Bet•ta is pronounced “Beh-tah”
not “Bay-tah.” Although it's
been mispronounced for so
long both are commonly accepted
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Bettas need daily care and monitoring
and may not be appropriate for small children.
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view map of wild betta territory | origins
map
why bettas blow bubble
nests
learn how to acclimate your betta
Short-finned bettas | The Plakat
How Bettas brethe| Labyrinth Fish
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Betta
Splendens (Siamese Fighting Fish)
Raising Bettas is
like raising children in that everyone has an opinion on how to do it
right. There is a lot of contradictory information out there and it's
my goal to break some of the myths and offer accurate and current betta
care advice. I've listened to a lot of self acclaimed experts, breeders
and
enthusiasts and have comprised this site based on a great deal of
research mixed with real life experience caring for these beautiful
fish.
Whether
you are researching for your first Betta or have spawned hundreds
yourself; there is information here that can help you to raise
healthier, happier fish.
First and
foremost, Bettas are live animals and should be treated with the same
level of care you would give any other pet. It is our
responsibility, as pet owners, to care for them by giving them
comfortable homes, adequate food supplies and treatment when they are
sick.
Aquarium's (yes even fish bowls) require attention every day and
usually require at least one day a week for cleanings or water
parameter checks. (More on that later) If after browsing this website,
you feel you cannot properly care for your Betta, I urge you to
consider a different pet or none at all until you feel you can.
In
this site you will find information on betta care,
diagnosis & treatment of disease, how to choose a tank, test your
water, feed your betta and choose the right tankmates. There is a ton
of information and we are adding more every day. Check back often.
With all
that said, let's learn about Bettas.
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General
Information
Common Name:
Betta, Siamese Fighting Fish
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Perciformes
Suborder:
Anabantoidei
Family:
Osphronemidae **
Genus:
Betta
Species:
Betta splenden
** recently updated
Care:
Intermediate
Average
Life Span:
3 yrs. [Can live over 5 yrs]
Adult Size: 3” [7cm]
Minimum
Tank Size:
1 gal [3+ gal strongly preferred]
Tank Level: Surface Dweller
Diet:
Carnivorous, live and frozen foods preferred
Social
Behavior:
Males are aggressive toward other males and other Anabantoids. Females
are generally more social. Both can be kept in community tanks but
fish’s specific personality should be considered. It is not generally
suggested to keep males and females together.
Breeding:
Egg-layer, Bubble-nest
builder
Water
Hardness [gh]:
soft [can tolerate a range of gh from soft to fairly hard]
pH Level: slightly acidic [can tolerate a range of pH]
Temperature:
78˚F
Origin:
Thailand, Cambodia
Habitat: Rice-paddies, ponds and streams
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