🐟 Samurai Koi Betta Fish (Betta splendens)
Solitary Display Fish • Armor-Like Dragon Scaling Over Koi Marble • Choose Clear, Unobstructed Eyes
 
📋 The Samurai Koi Betta is, at its core, a Dragon Scale betta: thick, opaque, metallic scaling dense enough to look like armour plating, combined here with a koi-style marble colour base. It's a different mechanism from our other koi varieties (Candy, Galaxy, Fancy, and Nemo), which are purely marble-gene colour patterns without the thickened scaling.
The same thick scaling that gives the variety its look can grow over one or both eyes as the fish matures, sometimes called "diamond eye," which can cause partial or full vision loss. It's a genetic trait of heavy scaling and isn't treatable, so the secret to a great Samurai is choosing well: pick a fish whose eyes are clearly visible and unobstructed, and check the eyes periodically as it matures.
The colour base still carries the marble gene, so expect the koi patterning to keep shifting over the fish's life, independent of care. That's normal, not illness. Beyond the colour genetics, care is the same as for any betta: a warm, filtered, solitary setup with smooth décor.
 
💡 Highlights
🛡️ Armor-Like Dragon Scaling: Thick, metallic plating over a koi base
👁️ Choose Clear Eyes: Pick a fish with unobstructed eyes and check them as it matures
🎨 Evolving Koi Colouring: The marble base keeps shifting
👑 A Solitary Display Betta: Best kept individually
🌡️ Loves Warmth and Stability: Same care as any betta