Betta Fishes, often called Siamese Fighting Fishes, are captivating freshwater gems known for their brilliant colors and elegant, flowing fins. They are great finny companions when provided with proper care, including a spacious, warm, and well-maintained tank. Their diverse appearances and engaging personalities have made them a favorite in many households.
4 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE BETTA FISH
- They are scientifically known as Betta splendens.
- They are freshwater Fishes belonging to the Gourami family (Osphronemidae).
- They are native to Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
- In the wild, they inhabit shallow, slow-moving waters like rice paddies, canals, and floodplains.
WHY ARE THEY FAMOUS?
Bettas are famous for their vibrant colors and elaborate fins, especially the males.
They now come in a stunning array of colors, such as red, blue, green, yellow, black, white, and many combinations. Great fins and tails have also been developed, including Veiltail, Halfmoon, Crowntail, Plakat, Doubletail, and more.
Females are typically less colorful and have shorter fins compared to males.
LENGTH AND LIFE
With proper care, their average lifespan is 3 to 5 years. Betta Fishes usually grow to be about 2.5 inches long, not including their tail.
AGGRESSIVE AND TERRITORIAL
Male Bettas are highly territorial and will fight each other, often to the death. They should always be kept separately, unless the tank is very large and heavily planted with visual barriers.
Males can also be aggressive toward other brightly colored or long-finned Fishes whom they might perceive as rivals.
HABITAT RECOMMENDATIONS
While they can temporarily survive in small spaces due to their labyrinth organ, a five-gallon tank minimum is recommended for a single Betta to thrive.
Larger tanks make it easier to maintain stable water parameters. Bowls are not suitable long-term housing.
Most would use one-gallon tanks or even smaller per Betta, which is not recommended.
WATER PARAMETERS
They prefer warm water temperatures between 76-81°F (24-27°C) and a pH between 6.5 and 7.5.
FILTRATION
Some often forgo filters in favor of frequent water changes, as strong currents can stress these Bettas. However, sponge filters or low-flow hang-on-back filters are beneficial, particularly in setups like female Betta sororities.
DECORATIONS
Bettas appreciate a well-decorated tank with hiding places like caves, plants (live or soft silk), and driftwood. These help them feel secure and reduce stress.
Avoid decorations with sharp edges that can tear their fins.
COVER LID
Bettas are known to jump, so a secure lid is crucial to prevent escapes. Plastic screens or acrylic lids with small drilled holes are recommended. I advise against glass covers as they restrict air circulation at the water’s surface.
BETTA BUDDIES
It’s possible to keep some tank mates with Betta Fishes, but it requires careful consideration, primarily your Betta’s individual temperament and the size of your aquarium.
Male Bettas are notoriously territorial and aggressive towards each other and sometimes towards other Fishes who resemble them or have long, flowing fins. Below are some compatible tank mates.
SNAILS
Nerite Snails, Mystery Snails, Ramshorn Snails
SHRIMP
Ghost Shrimp
Inexpensive and generally peaceful algae eaters. They are mostly transparent, which might make them less threatening to Bettas.
Amano Shrimp
Larger than Ghost Shrimp and excellent algae eaters. They are less likely to be seen as food by Bettas.
CORYDORAS CATFISH
Peaceful bottom dwellers who are unlikely to bother Bettas
SMALL, PEACEFUL FISHES
- Harlequin Rasboras
- Ember Tetras
- Neon Tetras
Small and fast-moving schooling Fishes. Some Bettas might be aggressive towards them, so monitor closely. A larger school in a well-planted tank is best.
Avoid decorations with sharp edges that can tear their fins.
PROTEIN-RICH FOOD
Bettas are carnivores and require a diet high in protein. High-quality Betta pellets should be the staple of their diet.
They can also be given occasional treats like frozen or live Bloodworms, Brine Shrimp, or Daphnia.
Avoid overfeeding, as this can lead to health problems. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and ensure all food is consumed within a few minutes.
