For the past 12 years, I’ve been raising betta fish of various strains and breeding them successfully. In this post, I’ll address the common query that 99% of beginners have; approximate costs of betta fish based on their types (tail types + strains). Let’s begin.
Relation between the cost of Betta and their strain:
Quality matters, right? Just like a standard shoe and a branded shoe have different costs, even though both serve the same purpose, the same applies here. The cost of a betta fish varies based on factors such as color, tail type, quality, age, and gender. We’ve already posted the most trending types of betta fish currently in the market along with their pictures, so be sure to check that out if you haven’t already.
Here, we’ll break down the cost of each type of betta fish based on their gene type first, and later in the section, we’ll discuss the average price of betta fish based on their tail/fin types.
| Betta strain | Cost |
| Avatar Betta | $45 – $60 |
| Koi Betta | $25 – $50 |
| Nemo candy Betta | $30 – $40 |
| Wild Betta | $45 – $80 |
| Mustard gas Betta | $20 – $25 |
| Giant type Betta | $30 |
| Hell boy Betta | $35 |
| Marble Betta | $30 |
| Butterfly Betta | $30 – $45 |
| Galaxy Betta | $20 – $30 |
Some people don’t want fancy strains like Wild Betta or Avatar Betta, lol. They are okay with any strains, but they want good fins and colors. So here is the cost of Betta fish based on their tail and color types.
| Betta type (tail) | Cost |
| Crown tail Betta | $10 – $45 (Depends on strain) |
| Veil tail Betta | $10 – $25 |
| Double tail Betta | $15 – $35 |
| Halfmoon Betta | $20 – $50 (Depends on strain) |
| Delta tail betta | $15 – $30 |
| Plakad tail Betta | $10 – $40 |
After checking many online betta-selling stores, we have found that prices vary significantly in each store, depending on their country. So, we thought it would be great to include the cost of Betta (based on tail types) according to popular online stores like Petco, Prism Betta, BettaSquadUSA, and more.
Note: Prices based on tail types can vary depending on the betta strain. For example, the price of a crown tail in mustard gas betta may differ from a crown tail galaxy betta. Additionally, male bettas often have higher prices than female betta fish.
The Expense to Set Up Betta Fish Tank:
This section covers the average cost to set up a betta fish tank (not a bowl), providing insight for beginners planning to begin a new journey with their betta friend. Let’s break down the setup variables (Here we’re going with a 5-gallon tank setup, as most beginners start with this size. However, if you have a budget, you can opt for a tank with a greater volume as well).
- 5-gallon glass tank
- Betta fish-friendly plants
- Substrate
- Aquarium soil
- Betta fish food
- Betta fish filter (low flow)
- Aquarium water heater
- Aquarium water parameter checker
- Betta fish light
- Betta fish toys
- Common medications
Here, the betta fish lights and toys are optional additions, but having them for the betta will keep them happy around the tank and away from stress and loneliness. Below are the average costs of each item (prices are calculated from Amazon).
| Set up Requirements | Approx. Costs |
| 5-gallon glass tank | $20 – $30 |
| Betta fish-friendly plants | $10 |
| Substrate | $10 |
| Aquarium soil | $10 |
| Betta fish food | $10 |
| Betta fish filter (low flow) | $15 |
| Aquarium water heater | $15 |
| Aquarium water parameter checker | $10 – $15 |
| Betta fish light | $15 |
| Betta fish toys | $10 – $20 |
| Common medications | $20 |
There are some ways you can reduce costs by putting in a little effort. For example, many betta fish toys can be easily made at home through do-it-yourself methods, such as betta tunnels, betta logs, betta hammocks, and more. So, you can get hands-on DIY to reduce some costs on toys/decorations
Other expenses for betta fish:
You will need a spare tank and a hospital tank for betta fish because we cannot always control every situation. Sometimes things can go wrong and be beyond our control, so having a spare tank and hospital tank can save you a lot of time during this journey. I experienced this, which is why I suggest it. The spare and hospital tank can cost approximately $40 + $25.
Monthly Maintenance Cost for Betta Fish:
It’s a common question, but most beginners may have it in mind, so it’s better to address it here. Betta fish are hardy creatures, and their maintenance is relatively easy; proper care is the only thing expected from owners. The average monthly expenses are broken down in the table below for your reference.
| Maintenance parameter | Expense |
| Electricity | $15 – $25 |
| Betta fish food | $10 monthly |
| Conditioned water | $15 |
Here too, preconditioned water can be optional. As long as you properly treat tap water, you can use it for the betta fish.
The electricity bill depends on the type of filter & heater you use; sump or canister types consume more electricity. I suggest using low-flow filters like hang-on or internal filters, which work best for betta fish.
Many people think of starting this betta fish-keeping journey as a business, remember that when you breed your betta fish, the cost of maintenance will increase due to the initial meals for the fries, care for betta fries, grooming, and more.
Final Thoughts:
I believe I have shared the approximate market cost of betta fish based on my experience and research on various online stores. Depending on lineage, quality, gender, age, and tail type, the price will vary significantly. Additionally, the cost to set up a betta fish tank and approximate maintenance cost for the tank are also discussed.
If you want to know about the price of any other betta strains or have any doubts, please feel free to comment or contact me. Thanks for staying till the end. See you again in another post. Bye-bye for now – Thaha