Betta fish, everything you need to know about them

In the world of fish and aquariums there are some very spectacular due to their bright coloration and their unique fins. Fish with a great variety of shapes and with unique characteristics that are worth knowing.

In this case, we talk about the Betta Fish. A fish well known for its bright and showy colors, known for being Siamese fighting fish and for the aggressiveness that the male has towards other betta fish. Do you want to know everything about these fish?

Origin of the Betta Fish

The origin of betta fish can be traced for the first time in Southeast Asia. They had their habitats in places like rice fields, ditches used for drainage, and in some ponds in the region's warm floodplains. These fish have suffered numerous storms, floods and devastating droughts and have been able to develop incredible adaptation mechanisms that they make them able to survive in almost any environment.

One of the features it has developed to adapt well to the harshest environments is the to be able to breathe oxygen directly from the air by taking it through their gills. It is not a continuous ability, but it can survive for short periods of time out of the water. In the case of finding itself with little amount of water around it, simply by staying humid, it is able to inhale the air that surrounds it. Therefore, we find fish that are capable of surviving in almost any environment, even if it has little water.

Although betta fish can survive in small spaces and in water that is not very good quality, they do best in small aquariums. In order for them to survive well and have a good quality of life, we must provide regular changes in the water. What's more, the most optimal temperature for its growth and development is between 24 and 27 degrees.

What is the name of Betta?

There is a name from an ancient clan of warriors called Bettah. These fish, as mentioned before, are quite violent and good fighters. Therefore, in the name of this clan of warriors, they have given it this name, since the fights de peces They also became popular in the mid-19th century. This fighting sport de peces It became so famous in Thailand that the former king of Siam legally regulated it. However, the fights de peces They were not evaluated by the victory of one or the other or by the damage that one fish inflicted on another, but by their bravery.

Bettas' favorite food

Bettas have a turned mouth and normally feed on the surface of the water. Because they are able to breathe for short periods of time out of the water, they are not afraid of approaching the surface.

Among the food that best suits your diet, we find with dried bloodworms (a kind of worms), brine shrimp or daphnia. Commercial foods for Bettas they are better since they combine these three foods and as a supplement they add vitamins and minerals. The fact that Betta fish eat these types of foods makes the coloration even brighter and more spectacular, to speak of increasing the longevity of the Betta.

Related article:

Fish food dispenser

There is a myth that says that peace lilies or the roots of plants grown in the habitats of Betta fish can serve as food for them. But this is just a myth, since Bettas they cannot survive on plant roots. This occurs because Bettas need a diet rich in protein and fiber.

PREMIUM QUALITY de peces Betta

There is a lot of types de peces betta. These are different phenotypes of the same species. Some of the most appreciated types of betta splendens are:

• The crown betta fish: It is a modification that makes its tail and fins have slits, resembling the shape of the beaks of a crown.
• Betta cooper fish is characterized by its special colors. It has a dark hue, which reflects light with metallic tones. Hence its name, since "cooper" means copper.
• Betta dragon fish it is characterized by a special scale. Its scales are larger, especially they reflect light differently, emitting white-like flashes.

Later, some breeders are developing fish that have several characteristics in a single specimen, so there are already fish black cooper dragon or red cooper dragon.

Reproduction of betta fish

As for reproduction we will have to add some moss so they can eat and build the nest. We can also place a plastic cup. The male and the female must know each other, otherwise, if we put the female in without the male knowing her, he will treat her as an intruder and attack him. For this we must separate the aquarium by means of a plastic or glass so that they can be observed without touching.

When the male makes the nest with the mosses and we see that the female is receptive for wanting to leave her environment, it is time to bring them together. The male will take some time to actively seek her out, but then he will place his fins in a big hug and in a few minutes he will get the female pregnant. It will lay the eggs in the nest and leave. The female must be returned to the other aquarium, since the male could become aggressive.

What Aquarium Conditions Are Best For Bettas?

As mentioned before, Bettas are very violent fish and they will not hesitate to fight each other. Regardless of gender, Betta fish begin fighting almost at the moment of contact. Although in general, Bettas prefer to swim alone and prefer a good place where they are comfortable and can hide. All the water caves or the dense and planty corners They work very well to make a Betta feel safe.

