Betta: The Chinese Fighting Fish

Small of Size, Great of Color

And they can survive in unlikely tanks, bowls and bottles. Not that this is recommended of course, but they can! It seems to be some urban legend that just because they CAN survive in such a small container, that they should or that they prefer it. They probably would prefer more room than a water bottle or brandy snifter glass for their environs.

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Betta fish are relatively small, varied fishes commonly sold in pet stores. They are usually kept separately in small tanks in these stores, tanks that would suffocate other fish due to the low oxygen levels in this confined enclosure. But Bettas are “anabantoids”; -they can breathe atmospheric air. They have a unique organ evolved for that purpose, called a “labyrinth.” Bettas sometimes come to the surface of the water and splash, they are gulping some air, no doubt.

Like a Genie in a Bottle

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This ability to breathe atmospheric air means that they can be kept in smaller tanks, tanks with diminutive or concave openings at the top, and tanks or jars with ornamental plant arrangements (see above image.) In the wild, Bettas would be found in places like rice paddies, drainage ditches, slow moving streams and large water puddles. These confined places would spell death for other fishes due to the lack of oxygen. Betta fish are quite hardy, they can withstand a bit more stress than other fish, which makes them ideal starter fish for the novice fish fancier.

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Bettas are not big eaters like some fish. They can be fed once daily or even skip a day. Common Flake food for fish is okay, as are freeze-dried bloodworms and frozen brine shrimp. Typically though, one would not introduce frozen or any other variety of brine shrimp into an aquarium that does not have a circulating pump with a filtration system, as uneaten brine shrimp go rancid quickly and pollute the water. You (and the fish) would not enjoy the odor, no doubt.

There are pelletized protein and plant matter-based foods for betta fish, for greater convenience.

What’s In a Name?

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The name “Betta” is actually pronounced more like “bet-uh” and not like the Greek letter “beta.” These fish get their name “ikan bettah” from a language in Thailand and has nothing to do with the Greek alphabet yet we all mispronounce the name. "Plakad Cheen" is the Thai term for the long-finned "Betta Splendens," literally means "Chinese Fighting Fish." I really don't think that they care either way.

Betta Fish Make Bubble Nests?

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In the wild, the male betta makes a ‘bubble nest’ to attract a female. That is what those freaky little bubbles are that you always see in the top of a betta tank. A suitably impressed female will then lay her eggs, the male will fertilize them on the spot and place these eggs in the bubble nest. And then, aggressively turn upon the female and either drive her away, or kill her. Yeah, -the male betta is like a black widow spider except HE’S the villain!

And the male betta is even known to eat a few of the eggs and/or offspring as they begin to hatch. Some nice papa, huh?

Fighting Fish?

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Popular belief has it that you cannot keep betta fish with other fish. Yes, you can, -just not other betas. In the presence of other fish, -fish that will not prey upon your betta, they will do fine. Your betta will display more often, showing splendorous colors and puffing-out his fins and gills. It is the males that do this aggressive display, and are the showier of the two genders. The females tend to be rather drab and bland in coloration.

Male bettas in the same aquarium will fight and possibly damage one another, so they must be kept segregated. There are special tanks with a ‘divider’ screen that serves this purpose. You can house two male bettas in the same tank without them being able to attack one another. You will get many shows of aggression and bravado as these two male bettas face-off in mock battle!

An Easy to Care For Pet

Easy to care for and far more exciting than I expected, our betta is a wonderful pet. We bought one several months ago for our now four-year old son and it is a morning ritual that after our son eats his breakfast, he feeds his betta. The betta comes to the surface to gorge upon the fish flakes, often disturbing the water with gentle flips and waves. This hearty fish should be very popular for people whom don’t wish to have an elaborate or expensive aquarium set-up. Our betta brings a splash of color to our windowsill, joy to our son and this fish is, well, a lot fun!

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