Name- Betta Splendens, aka Siamese fighting fish, aka betta.
Size- up to 3"
They accept any tank sizes, but prefer 5 gallons or larger.
They accept almost all water conditions, except make sure to do constant water changers in tanks with no filter, because like any fish they cant live with ammonias or nitates/ites.
Temp- 65-80 degrees is preferred
Distribution
India, particularly the Malay Peninsula, Singapore, Thailand and also Vietnam.
Biotope
Marshy areas, including rice fields also canals in Thailand.
General Body Form
Long bodied when compared with most other members of the sub order. Anal fin is very long and inserted. Ventral fins are saber shaped. Caudal fin is large and almost circular in shape. The Dorsal fin starts behind the middle of the body. By selective breeding the common Veiltail Bettas we see today bear little resemblance to the wild specimens. They can reach a length of two and one quarter inches (6 cm )
Coloration
The long finned, highly colorful strains of the betta we know today vary greatly from the original wild forms. Today we have Flesh-colored, bright Blue Emerald Green, Red, Red-Violet and even Jet Black. These colors can be found alone or more commonly a mixture of two or more of them. The original form has much less variation. The colors are only intense when the fish is fighting or breeding and tend to be washed out at all other times. When this happens the Betta is a non spectacular Reddish-Brown with two transverse bars visible on the body. Females, even today are mostly Yellow-Brown, with short fins.
Maintenance
Bettas are not at all difficult to keep. They will be very happy in any well lit tank with a dark substrate. The addition of some floating plants will complete the setup. Bettas have an extra organ that allows them to obtain oxygen right from the air and so can be kept in very small quarters if needed. Being tropical in nature they should be kept in water with a temperature range of 73 to 80 degrees f. They have no special requirements regarding water composition and aeration and filtration is not necessary. Bettas like most fish relish live food but have no problems accepting the flake staple foods. Bettas tolerate all other fish well and can be put in a community tank set up. Be sure there are no fin nipping fish like Tiger barbs or your beautiful fish will be stripped of all its fins. The most important thing to remember is that male Bettas will not tolerate the presence of another male and will fight to the death to protect his territory. To this day some Species of Betta are placed together for the sole purpose of fighting, thus the other common name "Siamese Fighting Fish".
http://badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile12.html In my experience, bettas are extremly hardy, and can live in any conditions. Cody was out of water for multiple hours when his tank was knocked over once, and he survived, and is still living 2+years later. They have finnage that consist of Halfmoon, Double Tail, Crown Tail, Veil Tail. Females have short fins, and so can some males. Their ways of lives are very misunderstood. They may live in rice paddies in Thailand and in small pools, but they need more room than a small ½ quart cup. They are happiest with at least a 2gallon tank with gravel and plants. Oh and don’t forget a place to hide. Another misconception is that Siamese fighting fish fight to the death. Most of the time one of the Bettas retreat and find a place to hide. There are many many color strains. Blue and red are main color streams, but there are also multi colors, for example opaque and violet. When threatened they display by erecting their gill covers and spreads their long flowing fins. Plastic plants are not the best for their tank because they seem to get their fins stuck, causing there fins to rip. They grow to about 2inches. All my Bettas love Hikari Bio-Gold pellets. Bettas are Anabantoids along with Gouramis. They have a Labyrinth organ that allows them to breath surface air. Bettas are very easy to keep and low budget fish. Medicine you should have on hand are MelaFix, which works wonders on fin holes, fin rot, and fungus, and many other things. Just be sure to dilute it with water from his/hers tank. If you do not dilute the medication, it could cause gill problems. And BettaMax. Female Bettas are good community fish. The average lifespan is about 2 years. I dont care what people say, bettas need lids. Many bettas have commited fishey "suicide". Although they can breathe out of water for a while, they will probably dry out before they die
*from my site*
They need a heater and filter, but make sure the filter doesnt suck up his fins, or make it hard for him to swim. They will within a few weeks- a month, start to know that you are there mom/dad, and will come to the tank to greet you, but wont greet anyone else. They beg, and can be extremly picky. Food that i have inquired about, and have found oout were really good, other people can add onto the list
Betta Food
Betta Bites
Hikari Betta Bio Gold
Freeze Dried Blood worms
in small tanks, like kritter keepers every day, or every other day 50% water change is necessary.
Profile first posted by fishbabiiPhoto provided by The Tropical Tank