Regarding the quality of the water, it has to be ensured that only one third of the water is removed each time it is replaced by fresh water. This allows the fish to adjust the temperature and pH of the clean water and to acclimatize and adapt to the environment. The water should be changed every three or four days for tanks that are smaller so as not to alter the biological balance of the fish environment. You have to measure the chlorine levels very well and if it is seen that it has a high level, you should add a drop of dechlorinator to the tap water before adding it to the tank. Neither soap nor disinfectants should be used to clean the ornaments or decorations, since it will harm the health of the fish. To clean the ornaments it is better to use hot water.

Signs to know that the Betta fish is healthy

When we have Betta fish in our aquarium we have to take into account several factors that will indicate that the health status and living conditions of the fish are adequate. The first thing we have to look at is whether the fish is active and alert. If we see that he responds well to stimuli, it is because he is not well fed or is not in good condition. We also have to note that eat regularly. If you react aggressively to external stimuli, the fish is in optimal condition. Regarding the appearance, for males it can serve as an indicator of good health the fact that its colors are strong and vibrant.

To have our Betta fish in good health, we have to avoid the conditions of overcrowding. These situations are a major cause of stress and illness. To do this, we must maintain good water quality, with regular changes and adequate filtration.

Signs that tell us that something is wrong

Just as there are indicators of the good health of the fish, there are also indicators to see if we are not doing something right. The first thing is that the colors are not so bright or do not eat regularly. We can also look at:

• Stains or fungus on the body or mouth
• Cloudy eyes
• Elevated scales
• Fins abnormally frayed
• Languor
• Forced breaths
• Erratic swimming
• Weight loss
• Swelling

Differences between male and female

The male Betta fish has a longer body than the female. In addition, it has larger fins than that of the female and much more colorful. However, female Betta fish have a more similar variety of colors throughout the entire body. Another big difference is aggressiveness. The male is much more aggressive than the female and is not able to live with another male fish without fighting. Females can live together up to 5 of them without competing.

In terms of care, female Betta fish last between four or five years and cannot be in very small places unless the water is changed at least twice a week. In the case of males, they are better off swimming in calm, unfiltered waters.

How to care for a Betta fish

Betta fish generally they are very resistant and easy to care for.

If you wonder how long a betta fish lives, often over three years if adequate food and water conditions are maintained. If cared for correctly, your Betta fish will remain vibrant, colorful and happy for a very long time.

Habitat

Many people who have Betta fish and know that they are capable of living in shallow water, they keep their fish in small bowls. However, the optimal conditions in which fish thrive best in warm water and somewhat deeper water. If the pond temperature drops below 22 degrees or so, the fish will get sick.  The best temperature is about 26 degrees so that they are more comfortable and a neutral or slightly acidic pH (6,5 at most).

For this, we recommend that you have some aquarium heater or with a water quality level meter to ensure at all times that the water conditions are suitable for Betta fish.

Habitat dimensions and compatibility

Although Bettas are very aggressive fish, it does not mean that they have to live alone. Yes it is true that a male Betta fish is much better when he is the only Betta in the tank. Males tend to fight other bettas of any gender. But you can add a single male to a community tank with other species de peces not aggressive. On the other hand, up to five female bettas can be kept together in relative harmony in a tank.

The fish fighting problem starts when two males are placed in the same tank or when a beta male is in a community tank with other fish that are also aggressive. We also have to take into account that we should not keep betta fish with other colorful fish, since these can confuse it with other Bettas and attack them.

Accessories of a Betta fish tank

Bettas love having places to hide, especially females. For it we must implement a few hiding places to keep them happy. If you want to add plants, better live natural plants or those that are made exclusively for Bettas. Normal plastic plants can damage the fins of the fish.

They can also survive without any air pump, unlike other fish. Although it is better if the tank is aerated. Betta aquariums must have a cover of some kind to prevent the fish from jumping. The tank should also be filled no more than 80 percent. Because when these fish get excited, they can jump out of the water. Sometimes they make it as high as three inches above the surface.

Lastly, Betta fish prices vary between the 5 euros and the 15 €. The more colorful and large it is, the more expensive they are. Betta fry are sold for 1 euro.

As you can see, these fish can be somewhat violent and fighting, but they are all wonderful and easy to care for.