Siamese Fighting Fish ( Betta)

These are another popular species of freshwater aquarium fish. They are native to mekong river basin in Thailand. Males preferred to stay away from other males as they will fight each other to death if they see one. Betta have a labyrinth organ in their heads that allows them to take oxygen directly from the atmosphere in addition to the oxygen taken from water via their grills. After saying about that, a betta that can't get to the surface will drown.

Size: abt 6cm (2.3in)
Life Span: 2-5years

Food:
They are carnivorous top feeder meaning they prefer to take meat food from the surface of the water. Bettas that feed on wide range of foods tend to live longer and




have richer color. Betta pellets is a good source of food as they provide a combination of various food and vitamin and usually betta will display nicer color after eating these pellets for sometimes. They love to eat live or frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp or daphnia as well.

Reproduction:
Female lay egg clutches and the male tends to the eggs and newborns. Male betta will build bubble nests of various sizes and thickness near the surface of the water. But both parents do not usually pay attention to the young and might occasionally eat young betta. (More information regarding how to reproduce bettas will be posted for the weeks to come.)

Environment:
Temperature : 24-30°C (75 - 86 °F)
Water parameters ph : 6-7

Tank mates

• Male and female don't mixed unless during breeding. Bettas are not schooling fish, but with a large enough tank, the females can cohabit. When 2 females share a tank, one will usually bullies the other. However 4 or more females will establish a hierachy allowing peaceful co existence
• Many other species tank mate are compatible. Good choices are : Platies, corydoras catfish, loaches and shrimps.
• Bad choices are:
  -Very small fish that seen as food to betta.
  -Fish with long flowing fins that may trigger aggression. i.e Angel fish.
  -Slow swimming fish like guppies will be bullied.
  -Mollies tend to bite the fins of betta and killed them
  -Fish belonging to the same biological family with betta do not co exist together i.e Paradise fish and Gouramis
  -Aggressive fish like piranhas or oscar will take the betta as food.

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