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Fiter Fish : Siamese Betta fish

About Betta Fish:

The Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens), also known as the betta (particularly in the US), is a popular species of freshwater aquarium fish. The name of the genus is derived from ikan bettah, taken from a local dialect of Malay. The wild ancestors of this fish are native to the rice paddies of Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia and Vietnam and are called pla-kad (lit. biting fish) in Thai or trey krem in Khmer.
(Source Wikipedia)


History :

The Siamese Fighting Fish is native to the South-East Asian region of Thailand (formerly Siam), Cambodia and Vietnam. It survives in the wild anywhere where still water lies, such as rice paddies, stagnant ponds and road-side drains.

The species attracted its name because of the aggressive nature of the males towards each other. Because the fish are common to very small bodies of water, even water-filled buffalo hoofprints, males must fiercely protect their territory, or lose their breeding ground to a stronger male.

Siamese Fighting Fish have been bred for over 1,000 years in Thailand, both as ornamental types and those bred for fighting. Although strictly illegal in Australia, Thai's will often place wagers on fights between two males. Winners are those which bet on the fish that continues attacking after the other has given up. Sometimes these fights can be to the death.

The ornamental type, that which we see in pet shops, is much more colourful and splendid in appearance than the fighting type. It is the colourful hues and flowing fins which led to the species being called Betta splendens, the 'splendid betta'.

This species of fish also possess a special characteristic which sets it apart from most others. Known as a labyrinthine fish, this animal is able to not only breath through its gills but also through a supplemental breathing structure - the 'labyrinth'. This structure is located in a chamber above the gills and is well supplied with blood vessels which absorb air gulped-in through the mouth. This enables the fish to survive in oxygen-poor, or even stagnant water. This is a major evolutionary leap for a fish species. In fact, the species is on its way to becoming a lung fish.

Tankmates:

Males cannot be kept with together, unless there are separators in the tank. Multiple females can generally be kept together without problems, and a single male can also be added to the mix. They can be kept with other peaceful species of fish, as long as they are small and are not fin-nipping types, such as Tiger Barbs. Male Bettas should not be kept with other fish that have similar body types and long fins, as they could mistake them for rivals.

Feeding:


A carnivorous fish. Can be fed commercial fish food, special 'Betta Pellets' or frozen tubifex worms. Fresh bloodworms and mosquito wrigglers also make a suitable treat. As water temperature drops, metabolism slows and feeding is required less often. During the warmer months, feed a small amount daily.



Tank Specifications: 


These fish can live in the smallest of tanks, and are often kept in decorative glass jars, small containers, or betta barracks. They can be kept in a mixed tank with other breeds, however there are some types of companion fish to avoid - long finned, red coloured fish will be harassed and tiger barbs, serpae, tetras and other fin nippers are likely to be drawn to the long flowing fins of the Siamese Fighting Fish.

Breeding:


 Easily bred in a home aquarium. The males are bubblenest builders. They blow a large series of accumulated bubbles onto the surface of the water, into which they deposit the eggs released by the female. Once the female releases the eggs into the water, the male will collect them in his mouth, deposit them into the nest and fertilize them.

These fish are bubblenest builders because water conditions in the wild are normally close to stagnant. As the fry will not have yet developed a labyrinth system or effective gills, it is best maintained close to the water's surface where it is able to absorb oxygen directly through body tissue.
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