Enjoying Betta Splendens

The  Betta  splendens  fish  hails from Asia, predominately Thailand and Malaysia. Others of the same family are found in Indonesia and Singapore. Of the twenty-five species in the family, only about six of them are found in aquariums including the  Betta  splendens.

The popular name for these fish is the Siamese fighting fish because of their aggressive behavior when in the same tank as others of their kind. Breeders used this behavior in the past when breeding for its fighting abilities. Today it is bred for its colours and fin length and can be safely kept in a tank with other small short finfish like tetras or danios.

The  Betta   fish  belong to a group known as anabantids. These fish are also known as labyrinth fish because of their ability to breathe air from the surface of the water. The organ has adapted to the environment that the fishes are found, whether it is high or low in oxygen. The size of the labyrinth organ is an indication of the likely origin of the fish. The young do not have the organ initially, acquiring it as they grow. This feature of the  Betta  means that filtered water is not as essential in a  Betta  tank. Filtering is still required to ensure continuing health of the fish and water.

Keep tanks well covered as these fish can jump! Always allow good air space between the tank lid and water level allowing the fish to surface and breathe.

The  Bettas  like soft water and many plants. The temperatures ordinarily kept at 24 degrees Centigrade. Optimum temperatures for breeding should be about 27 degrees C.

A successful breeding requires a pair of fish matched or in other terms are familiar with each other. This is achieved through a glass wall/glass container within the aquarium itself. Over a few days until the female shows signs of being ready to breed usually showing horizontal stripes and a belly swollen with eggs.

The  Bettas  are interesting to watch through the  breeding  cycle, as they are bubble nest builders. The male blows bubbles covered with a form of mucus to the surface of the water, or under something that is floating on the surface. Mating is fascinating! The fish twist and turn in the water to a point where the female is actually upside down. After the eggs are expelled, the male fertilizes and catches them and pushes the eggs to the nest.

The female helps in catching the eggs and send them to the bubble nest. This is repeated until all the eggs are in the nest.

Once the mating ritual is over, the female becomes irrelevant even to the extent of being attacked. Removal of the female is essential, leaving the male to raise the fry.

Fry hatch from their bubble nest within 24 to 36 hours of fertilization. They are swimming freely within three or four days. Feed the fry infusoria initially then moving on to brine shrimps or daphnia. They grow quickly, but do need well oxygenated water especially at the bottom of the tank after hatching This keeps damaging bacteria at bay and ensures healthy fry. Once the fry are free swimming, the male should be removed from the tank as they are partial to fresh food! After four to six weeks the fry will be big enough to move to larger tanks.