The Betta fish is a small freshwater fish native to the Mekong River in southeastern Asia. This is one of those species that has been bred for so long that it no longer exists in its natural form, and now there are two different Betta fishes: the Betta splendens (male) and Betta smaragdina (female). There is a great differentiation between these two types of Betta fishes, but also within each type as well. The males have much more colorful fins than females in addition to being much larger with their body size. They also have an aggressive character when they are adults while the female Bettas remain calm and balanced.
Male Betta fish: The Betta splendens, also known as a Siam fighter. There is a great differentiation between the male betta fish and the female betta fish and this is their fins. Male Bettas have much more colorful fins than females in addition to being larger with their body size. They are aggressive character when they are adults while the female Bettas remain calm and balanced.
Female Betta Fish: The Betta smaragdina, also known as Crystal Fighters or Siamese Fighting Fish (SFF). This type of Betta has largely been bred out but does still exist naturally in some parts of Asia – particularly Thailand which it derives its name from. Its main differences are that its fins are a lot smaller and its abdomen is significantly less developed. Betta smaragdina also has a coloration that mostly consists of greens, whites, yellows, and browns.
Betta Fish Facts
Betta fish are native to Asia, where they live in the shallow water of marshes, ponds, or slow-moving streams. Male bettas build bubble nests for their young with their mouths and fiercely protect them from predators just like us! Just as humans do not have true eyelids that cover our eyes all day long; betta fish also need darkness at night to sleep well because unlike some other animals who only require a few hours each day.
Betta fish are diurnal meaning active during daylight hours but requires restful slumber when it’s dark out which is why pet owners should provide an aquarium light timer so your favorite finned friend can get plenty of shut-eye every single night without you having to worry about turning off lights manually.
When captured in the wild, betta fish are often separated from their families and then kept under terrible conditions. Most breeder farms for these beauties lie overseas near Thailand or other countries within Southeast Asia where it’s very common to keep them locked up in small bottles which can hold as little as 2 gallons of water at a time! When they get shipped over here, they are dumped into baskets with nets that cover each one so you don’t see its face until scooped up by an employee who dumps your new pet inside a tiny plastic cup.
How much does a betta fish live?
Betta fish can live up to 5 years in properly maintained conditions. This animal is usually used as a pet especially for beginners because of its small size and low-maintenance needs. Bettas are also quite easy to keep, unlike some other fish species. They feed on tiny aquatic creatures, just like mosquito larvae; most lettuce leaves will suffice (especially if they’re pushed against a filter system) as well as flake or pellet food from time to time. Other than this initial feeding schedule, the only other requirement is that you have enough space for it to swim around and occasionally find an adequate hiding place (inside plants work well).
Types of Betta Fish
There is a great variety of types of betta fish, presenting differences between each one. However, not all species of bettas are for sale because they are wild bettas spices and are in danger of extinction. The most commercialized species of bettas are those that are the fruit of the selective breeding and hybridization that betta breeders have made. Species of betta fish according to color. In addition to the shape of its tail or veil, we can distinguish different varieties of betta fish according to the color or color pattern they present.
Betta Butterfly Fish
The Betta butterflyfish is a species that can be found in the waters of Southeast Asia, and it has been captivating both hobbyists and aquarists around the world. With a lifespan of 3-5 years on average, these freshwater fish are one of the most popular pets for children and adults alike. They come in many different shapes and colors like reds, oranges, yellows, greens, blues, and blacks. These beautiful fish have long fins with intricate patterns that they use to attract mates or scare away predators. They are also known as Siamese Fighting Fish because they will often fight each other when put together in an aquarium. If you’re looking for a new pet this may be perfect!
Dragon Betta Fish
Dragon betta fish is a type of betta fish that has beautiful red and white patterns. They love to swim around in their aquariums, often spending hours on end exploring every inch of the tank. Dragon betas need room to explore, so be careful not to buy a small tank for them!
Cambodian Betta Fish
Cambodian betta fish is a variation of the bi-colored pattern. Still, they’re sufficiently distinct to have earned their own name in Cambodian culture. In these types of bettas, the body is usually white or pink, and brightly colored fins flare up on both sides – typically red but other colors can occur too! Male Cambodians also show some similarities with normal (not extended) reds by having less black across them than usual because it’s been suppressed for unknown reasons.
Marble betta fish
Marble betta fish is one of the more exotic varieties of Betta splendens, a type of fighting fish. They’re also known as marble ichthyosis or marble Ictalurus. These types of bettas have an appearance that is similar to a leucistic (or “white”) specimen, but they still possess some color on their scales and fins. Their colors can range from cream to brownish-grey with dark grey spots covering their body and head. The different colors give these animals a cool look!
