The Siamese fighting fish, also sometimes colloquially known as the betta (Betta splendens), is a species in the gourami family which is popular as an aquarium fish. This species is native to the Mekong basin of Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, where it can be found in standing waters of canals, rice paddies, and floodplains.They are called pla-kad (biting fish) in Thai or trey krem in Khmer. They tend to be rather aggressive. In January 2014 a large population of the fish was discovered in theAdelaide River Floodplain in the Northern Territory, Australia. As an invasive species they pose a threat to native fish, frogs and other wildlife in the wetlands.
Bettas do have an aggressive nature, because they have to survive in small bodies of water, and therefore must defend their territories and their females against other males. This fierceness is what led to breeding the Betta as a fighting fish. In the wild, Bettas spar for only a few minutes or so before one fish backs off – and no harm comes to either. In captivity this can carry on for hours, even unto death – while large amounts of money are wagered, often with potential losses as great as a person’s home! Although this is no longer legal, Siamese fish fighting still takes place.
Betta splendens have been affectionately nicknamed “The Jewel of the Orient” due to their beauty and wide range of colours – which are produced through selective breeding. Wild Bettas exhibit strong colours only when agitated. But over many years breeders have been able to make this colouration permanent, and a wide variety of hues breed true.
Colours available to the aquarist include red, blue, turquoise, orange, yellow, green, bright blue with pink highlights, cream and even true opaque white – not to be confused with albino, which is still fervently sought. The shades of blue, turquoise and green are slightly iridescent, and can appear to change colour with different lighting conditions or viewing angles; this is because these colours, unlike black or red, are not due to pigments, but are created through refraction within a layer of translucent guanine crystals. Breeders have also developed different colour patterns such as marble and butterfly, as well as metallic shades like copper, gold, or platinum mainly by crossing B. splendens with other Betta species. And they are still at it.
Whereas Male Bettas have always been traded preferentially, because of their beauty compared to the females, recently breeders have developed the same range of colours in females previously only bred in males. Of course, females never develop fins as showy as the males of the same type and are often more subdued in colouration. But they have now become an attractive option for the aquarist.
In the wild Betta Fish seldom survive for more than a year or two. However, when they’re bred in captivity and are kept in ideal conditions Betta Fish can live anywhere up to 2-4 years.
HOW TO IDENTIFY BETTA CROWNTAILS
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HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR FISH
2. A fish should not have holes in it’s fins. Bettas sometimes have “stringy” fins, but if the strings seem irregular or if there are holes in the fins, this may mean the fish is sick.
3. Eyes. The fish’s eyes should be healthy and shiny, which is sometimes hard to see underwater. However, if the eyes are really bad, you will be able to tell.
4. The fish should respond to you waving your hand in front of it. Fish do not like it if you tap on the side of the tank, so waving your hand a few times is a better alternative. If the fish moves, it’s probably healthy.
Remember, it’s okay to get a fish that doesn’t look 100% healthy. Pick the fish you like. Besides, it will probably perk up once you get it into warmer water, in it’s new bowl.
The Tank




1. Plants- bettas like to rest in plants. You can use fake plants, or buy real ones. Make sure they come from the pet store, and are meant to be underwater. Other plants, fake or real, can poison your fish. I also do not recommend using “betta bulbs,” because they can grow fungus and poison your fish.
2. Size- Bettas can live in small spaces, but they will be uncomfortable in anything less than a half gallon. 1 gallon is probably ideal. If you have more than 5 gallons, you need a filter.
3. Cleaning- You should clean your betta’s tank once every week. Make sure you rinse the gravel and any decoration, and these things can get dirty and make your fish sick.
4. Water temperature- Bettas are considered tropical fish, so they are most comfortable in warmer water. The water should be between 70 and 80 degrees.
5. Do not put your tank in direct sun. This is bad for the fish, and will aggravate it.
I don’t know much about this, but bettas are sensitive to the pH levels, so it might be good to invest in a pH test kit for the first few weeks that you have your fish. If the levels remain normal, you will not need to test anymore, but of the levels fluctuate often, you may need to change something on your tank.
Also, keep male bettas separate. There are tanks that come with dividers to keep your fish separated. You can however, have as many as 5 female bettas living together, and 1 male with them, as long as they don’t fight.
Last of all, wall mounted tanks are hard to clean, so if you want one, make sure you have a way to maintain it.
Feeding and Cleaning

Resource : Yahoo voices
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