Blue Betta Fish: Rare Varieties, Types & Colors [With Pictures]

You know that feeling when you walk into a pet store and see a betta fish that makes you stop dead in your tracks? That’s exactly what happened to me when I first saw a royal blue betta with fins that looked like flowing silk in an underwater breeze.

Blue bettas aren’t just fish – they’re living jewels that turn any aquarium into an art gallery.

Credit: https://www.reddit.com/user/TinyBugs73/

The Blue Betta Universe: More Than Just “Blue”

Here’s where things get interesting. When someone says “blue betta,” they might be talking about one of nine completely different types of blue fish.

We, represent the presence of the metallic trait by the * gene, and for the iridescent bettas without the metallic trait (which are the ancient iridescent bettas, or also called traditional, respectively, the Royal, Turquoise, and Steel blues), we used the nm gene.

Think of it like ordering coffee – you wouldn’t just say “coffee” if you wanted a specific drink, right?

The Main Blue Betta Types

Type	Description	Rarity Level	Price Range
Steel Blue	Grayish-blue with a ‘blue wash’ appearance	Common	$5-15
Royal Blue	Vibrant, rich blue coloring	Moderate	$10-25
Turquoise	Blue-green metallic mix	Moderate	$15-30
Blue Dragon Scale	Thick metallic scales, armor-like	Rare	$25-100+
Blue Mustard Gas	Blue body with yellow fins	Very Rare	$50-150+
Teal Dragon Scale	Dark blue, white, and black mix	Extremely Rare	$100-500+

Steel Blue Bettas: The Understated Elegance

Steel-blue bettas are grayish-blue in color and have a ‘blue wash’ appearance

Steel blue bettas are like that friend who looks effortlessly cool without trying. They have this subtle, muted blue color that’s almost gray but catches the light just right.

Credit: https://www.reddit.com/user/Solo_Cup_Martini/

Perfect for beginners who want something beautiful but not too flashy.

Royal Blue Bettas: The Crown Jewels

Now we’re talking! Royal blue bettas are what most people picture when they think “blue betta fish.”

royal blue and turquoise blue bettas have a vibrant and rich blue coloring

These fish have that deep, electric blue that practically glows under aquarium lights. It’s the kind of blue that makes people say “wow” when they see your tank.

Fun fact: turquoise x steel blue will yield 100% royal blues, no problem – breeding magic!

Turquoise Bettas: Where Blue Meets Green

Physical turquoise betta color characteristics is Solid color like Blue mixed green metallic should be balance color body and fin is perfect for competition and this color is classified as the color that is closest to green betta fish

Turquoise bettas are like having a piece of tropical ocean in your living room. The blue-green shimmer changes depending on the angle you’re looking from.

These fish are especially popular in betta competitions because of their balanced coloring.

Blue Dragon Scale Bettas: The Armor-Plated Warriors

Want something that looks like it swam straight out of a fantasy movie?

The teal dragon-scale Betta fish has a teal, dark blue, white, and black coloration. Since this Betta fish has the dragon scale morph, they will have thick white scales covering their bodies, but in the case of the teal dragon scale Betta, these thick scales look more teal in good lighting

Dragon scale bettas have these incredible thick, metallic scales that look like medieval armor. Under the right lighting, they practically sparkle.

Warning: Dragon scale bettas can develop “diamond eye” where scales grow over their eyes, causing blindness. It’s rare, but something to watch for.

Credit: https://www.reddit.com/user/Ok-Waltz-7011/

Blue Mustard Gas Bettas: The Color-Block Rebels

This is where betta breeding gets creative and a little weird (in the best way).

Physical blue mustard gas betta color characteristics is Blue color on body scales like Dragon genetic but fin is yellow like mustard color

Imagine a fish that’s blue everywhere except its fins, which are bright yellow. It sounds like it shouldn’t work, but it absolutely does.

These guys are living proof that nature has a better eye for color combinations than most interior designers.

The Genetics Behind Blue Bettas

Here’s where things get really nerdy (and I love it).

Betta fish have four skin color layers. The top iridescent layer, which is often blue or green, is most dense in the top layer

Blue coloring in bettas comes from the iridescent layer on top, which works like a filter over the other color layers. It’s like having natural Instagram filters built into their skin.

What happens when you breed royal blue bettas? They produce lovely turquoise, steel blue, and royal blue colors

Rare Blue Varieties That’ll Make Your Wallet Cry

Blue Avatar Bettas

Physical avatar betta color characteristics is Blue and Green scales and fin but body is Black color. Some have red or orange on fin That’s mean still not stable genetic better avatar should be shine in the dark Shiny green or blue

These are so new and rare that breeders are still working on stabilizing the genetics. The goal is to make them literally glow in the dark.

