What exactally is a Betta?
Most people call Bettas Siamese Fighting Fish. Bettas are from Thialand and surrounding areas, they were popularized in Siam, this is where the word 'Siamese' in thier name comes from. They are called Siamese Fighting Fish because of their overly aggressive nature. Two male Bettas will flare at each other until one backs down, if one doesn't back off, they will fight until the death. Females are slightly less agressive, but some will still fight and need to be seperated from others. Bettas are Labrynth fish, this means that they breath air from the surface of the water, this means the water surface cannot be blocked by excessive floating plants, or plant roots. Bettas are very personal fish and will come to recognise and greet you by swimming up to the front of thier tank and flaring or 'wagging' their bodies. Often a betta will try to hide from people and things until they get used to seeing them.
Where do I get my Betta and how do I pick a healthy one?
You can opt for one of two main ways to get a betta. The most common being a Local Pet Store. Most bettas in LPS *local pet stores* are culls from breeders, that is to say they are bettas that, for what ever reason, the breeder saw as unfit to breed or show. For this reason, pet store bettas arent the best way to start breeding. Another problem with LPS bettas is that they are often about a year old, bettas lifespans are only about 2-3 years, so a LPS betta is often half way through his life. LPS bettas are good resourses for PET bettas but sometimes you will find a real steal at a petstore! Now, the other way to get bettas is to buy them from a breeder. This is the preferred method. A breeder can tell you things about the fish that LPS workers simply cannot. Also, a breeder can give you fish that are more suitable for breeding, and they can help you pick the best fish to start your line, or to have as a pet. Breeder bettas cost anywhere from 2-100*or more* dollars, and thats american! Us canadians call it from 2-150*or more* dollars! lol. Now, chosing a healthy betta. The colour should be bright *note - lps bettas will be duller then breeder bettas in the store, they brighten up with proper care*, the betta you look at should not be clamping his fins and pouting, or covered in any 'slime' or white 'fuzzy' specks. These are signs of different fungus infections. Your betta should have bright eyes, a straight back and some amout of activness. Happy hunting.
What do I house my betta in, can I keep him in a vase?
Yes, you can keep your betta in a wide mouthed vase IF you take out the plant, do frequent water changes and feed him/her daily. So you're better off not waisting your money on the Vase combo, just get your bettas a small tank, or med-large fish bowl. Only fill fish bowls to thier widest spot, not to the brim. Please do not keep your betta in Cups, although they can live like this, they will be miserable and more prone to sickness. I dont even like betta Hexes, I feel they are too small, but that is a matter of perfonal preference. To sum this up, Use a good amont of water for your males, do not use betta vase combos, and make sure there is adiquite surface area. Onto water changes and feeding!
How often do I feed my Betta and how often should I clean his bowl.
Bettas should be fed 1 - 3 times per day in small portions. Flake food is not for bettas, bettas are carnivors, I feed freeze dried blood worms and other freeze dried foods. Bettas should have their half gallon bowls changed completly every 2-3 days. I age my water but you can use a few drops of Dechlorinator and a pinch of aquarium salt. The salt helps keep fungus and algea growth down. I scrub my bettas houses once every two weeks with bleech and I rinse it down until I cannot smell it anymore. Find what works for you. NOTE - make sure the temperature is the same in the new water as it was in the old so that the betta does not get overly stressed.
What if my betta gets sick?
Treat it. Go to your LPS and ask them for a water treatment that works for the symptoms of your fish. If you dont like chemicals, do daily half water changes with salt as salt is a medication. Again, keep the temperature constant.
GOOD WRITE OUT !! :thumbsup:
cheers,
:clap: :thumbsup: KEke Nice InFO...
Nice cut and paste. Credit shld go to the owner, of whom i forgotten liao...haah..pls forgive us.... :)
Hi All,
What Makes a Fish a Labyrinth Fish?If you wanna read a little bit more, above an article contributed by a fellow betta hobbyist.
Cheers!
Xavier