27th Oct 2009
Betta Fish Facts
Betta fish are probably one of the nicest looking fish around. Also known as Siamese Fighting Fish (Betta splendens), they are one of the most popular specie for freshwater aquarium display. These ray-finned creatures are most appreciated for their brilliant colors. Though they come in all sorts of shades, red, blue and green are the most common. They often come in a combination of such colors and results in very unique color designs. Male betas tend to be more colourful and have longer fins than the females.
These creatures require very little to survive. Because of the low cost of maintenance and ease of care, they are more preferred to be kept by aquarium owners and fish enthusiasts. Those who are starting out in their fish keeping hobby tend to be advised on this specie over others that require a great deal of time and attention, and more often expertise to make them thrive. Bettas are discovered to tolerate poor water conditions and could live in smaller spaces (like small sized aquariums). But that doesn’t mean they have to be kept such way. Like any other fish, you need to provide them proper habitat and regular water change. Betta fishes have a fairly short lifespan, but with the right conditions, they could live up to three or four years.
Bettas are called Siamese Fighting Fish for a reason – - – they actually fight. Their aggressive nature is a distinguishing trait for Betta fishes. Such behavior stems from the need to protect their territory and to eliminate competition for food. The males tend to be more aggressive towards each other and even their own reflection could intimidate them as they perceive it as another male. Since Siams/Bettas only attack other males, it is never a wise idea to put two males on the same tank, as it would always result on one of them dying. However, a male betta may also attack a female if he feels threatened by her. Its aggression is easily seen when a betta would flare up his fins to try to make himself appear bigger and more superior than the other one. Female betas, on the other hand, are not aggressive and would do well if placed together.
Bettas breed quite different too. A male “courts” a female betta by building a bubble-nest among the leaves of floating plants where the eggs spawned by the female would be placed later on and would be fertilised by the male Betta himself. One other distinct feature of Siams/Bettas is their ability to breathe oxygen both in water and air owed to the labyrinth organ in their heads. This enables them to live in oxygen-poor environments. But that doesn’t mean they require less oxygen than other species. By nature, bettas feed almost exclusively on insects and larvae. Frozen or freeze-dried bone shrimp, daphnia, plankton, glassworms could be excellent options for feeding your betta pets.
Bettas bring a lot of life and beauty wherever you place them. They may have an aggressive nature, but some betas love to be raised from the water and stroked. They love swimming in their caregiver’s hand. You see, they can have their own personalities and could be man’s bestfriend. The beauty, grace and unique personalities of Bettas make them ideal pets.
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