Colorful world of Betta

Scientifically known as Betta Splendens, Betta is the favorite home aquarium dweller across the globe. The lure of Betta also lies in its vibrant color and active lifestyle. It’s a freshwater fish and originates from Asia though it is now bred all over the world. New fish enthusiasts can also enjoy this fish owning to its low maintenance.

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Betta are graceful fish with upturned mouth. This upturned mouth is ideal for feeding from the surface of the water. Betta is a small fish, with the adult male being 7cms long. The specie, however, ranges between 2.5 cm to 14 cm.

The male has long fins and is very colorful whereas the female is shorter and is less colorful. The color variations available in Betta are amazing. The fish are also a favorite because they can survive in oxygen-depleted waters taking most of their requirement from the surface. This ability makes them anabantoids (fish that can breathe atmospheric air). Bettas have a unique organ, labyrinth, which helps them breathe from the atmosphere and survive in ditches and rice fields.

Female Bettas are not aggressive and can be kept together but the males will fight to death therefore making it necessary to keep only one male in an aquarium. However, a male Betta can be kept with other species or females of his own specie too!

Based on their spawning behavior, Bettas are divided into two groups: bubble nests and mouthbrooders.

Preferences

     1. You can feed frozen bloodworms; flakes and other prepared food to your Betta though they prefer live food.

     2. The water conditions for Betta are: temperature – 80 degrees Fahrenheit, pH- slightly acidic to neutral. Bettas can survive in depleted oxygen conditions but these aren’t ideal conditions. They should not be kept in small bowls neither without heat and filtration.

In ideal conditions, Betta lives for 2-3 years.

Bringing home a Betta?
Betta can provide a wonderful aquatic experience. They are not very expensive fish to buy nevertheless, you should be careful to bring home healthy fish. It is also a good idea to have robust fish in case you decide to breed them. Consider the following criteria when buying Betta for your tank:

1. Source: Unless you want selectively bred and carefully fed Betta you need not look for a private breeder. Any retail outlet offering inexpensive, colorful and hardy fishes will do. Just make sure you don’t buy two males to keep in the same tank!

2. Health: it is easier to pick healthy Betta owing to the natural alertness and open finnage of this fish. Observe the fins closely for external parasites like velvet and Ich. Small tears in fin repair quickly but signs of infestation should be carefully checked for. Don’t buy sulking Betta with clamped fins.

3. Age: Buying the largest looking Betta will be a large mistake too! Bettas live for only about 2-3 years in ideal conditions. Buy young fish that may be small in size but will inhabit your tank for longer duration.

Betta can create a lot of liveliness wherever you place their tank. The colorful world of Betta is a sight for the tired eyes and can rejuvenate most tired souls.