White Opal Bettas

A beautiful and rare coloring of Betta fish that is highly sought out would be the white opal Betta fish. This describes a white Betta fish with various colors that shimmer under bright lighting. These pastel colors include reds, oranges, and blues, with a hint of purple and pink

Think of a white canvas with blue undertones that shift and change in the light. These fish are living mood rings.

What Makes Blue Bettas So Expensive?

The price isn’t just about looking pretty (though they definitely do that).

A few factors go into the price of fancy betta fish. The first is the beauty and appeal of the fish. Of course, plenty of other bettas with beautiful shapes and colors cost just a few dollars, which brings us to the next factor – scarcity. The rarer a betta, the more valuable it is

Factors That Drive Up Prices:

Rarity: Some color combinations happen in 1 out of 100,000 fish
Breeding difficulty: Getting stable genetics takes years
Competition quality: Show-ready fish command premium prices
Breeder reputation: Top Thai breeders are like the Rolex of bettas

The most expensive betta fish ever sold was a Thai-colored plakat betta in November 2016. This betta fish had colors similar to the Thai national flag and was auctioned on an online site and sold for 53,500 baht (or $1,530)

Blue Betta Care: Keeping Your Living Jewel Happy

Blue bettas aren’t any harder to care for than other colors, but their beauty deserves the best treatment.

Tank Requirements:

Minimum 5 gallons (bigger is always better)
Heater maintaining 78-80°F
Gentle filtration (bettas hate strong currents)
Good lighting to show off those colors

Pro Tip About Lighting

If you plan on keeping orange betta fish, it is important to have full color-spectrum lighting in your fish tank, as tanks with poor lighting often make orange bettas appear to be a reddish color rather than their actual orange/tangerine color

The same goes for blues – proper lighting makes all the difference in seeing their true colors.

Credit: https://www.reddit.com/user/WeakSalamander1107/

Choosing Your Blue Betta: What to Look For

Shopping for a blue betta? Here’s what separates the gems from the duds:

Health Check:

Active swimming (not sluggish or floating)
Clear, bright eyes (no cloudiness)
Intact fins (no tears or rot)
Good appetite when fed

Color Quality:

Even distribution of color
Good contrast between body and fins
Metallic sheen where expected
No stress stripes (horizontal lines)

The Future of Blue Bettas

Breeders are constantly pushing boundaries, creating new varieties that didn’t exist even five years ago.

2025 is a breakthrough year for betta breeding. From galaxy metallics to dragon-vanda hybrids, each new strain brings unmatched beauty and exclusivity

We’re seeing combinations like:

Galaxy metallics with starfield patterns
Dragon-Vanda hybrids (appearing in only 1 out of 3,000 bettas)
Multicolor metallics with shifting hues

Common Blue Betta Myths (Busted!)

Myth: “Blue bettas are more aggressive than other colors”
Truth: Blue-finned males are one of the more aggressive betta fish varieties – but aggression is more about individual personality than color.

Myth: “All blue bettas look the same”
Truth: There are nine distinct types of blue bettas, each with unique characteristics.

Myth: “Blue bettas are harder to care for”
Truth: Color doesn’t affect care requirements – all bettas need the same basic setup.

Credit: https://www.reddit.com/user/cliniquegirl10/

Where to Buy Quality Blue Bettas

Not all bettas are created equal. Here’s where to find the good stuff:

Local Fish Stores

Great for seeing the fish in person and supporting local business. Selection might be limited, but you can inspect before buying.

Online Specialists

When it comes to Betta fish, there’s no better place to find championship quality than Thailand. Our selection of Rare Betta Fish for sale comes from our farm and other prestigious breeders in the country, including those who have bred championship-winning fish

What to Avoid

Pet store “bargain” bettas that look sick
Sellers who won’t provide health guarantees
Fish shipped during extreme weather

The Bottom Line

Blue bettas are more than just pets – they’re living art that brings joy every single day.

Whether you go for a $10 steel blue or splurge on a $500 dragon scale, you’re getting a companion that’ll fascinate you for years.

Just remember: the most beautiful betta is a healthy, happy one swimming in a proper setup. Start with good care, and the beauty will follow.

And hey, if you end up with multiple tanks because you “just had to have” that turquoise betta too… welcome to the club. We’ve all been there.

Blue Betta Fish: Rare Varieties, Types & Colors [With Pictures]