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Betta Splendens
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Betta or Siamese Fighting Fish
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Photo Credit goes to: Mavericks Marina
Photo Credit goes to: bestbettas@yahoo.com |
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Asia
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Origin |
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Belontiidae
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Family |
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Perciformes |
Order |
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Actinopterygii |
Class |
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3-5" (6-10cm) |
Size |
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6.0-8.0 |
PH |
--- dgh |
GH |
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70-86°F |
Temp. |
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Varies |
Temperament |
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2-4 Years |
Life Span |
Photo Credit goes to: bestbettas@yahoo.com
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Notes:
Discription:
Bettas are one of the most popular fish found in the fresh water hobby. They can be found in a wide variety of colors and fin shapes. Bettas are Labryinth fish, meaning that they breath air. Most fish absorb O2 by filtering water through thier gills. The Betta has a special organ that enables it to absorb O2 directly from the air. This is why you see bettas going to the surface to gulp air.
Males are very territorial. If they see another male, or even their own reflection they will spread their fins and flare their gill covers in an intimidating display at the foe. If this does not frighten off the challenger, the males will then circle and charge at one another, making swift lunges to bite at the others side and fins. Then can cuase serious damage to both parties and can even result in death. Males have been known to attack females as well.
The Betta serves as a good community fish if kept alone. Females are more docile and may be kept in groups. However, there has been occasion where the dominant female in the group exibits agressive behavor toward her own kind. If this occurs, she may need to be seperated. Bettas will get along with most other fish, except a gourami. For some reason problems usually arise between these two types of fish.
Requirments:
Males cannot be kept together. If being kept alone, I suggest nothing smaller than a 5 gallon tank with filtration. Females are less agressive and can be kept together. Both males and females make good community fish and enjoy large tanks.
Contrary to what stores would have you believe, Bettas do not do well in those small cups, Hex containers, or other small units. A Betta does not require oxygenated water, but it does require good clean water (like ANY fish). If you do keep your betta is a hex container without filtration, be sure to change his water often with good clean, dechlorinated water, that is of the same temperature of the water he has been in. Also make sure there is nothing preventing fresh air to contact the waters surface.
Diet:
Bettas will eat both dry and live foods. Be sure to wash any live food before feeding it to your betta, and never refreeze food that has thawed out, it could develop bacteria that will kill your betta. Never let uneaten food rot in the bottom of the tank, it will make your betta sick. Live foods can sometime carry diseases, even if it's fresh. To cut down on diseases, try cultivating your own live foods. Only give your betta fresh food. Save blood worms and brine shrimp as treats. Too much of these can constipate your betta and cuase swim bladder problems. Here is a list of foods you can find at your pet store:
*HBH Betta Bites
*Tetra Bettamin
*Hikari Betta Bio-Gold
*Freeze Dried Bloodworms
*Wardley Betta Food
*Freeze Dried Brine Shrimp
*AquaCulture Bettas
*Live black worms
*Live Mosquito Larvae
*Frozen Bloodworms
*Frozen Brine Shrimp
Sexing:
Males have long flowing fins while females have short fins. Females are more often seen in softer or pastel colors than males. Males are more agressive than females.
Breeding:
The male Betta will blow a bubble nest at the waters surface. Usually, in a secluded area protected by plants, if this is available to him. As the female lays her eggs, the male will quickly usher the eggs to the nest and secure them among the bubbles. There he will stay and guard the eggs until the fry hatches. It is wise to seperate the female from the male at this point. When the fry hatch, they will be very tiny and hardly resemble a fish at all. It will be close to three months before betta fry start looking like a betta.
(Information gathered from personal experience, Cycen Pet Products, and FishBase.org.)
If you see any information that is incorrect, please contact me at: MaverickWashburn@hotmail.com. Please note that the photos shown here are the property of Maverick's Marina or Maverick's Marina has been granted permission to post these photos by their rightful owners.
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