Betta care guide
Betta (Betta splendens) — minimum tank 20 L, temperature 24-30 °C, pH 6-7.5. Aggressive top-water species.
Overview
The Siamese Fighting Fish (Betta splendens) is a labyrinth fish native to Southeast Asia, widely kept for its long fins and intense colour patterns produced through generations of selective breeding. Males are strongly territorial toward conspecifics and must not be housed together.
Taxonomy
- Family: Osphronemidae
- Genus: Betta
- Scientific name: Betta splendens
- Common synonyms: Siamese Fighting Fish
Habitat
Wild populations occur in shallow, slow-moving or stagnant waters of Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar and Malaysia, including marshes, floodplains and rice paddies. The labyrinth organ allows the species to breathe atmospheric air and tolerate the low dissolved-oxygen conditions typical of such habitats.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 20 L (5.3 US gal)
- Adult size: 5-7 cm
- Temperature: 24-30 °C (75-86 °F)
- pH: 6-7.5
- GH: 3-12 °dGH
- Water flow: none
- Lifespan: 2-5 years
Diet
A carnivore that naturally feeds on zooplankton, small crustaceans, insect larvae (especially mosquito) and surface-fallen insects. In aquaria offer a quality betta pellet supplemented with frozen or live bloodworms, daphnia and brine shrimp. Avoid overfeeding — the stomach is approximately the size of the eye.
Compatibility
Aggressive toward conspecifics and toward other long-finned or brightly coloured species (Guppy, Tiger Barb). A single male may be housed alone or in a peaceful community with calm bottom-dwellers such as Corydoras and Kuhli Loach, Nerite Snails and Otocinclus. Males must never be kept together.
Breeding
Males build bubble nests at the water surface and entice females beneath them; during each embrace approximately 10-40 eggs are released and caught in the nest. The male guards the nest and free-swimming fry alone; remove the female promptly after spawning to prevent injury.