Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Historical Facts About Betta Fish
Did you know that bettas have been a fascination for over 150 years now and this fascination originated in Siam...
Bettas in Siam all those years ago where known as Siamese Fighting Fish.
In Siam the siamese people used to fight bettas against each other for gambling purposes... The people of Siam would wager everything they owned including their homes and even their families.
The fighting bettas back then where actually quite dull and boring to look at unlike the colorful beauties that we see today in the fish tanks and aquariums around the world.
In fact, the bettas in siam 150 years ago used to hang out in ditches, puddles, slow moving streams and rice paddies.
Due to the living conditions back then the original wild betta back then had dirty green or brown fins.
As time went on, some of the prized fighting fish where handed on to other people and evolved under different living conditions.
Eventually some where shipped to Germany and the US where they really evolved into the beautiful specimens we see today.
It is really for the last 80 years or so that betta fish have undergone a total transformation that we see today.
Bettas in Siam all those years ago where known as Siamese Fighting Fish.
In Siam the siamese people used to fight bettas against each other for gambling purposes... The people of Siam would wager everything they owned including their homes and even their families.
The fighting bettas back then where actually quite dull and boring to look at unlike the colorful beauties that we see today in the fish tanks and aquariums around the world.
In fact, the bettas in siam 150 years ago used to hang out in ditches, puddles, slow moving streams and rice paddies.
Due to the living conditions back then the original wild betta back then had dirty green or brown fins.
As time went on, some of the prized fighting fish where handed on to other people and evolved under different living conditions.
Eventually some where shipped to Germany and the US where they really evolved into the beautiful specimens we see today.
It is really for the last 80 years or so that betta fish have undergone a total transformation that we see today.
Monday, 25 January 2010
What Size Tank is Right For a Betta Fish?
Just about 8 months back I bought my first Betta Fish.
I did a lot of research as to which size of betta tank i should house my new betta in. I searched through forums and other resources online hopefully to gain the information i needed on buying the correct size of tank for my new fish.
To say the least i was very dissappointed and frustrated when the advice i found about which size of betta tank varied drastically. Some said a bowl, some a vase, some a ten gallon tank.
Anyway, after my frustration I decided that i would write this little article and share my frustrations with other new betta owners about which size of betta tank to get for their new bettas.
Avoid a headache and much frustration prior to getting your betta tank...
The Misconception of the size of Betta Tank
There are so many varied opinions about which size of betta tank to get it's quite incredible.
Many say bettas survive perfectly well in tiny little fish tanks where others say they really need a large tank to thrive and do well in.
But which is right? Who's telling the truth?
Here's a little FACT about natural betta fish surroundings...
"Bettas are anabantoids, which means they can breathe atmospheric air thanks to a unique organ called the labyrinth. This accounts for their ability to thrive in low-oxygen water conditions that would kill most other fish, such as rice paddies, slow-moving streams, drainage ditches, and large puddles."
So What Size Of Betta Tank Do You Get?
To be honest with you, common sense tells you that you should get as big a tank as you can afford and easily manage. How can anyone justify that betta fish should be kept in vase, bowl or tiny little tank. And remember, large puddles, are LARGE puddles.
A large tank to us is still a relatively small space to a betta fish!
I bought my first betta tank from "Marine Depot" due to the fact that it has many reviewed products and i could see what was recommended and what was NOT!
So that is a BIG tip for you prior to buying your betta tanks or any other aquarium supplies for that matter, always buy from a reputable resource with reviews and feedback from customers.
If you go to Marine Depot and check out the prices of the tanks in the Betta Fish Supplies section of there site you will get a good idea of what you can expect to pay for a betta tank.
At the time of writing this article a small 1.25 gallon bettacube would set you back $24.99 where as an 8 Gallon Nano 180 Degree Half Moon Biotope Aquarium would set you back $99.99
Personally i reckon the bigger you can afford and manage the better for the betta.
Another thing you need to consider when buying your new betta tank is appearance...
Do you want a boring old tank? An exciting one with great-to-look at appeal?
A larger tank has much more scope for longevity and happiness for your betta fish. A fish tank can be much more than just a home for your betta fish, it can be a tranquil exotic piece of decor in your home that will wow your friends and relatives.
