Why This Collection
Walk past any tank on a grey July afternoon in Phnom Penh and you'll notice something: warm-colored fish look flat under monsoon light, but blues, teals and metallics keep their spark. That's the idea behind Rainy Season Blues. The Blue Rim, Blue Samurai and Black Blue plakats carry deep structural blue that catches even weak indoor LED light, the HM Blue Dumbo halfmoon spreads that same blue across a huge fan of fin, and the Blue Tarzan Guppy Pair adds constant, darting movement in matching metallic tones. None of this is filtered-photo hype — it's genuine iridescent pigment, chosen deliberately for the six overcast months ahead.
But this collection isn't only about looking good under grey skies — it's built around the real risk that comes with them. Heavy rain in Cambodia means cooler ambient room temperatures, sudden brief power cuts that stop heaters and filters mid-cycle, and humidity that lets bacteria and fungus multiply faster than in dry season. A betta or guppy that's otherwise healthy can go downhill fast if its water swings even a few degrees for several hours during a storm. Every fish below was picked with that stress in mind — hardy plakat body types alongside one longer-finned halfmoon that needs a bit more attention, so you know exactly what you're taking on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need a heater — isn't Cambodia hot enough already?
Daytime feels hot, but heavy rain and overnight storms can drop indoor temperatures several degrees, especially on ground floors or in tiled rooms. Bettas do best held steady at 26-28°C; a cheap 25W thermostat heater is worth it, particularly for the HM Blue Dumbo, whose long fins are more sensitive to cool swings. The guppy pair tolerates more variation but still colors up and breeds better with stable warmth.
Will the blue color look as strong once the fish is home?
The color is genuine, but light and stress affect how it reads. Without supplemental lighting on a grey monsoon day, even a deep-blue plakat can look muted. New fish also dull slightly for 2-3 days after transport while settling in — this is normal, not a quality issue. Keep water still, feed lightly, and add a timed light; the color returns as the fish relaxes into the tank.
How do I protect the tank if the power goes out during a storm?
Have a battery air pump ready before the rain starts, not after. It keeps oxygen and gentle water movement going without a heater or filter running. Insulate the tank glass with foam board or a towel to slow temperature drop, and avoid feeding heavily until power and filtration are both back — uneaten food fouls water fastest exactly when your filter can't keep up.
Can the Blue Tarzan Guppy Pair share a tank with the bettas in this set?
Not recommended in one shared tank. The Blue Rim, Blue Samurai and Black Blue are plakat bettas — sturdier bodied but naturally territorial, and a guppy's flowing tail is an easy target for nipping. The HM Blue Dumbo's own huge fins make it an even worse match. Keep each betta alone or with true tankmates, and give the guppy pair their own community setup.