Siamese fighting fish

The appearance of Betta splendens or Siamese fighting fish attracts most of the fish keepers. These colourful fishes comes from the slow moving water of rice peddies, stagnant pools and streams of South East Asian countries like as Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Their body is streamlines and covered with scales. The scales are covered by a layer of mucus. The layer of mucus protects them from infections. The scales of Bettas are almost colourless. The colour of Betta comes from pigment cells present in their skin. In nature, they are not found so much colourfull as available in pet shops. Their red, blue, white, black, yellow and other colours ae result of selective breeding. Due to vibrant colours and long fins, Betta is one of the most popular pet fish.

They can survive in low oxygenated water ad a wide range of different environments. They have a unique labyrinth organ that allow them to breath directly from air. They are capable to breath in air, so most of the pet shops, keeps them in small pots where hardly then can swim. This is cruelty against them. Some fish keepers also keep them in small pots, bowls etc. It is unethical and cruelty towards a live animals.          

Ideal conditions for keeping Bettas

Keeping Bettas in small pots and bowls can hurt them. They need consistent water parameters and temperature. The acceptable water temperature is 22 degree Celsius to 26 degree Celsius. The pH should be between 6 to 8. Sudden change in water parameters is very bad for their health. They like shallow tank in comparison of deep tanks. So a 20 liter tank is enough for single Bettas with two female. They are terrestrial so never keep two males in a same tank.   They can also be keep in community tanks with small and peaceful fishes. Never keep them with barbs, mollies, guppies which have tendency of nipping fins of other fishes. So avoid to keep Bettas with fin nipping fishes.

In nature, they feed on small insects, mosquitoes, flies and larva. But in aquariums they can accept flake foods. Occasionally, provide them some live foods high in protein. Blood worms, mosquito larva can be good choice of live food. They also need fiber in their diet. In nature, they got fibre from exoskeletons of insects and vegetation. So always try to provide them healthy food otherwise they will end up within a few days.

There is a myth to keep them in small pots and tanks. In nature, their natural territory is around 3 square feet area. Their natural habitat is full of vegetation with slow moving water. During dry season, water evaporates and remains in form of small pools and mud. They can live in small water pools and in wet mud for a few days.  They are also good jumpers and use this ability during the dry season to jump from drying pools to bigger pools or water bodies.

One square feet swallow tank can be use to keep a male Bettas with a few females. There should be proper arrangement of filtration and heater. Vegetation in tank provides them feeling of natural habitat. Keeping them in tiny pots and bowls is like as their natural survival in small pools where they survive but could not thrive.             

Bettas are also known as fighting fish due to their tendency to fight with other males. Two Males in same tank, fights till the death of one male.  

In nature, male Bettas create a bubbles nest with the help of air and their saliva. They attract the females by their long fins and showing big size. When a egg bearing female fish comes near the nest, the Male attracts female and wraps himself around the females. The female fish lays eggs in the nest and ran away. The male guards and fertilize the eggs till the tiny fry take birth. They are also known to protect their fry and provide them food. In tanks when male make bubble nest, females Bettas carrying eggs should be release. Just after laying eggs, female should be remove from the tank.   

Bettas are one of the most colorfull results of selective breeding. They can live upto 3-4 years in ideal conditions. Their longs fins and vibrant colours is gift of nature for fish keepers.

Precautions with Betta splendens

• Never offer them too much food. Sometimes they die due to eating too much. If fish starts swimming strangely, don’t feed them 1-2 days.
• Keep them with smooth substrate. Sharp substrate and  decorative materials can lead to cuts and scars. These scars and cuts can lead to many types of infections.  
• Maintain the good quality of water. Dirty water may cause fin rot infection.Ensure the clean and chemical pollutant free water for the aquarium.