I have this article has given you a good insight to what you need and want from your new betta fish tank and i wish you good luck in looking after your new friend and companion, your betta fish.
The tank is just one on the things that you need to consider when looking after tropical fish, in this case a betta,check out my betta blog for lots of other great information you should know about when caring for betta fish.
A great resource to further your knowledge about caring for betta fish is the ebook "Betta Care Made Easy" which you check out by clicking here!
I did a lot of research as to which size of betta tank i should house my new betta in. I searched through forums and other resources online hopefully to gain the information i needed on buying the correct size of tank for my new fish.
To say the least i was very dissappointed and frustrated when the advice i found about which size of betta tank varied drastically. Some said a bowl, some a vase, some a ten gallon tank.
Anyway, after my frustration I decided that i would write this little article and share my frustrations with other new betta owners about which size of betta tank to get for their new bettas.
Avoid a headache and much frustration prior to getting your betta tank...
The Misconception of the size of Betta Tank
There are so many varied opinions about which size of betta tank to get it's quite incredible.
Many say bettas survive perfectly well in tiny little fish tanks where others say they really need a large tank to thrive and do well in.
But which is right? Who's telling the truth?
Here's a little FACT about natural betta fish surroundings...
"Bettas are anabantoids, which means they can breathe atmospheric air thanks to a unique organ called the labyrinth. This accounts for their ability to thrive in low-oxygen water conditions that would kill most other fish, such as rice paddies, slow-moving streams, drainage ditches, and large puddles."
So What Size Of Betta Tank Do You Get?
To be honest with you, common sense tells you that you should get as big a tank as you can afford and easily manage. How can anyone justify that betta fish should be kept in vase, bowl or tiny little tank. And remember, large puddles, are LARGE puddles.
A large tank to us is still a relatively small space to a betta fish!
I bought my first betta tank from "Marine Depot" due to the fact that it has many reviewed products and i could see what was recommended and what was NOT!
So that is a BIG tip for you prior to buying your betta tanks or any other aquarium supplies for that matter, always buy from a reputable resource with reviews and feedback from customers.
If you go to Marine Depot and check out the prices of the tanks in the Betta Fish Supplies section of there site you will get a good idea of what you can expect to pay for a betta tank.
At the time of writing this article a small 1.25 gallon bettacube would set you back $24.99 where as an 8 Gallon Nano 180 Degree Half Moon Biotope Aquarium would set you back $99.99
Personally i reckon the bigger you can afford and manage the better for the betta.
Another thing you need to consider when buying your new betta tank is appearance...
Do you want a boring old tank? An exciting one with great-to-look at appeal?
A larger tank has much more scope for longevity and happiness for your betta fish. A fish tank can be much more than just a home for your betta fish, it can be a tranquil exotic piece of decor in your home that will wow your friends and relatives.
I have this article has given you a good insight to what you need and want from your new betta fish tank and i wish you good luck in looking after your new friend and companion, your betta fish.
The tank is just one on the things that you need to consider when looking after tropical fish, in this case a betta,check out my betta blog for lots of other great information you should know about when caring for betta fish.
A great resource to further your knowledge about caring for betta fish is the ebook "Betta Care Made Easy" which you check out by clicking here!
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
Betta Fry Captured On Video
Was going through some of my favorite Betta sites and found this great video displaying Betta Fry someone had kindly submitted...
Don't these little bettas look beautiful?...
Leave your comments below betta lovers...
Don't these little bettas look beautiful?...
Leave your comments below betta lovers...
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
The Essentials Of Proper Betta Fish Care
Betta Fish, also known as Betta Splendens, Beta Fish and Siamese Fighting Fish, are inexpensive pets and can be quite lovely.
Technically, the Betta name refers to about fifty species, but is commonly used as if only Betta splendens is meant.
The biggest are normally only around three inches long.
Even though there are many stories of the fish surviving in very small containers, experts do recommend a three-gallon tank for best results and there is some controversy about how small a tank is really still acceptable.
Betta Fish are native to low oxygen waters, and don't normally need any aeration. They are tropical fish, and are best kept warm, however.
Some owners do claim that their Bettas act happier with an air filtration system even if the fish don't need it to survive. Bettas normally live two to three years, but in well cared for conditions, some have lived as long as ten.
Betta Fish are native to Thailand and Cambodia. The common name comes from the name of Siam, which is now Thailand, and the territorial battles the males conduct.