COMMON HEALTH ISSUES
- Fin rot
- Ich (white spot disease)
- Swim bladder disorder
- Dropsy
- Popeye
HOW TO CATEGORIZE BETTA FISHES
Betta Fishes are incredibly diverse, and they are often categorized by their tail type, color, and pattern.
TAIL TYPES
The shape and size of the caudal (tail) fin vary greatly.
VEILTAIL
This is perhaps the most common type seen in stores. The tail is long and flows downward like a veil, typically with unsymmetrical rays.
HALFMOON
A highly prized type with a tail that flares to a full 180 degrees, forming a perfect “D” shape. The edges are straight.
OVER-HALFMOON
Similar to the Halfmoon, but the tail flares to more than 180 degrees.
DELTA TAIL
The tail has a triangular shape with straight edges, flaring out from the body to less than 180 degrees.
SUPER DELTA TAIL
A wider version of the Delta tail, with a caudal fin spread between 70 and 120 degrees.
DOUBLE TAIL
As the name suggests, these Bettas have two distinct tail lobes that split from the base. They often have a wider dorsal fin as well.
CROWNTAIL
This distinctive tail type has fin rays that extend far beyond the webbing, giving it a spiky, crown-like appearance.
HALF SUN/ COMBTAIL
Often a cross between a Veiltail and a Crowntail, it has a less extended, comb-like appearance compared to the Crowntail, sometimes reaching a 180-degree spread.
PLAKAT
These Bettas have short fins, resembling the wild-type Betta. They are often more active and were originally bred for fighting. The tail can be round or spade-shaped.
ROUND TAIL/FAN TAIL
The tail has a round and full appearance with soft edges.
SPADE TAIL
The tail has a wide base that narrows to a distinct point, resembling a spade.
ELEPHANT EAR/DUMBO
Characterized by their large pectoral fins that resemble elephant ears.
ROSETAIL/FEATHERTAIL
A type of Halfmoon with excessive branching and overlapping of the fin rays, giving the tail a ruffled, rose-like appearance.
COLOR TYPES
Bettas come in an almost limitless array of colors and combinations. Some common solid colors include the following.
- Red
- Blue (Royal, Steel, Sky)
- Green (Emerald, Lime)
- Yellow
- Orange
- Black (Melano, Black Lace)
- White (Opaque, Platinum)
- Purple
- Pink
They can also have metallic sheens (Copper, Gold) and iridescent scales.
PATTERN TYPES
Beyond solid colors, Bettas can exhibit various patterns.
BI-COLOR: The body is one distinct color, and the fins are another.
MARBLE: Characterized by irregular blotches of different colors across the body and fins.
DRAGON: A rich base color with thick, metallic-looking scales that create a “dragon scale” effect.
KOI: Resembling the patterns of Koi Fish, with random patches of red, white, black, and orange. This is often seen in Plakat types.
CAMBODIAN: Pale or colorless body with solid-colored fins (typically red).
MULTICOLOR: Having three or more colors that don’t fit into other pattern categories.
FULL MASK: The color extends fully over the Betta’s head.
NEMO: Very sought after pattern that mimics the colors of Clownfish, with combinations of orange, red, yellow, and black.
GALAXY: A shimmering mix of colors, often resembling a starry night sky.
CANDY: A mix of bright colors like red, blue, and yellow.
INTERESTING FACT
Bettas have a unique organ called the labyrinth organ, which allows them to breathe air directly from the water’s surface.
This is an adaptation to their natural habitat, which can be low in dissolved oxygen. However, this doesn’t mean they don’t need well-oxygenated water.
BETTA SORORITIES
A sorority is a group of female Betta Fishes housed together.
Unlike solitary male Bettas, female Bettas can coexist in a carefully managed environment with ample space and hiding places, offering the benefit of a visually dynamic and active community tank compared to a single Betta.
It can also be a rewarding experience for experienced keepers to observe their social interactions and the development of a hierarchy.
Having kept Bettas for years, I find it challenging to keep pace with the constant emergence of new breeds.
Despite this evolution, the simple yet elegant nature of caring for Bettas makes it ideal for both beginners and advanced enthusiasts.
