[Wisdom16]

Common Name: Betta, Siamese Fighting Fish

Scientific Name: Betta slendens

Family: Belontiidae

Native Habitats: Thailand and other parts of Asia.

Size: 2.5 inches, female smaller than male.

Minimum Tank Size: One gallon at least. Those cups they're put in at the LFS will not work.

Feeding: Small invertibrae like bloodworms and mosquitos. Pellets are often accepted too. Newborn livebearer fry is also readily eaten.

Temperature: Room temperature seems to be fine as long as it doesn't get too cold or hot. Ideal would be 77-82 degrees fareheit.

pH: 6.5-7.5, but it isn't picky.

Temperament: Aggressive towards own kind, even females. Also aggressive to small fish and fish with long, bright finnage.

Breeding: Information found here.....

Notes: Bettas are air-breathing fish, so they'll be able to live in an enviroment that is not well oxygenated. In the wild, bettas do not have the long finnage like the most common available ones you find at you LFS. They are drab colors in the wild. Bettas have been selective bred for many decades to achieve the bright colors and long finnage they have now. Never put two males together because they will fight. Not all fights end fatally because usually one will give up before severe damage occurs. Fights to the death do happen though. Death usually happens afterwards, either to both or just one betta, because of infections to the fins. I am strongly against fighting bettas because that is not what they were selectivly bred for. I'm sure no one would want to fight two wild ones (I've seen them cost around $50 not including shipping to the US.) Seems like a waste of money to me.