wide range of colors, including solid (red, blue, black), bi-color, marble, butterfly, and metallic (copper, steel blue).
4. Behavior
   • Like all bettas, they are territorial (especially males) and should be kept alone or with peaceful tank mates.
   • They flare to show dominance or when stimulated.

Fullmoon vs. Halfmoon Betta

• Halfmoon (HM): Tail reaches exactly 180 degrees.
• Fullmoon (Over Halfmoon, OHM): Tail exceeds 180 degrees, sometimes up to 200 degrees, creating an even fuller appearance.

Care Requirements

• Tank Size: Minimum 5 gallons (larger is better).
• Water Conditions:
  • Temperature: 76–82°F (24–28°C)
  • pH: 6.5–7.5
  • Soft to moderately hard water.
• Diet: High-quality betta pellets, frozen/live foods (bloodworms, brine shrimp).
• Tank Setup:
  • Gentle filtration (no strong currents).
  • Live or silk plants (sharp decor can tear fins).

Special Notes

• Due to their long fins, they are slower swimmers and prone to fin rot if water quality is poor.
• Selective breeding has made them one of the most sought-after betta types for their beauty.