What are bettas?
Betta/ Fighting fish (Scientific name: Betta splendens) a member of the gourami family, is a tropical fish originated from Thailand that grows to about 5cm in length, it has colorful fins with different variations. These fishes survive even without an oxygen pump because aside from gills, they have a lung-like structure in their internals called "Labyrinth" so they tend to gulp a cup of air from the surface just like breathing. Thai people used to call them "Pla kat" which means biting or tearing fish notable by the male's aggressive behavior whenever they encounter other male bettas, mainly because they are "territorial" In nature. So obviously, you cannot place two males in the same tank. Because of their nature, people sometimes abuse them for entertainment or even gambling purposes, Derbies are organized by some enthusiasts in Thailand where they place two male bettas in a small container and allow them to fight until one backs out or can no longer continue to fight. But sometimes those poor little fish dies because of severe injuries taken from its opponent.
Betta/ Fighting fish (Scientific name: Betta splendens) a member of the gourami family, is a tropical fish originated from Thailand that grows to about 5cm in length, it has colorful fins with different variations. These fishes survive even without an oxygen pump because aside from gills, they have a lung-like structure in their internals called "Labyrinth" so they tend to gulp a cup of air from the surface just like breathing. Thai people used to call them "Pla kat" which means biting or tearing fish notable by the male's aggressive behavior whenever they encounter other male bettas, mainly because they are "territorial" In nature. So obviously, you cannot place two males in the same tank. Because of their nature, people sometimes abuse them for entertainment or even gambling purposes, Derbies are organized by some enthusiasts in Thailand where they place two male bettas in a small container and allow them to fight until one backs out or can no longer continue to fight. But sometimes those poor little fish dies because of severe injuries taken from its opponent.
Diet
These are sorted as dry and live. Dry foods are pellets, flakes, and dried bloodworms. I even feed my bettas grinded "Humpy Head" a food for flower horns but these make my bettas really fat and healthy.
These are sorted as dry and live. Dry foods are pellets, flakes, and dried bloodworms. I even feed my bettas grinded "Humpy Head" a food for flower horns but these make my bettas really fat and healthy.
Live foods can be cultured. When they are fry or hatchlings, they eat Infusoria, baby brine shrimps, and microworms. When they grow-up, feed them blood worms or even mosquito larvae.
Also, they comes in different varieties sorted by their fins and colors:
Finnage or fin variations
• Veil tail (Common) Fins are exaggeratedly extended and are non- symmetrical
• Crowntail: Its tail and fins are well extend like spikes compared to the rays of a crown
• Half-moon: Symmetrical caudal tail that shapes like a half-moon, very beautiful
• Plakat: Short-finned, large bodied betas used for fighting
• Double-tail: Some genetic variations cause its tail to split into two
• Half-moon Plakat (HMPK): A cross breedbetween a halfmoon and a plakat, these are my favorites
• Delta-tail: it has less spread of tail like half moon but with sharp edges
• Rose- tail: Thick caudal tail that resembles the petal of a rose.
• Veil tail (Common) Fins are exaggeratedly extended and are non- symmetrical
• Crowntail: Its tail and fins are well extend like spikes compared to the rays of a crown
• Half-moon: Symmetrical caudal tail that shapes like a half-moon, very beautiful
• Plakat: Short-finned, large bodied betas used for fighting
• Double-tail: Some genetic variations cause its tail to split into two
• Half-moon Plakat (HMPK): A cross breedbetween a halfmoon and a plakat, these are my favorites
• Delta-tail: it has less spread of tail like half moon but with sharp edges
• Rose- tail: Thick caudal tail that resembles the petal of a rose.
Color and scale variations
• Platinum: Shiny-scale that are usually silver in color
• Copper: Shiny copper-like scales
• Solid scaled: It is either pure-blue, pure-red, with no other colors present
-Milk white: pure-white betas that are not shiny
-Black-melano: These are rare betas with very dark pigmentations.
• Platinum: Shiny-scale that are usually silver in color
• Copper: Shiny copper-like scales
• Solid scaled: It is either pure-blue, pure-red, with no other colors present
-Milk white: pure-white betas that are not shiny
-Black-melano: These are rare betas with very dark pigmentations.
Fish care and Maintenance
Very easy! Just place them in separate small tanks for males, and for the female you can put them altogether. Cleaning the tanks can be done once a week. Feed them once a day and make sure you alternate dry and live foods for their appetite. You don't need an oxygen tank because as I have said earlier that it has a lung-like structure that aids them in respiration.
Very easy! Just place them in separate small tanks for males, and for the female you can put them altogether. Cleaning the tanks can be done once a week. Feed them once a day and make sure you alternate dry and live foods for their appetite. You don't need an oxygen tank because as I have said earlier that it has a lung-like structure that aids them in respiration.
Why I love these fishes? Because for a career person like me (I know most of us nowadays are), taking care of pets can eat up a large chunk of time, attention, and money. It is also a responsibility just like having a baby. Let's say for example- a pet dog, I used to own one before but it ends up giving him to my cousin because I had a hard time for its maintenance. I hope you enjoy reading about bettas and yes! They are very cute little fishes, especially when you see the male and female mate. On my next topic I will discuss how to breed bettas and will share some expert techniques that I use, from conditioning the couples to growing up those numerous fry.
Melrick Paul M. Gogorza
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Melrick_Paul_Gogorza
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