Compatibility of the betta fish with other fish
When it comes to choosing which fish you can put together in the aquarium, it is important that the breeders are well informed to avoid tragedies. In the case of the betta fish, we can not join it with fish that can bite its fins. So we must discard the fish of the tetras and Pontius family. Also, the breeder should avoid fish that are territorial like the angelfish of freshwater. Or maybe very eye-catching fish such as guppies as it could confuse it with another male betta fish and attack it.
Fish compatible with Betta fish
These are the species that are compatible with bettas:
- Cherry Barbo
- Ancistrus and loricariids
- Botas
- Danios
- Chinese Chupaalgas
- Corydoras
- Khalis
- Mollys
- Platys
- Rasboras
As for bettas females, there are not as many compatibility limitations. However, it is better to combine them with species from the same geographical areas. Since they will be compatible both for the behavior and the quality of the water. You may also like to read Rainbowfish
Betta Fish Care
If the breeders want to care for the betta fish in the best possible way and have good health, it is important that the breeder first know the care it needs. Such as the quality of the water and its nutritional needs. Breeders should not be fooled by how they have this species in stores. Well, although sometimes it is in very small tanks, that does not mean that they must live in those conditions.
Aquarium or Fish Tank
The first thing that breeders should keep in mind when choosing an aquarium for the beta fish is whether it will be a single betta or several. And whether it will be taken as an amateur or for breeding. If the breeder is an amateur and what he wants is to have one or more betta fish at home to be able to enjoy them, then he should pay attention to the size of the aquarium that we choose. If the breeder has only one betta fish, he needs an aquarium of at least 20 liters capacity.
On the other hand, if the breeder wants to have more than one betta fish in the aquarium, the breeder must remember that it can not have more than one male. Ideally, have at least 3 females. Because if the breeder only has 2 females the male will stress them too much and the situation could end in tragedy. In this case, the aquarium must be at least 50 or 60 liters capacity. In the fish tank, we must put natural decoration and some aquarium plants that are easy to maintain.
Betta fish feeding
Betta fish have an omnivorous diet and require a high protein content, although they tend to prefer carnivorous food. In the market, you can find food for betta fish composed of granules that must be moistened before giving it. These granules are usually made of liver and heart of beef. To provide a well-balanced diet to betta fish it is better to offer a varied diet based on dry food. You may also like to read
And live food as an oat worm or frozen as larvae. In addition, the breeder should also give vegetables, something that will cost because they usually do not like them. This plant contribution is very important because they are prone to intestinal obstructions that can end up being serious. The vegetable that they usually accept is a pea. To give the peas to the fish, the breeder must cook them for a few minutes, remove the skin and crush them with a fork.
Reproduction
When the male meets a female, he opens his fins and performs a kind of dance to woo her and get her attention. If the female accepts it, the color of her skin will darken forming vertical lines. When the female changes its color, the male begins to make a bubble nest on the water. Once the nest is made, the male will begin to chase the female until he agrees to place himself under the nest. The moment when the male will hug her to press her abdomen and eject the eggs. This behavior will be repeated several times until the female has expelled all the eggs.
FAQ
Are betta fish hard to care for?
Betta fish are not especially difficult to care for, as long as their basic needs are met. They require a tank of at least two gallons in size and should be kept in water that is between 72 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Bettas also need clean water with an appropriate pH level, which can be achieved through regular partial water changes. Additionally, they should be fed a high-quality betta food or other small pellets twice a day.
Can betta fish bite you?
Betta fish can bite, but it is not common. They are carnivorous and will sometimes nibble on their owners’ fingers if they are trying to feed them. However, these bites are usually not painful and should not cause any harm. It is important to monitor how your betta fish interacts with you and to only offer food when they are ready to eat. If they start biting, it could be a sign that they are feeling stressed or threatened. In this case, it may be best to leave the fish alone for a while until it calms down.
Can you put two betta fish together?
It is not recommended to put two betta fish together in the same tank. Bettas are territorial and will fight with each other if they are placed in the same tank, which can lead to serious injury or death. If you want to keep more than one betta fish, it is best to have separate tanks for each fish.
Conclusion
In this blog post, we’ve reviewed the basics of caring for a betta fish. We hope that you found our guide helpful and informative! If so, please share it with friends who may be interested in learning how to care for their new pet. Good luck on your quest to find the perfect home for your betta fish!
As a Reference: Wikipedia
