A Siamese fighting fish in the colours of the Thai flag has been bought for 53,500 baht (£1,200) at an online auction.

The fish, which has blue, red and white horizontal stripes, is believed to have sold for more than double the previous record for the species.

Photos of it went viral after Kachen Worachai, 40, who breeds Siamese fighting fish, or Betta, as a hobby, posted them on a private auction group on Facebook.

On Thursday, Kachen, a convenience store owner, said he expected the fish to sell for a few thousand baht. On the second day of the auction, bidding had reached 10,000 baht. The opening bid price had been 99 baht.

A Thailand flag flies above supporters at a World Cup qualifying match against Australia in Bangkok. Photograph: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“I never expected my fish to go for this price,” Kachen said, adding that unsuccessful attempts had previously been made to breed Betta in the flag’s colours.

The previous record price, 23,500 baht, was for a half-moon Betta, he said.

“The chance of getting a fish with the flag’s exact colour is about one in 100,000,” Kachen said. “So many people have tried to breed the Thai flag colours. Luck was really on my side.”