Like many members of the animal kingdom, the males are the gaudier looking, to better attract females.
The females tend to appear rather dull, and almost all Betta Fish sold are males for that reason. In the wild, they are dull greens and browns, but breeders have produced far more stunning color schemes.
Some believe that Bettas cannot be kept with other fish. This is not true. Multiple male Bettas is a precondition for battle.
Bettas with other fish around will still display and flare their fins, but won't see this as a mortal insult. They should not be kept in a tank with fish that are aggressive or that nip fins, and only one male should be present.
Female Bettas can usually play well with others, and there are cages to be used to separate male Bettas if they are kept in the same tank. These should prevent the fish from seeing each other.
Betta Fish can handle a surprising range of water conditions, but the water should be changed once a week or so, more often if the fish is kept in a small container.
They can be fed once a day, or twice if you desire, and aren't especially fussy about their food. There is specially formulated Betta food on the market.
In the wild, Bettas eat live food, insects and their larvae, and like it in fish tanks, but they will eat flakes and frozen food as well. Do not overfeed as this will require cleaning the tank more often.
When changing the water, remember to let the water sit for a day before using it in the tank with the fish to allow the chlorine to evaporate.
Good choices for Betta food are brine shrimp, Daphnia, plankton, tubifex, glassworms, and beef heart, and may be used frozen or freeze dried. Flakes should be supplemented with other foods from the list.
Many note the odd bubble structures that male Betta Fish build in the water tank. This is perfectly normal. The male is building a nest in which to place eggs, once he successfully impresses a female.
Bettas prefer a pH between 6.8 and 7.4 and a hardness less than 20 dGH. The temperature should be between 75 and 86 degrees, or twenty-four to thirty for those who prefer Celsius.
In the wild, they live in rice paddies, ponds and slow moving streams, and are most comfortable near the surface.
One of the main arguments about the minimum size for the fish tank is heat. Below 75 degrees, the fish are increasingly listless and it is much easier to keep a larger tank at a stable temperature.
Bettas also require access to the surface, and will drown without it. There is a special organ, the labyrinth organ, allowing and requiring them to take oxygen from the air.
Because they live in still waters, power filters and power heads are not suitable.
Betta Fish are known for their lovely colors and fins, with a wide range of colors available. Blue to red with white are normal, and more spectacular colors like yellow and orange exist.
Metal poisoning easily kills betta fish, and exposed metal should not be used in decorations within the tank.
Decorations are important as they allow the fish places to hide, and a layer of gravel helps to provide surface area to grow nitrifying bacteria.
Decorations must be smooth and lack sharp points that can tear fins. Silk is preferred to plastic for artificial plants for this reason.
By: Sarah Munn
Technically, the Betta name refers to about fifty species, but is commonly used as if only Betta splendens is meant.
The biggest are normally only around three inches long.
Even though there are many stories of the fish surviving in very small containers, experts do recommend a three-gallon tank for best results and there is some controversy about how small a tank is really still acceptable.
Betta Fish are native to low oxygen waters, and don't normally need any aeration. They are tropical fish, and are best kept warm, however.
Some owners do claim that their Bettas act happier with an air filtration system even if the fish don't need it to survive. Bettas normally live two to three years, but in well cared for conditions, some have lived as long as ten.
Betta Fish are native to Thailand and Cambodia. The common name comes from the name of Siam, which is now Thailand, and the territorial battles the males conduct.
Like many members of the animal kingdom, the males are the gaudier looking, to better attract females.
The females tend to appear rather dull, and almost all Betta Fish sold are males for that reason. In the wild, they are dull greens and browns, but breeders have produced far more stunning color schemes.
Some believe that Bettas cannot be kept with other fish. This is not true. Multiple male Bettas is a precondition for battle.
Bettas with other fish around will still display and flare their fins, but won't see this as a mortal insult. They should not be kept in a tank with fish that are aggressive or that nip fins, and only one male should be present.
Female Bettas can usually play well with others, and there are cages to be used to separate male Bettas if they are kept in the same tank. These should prevent the fish from seeing each other.
Betta Fish can handle a surprising range of water conditions, but the water should be changed once a week or so, more often if the fish is kept in a small container.
They can be fed once a day, or twice if you desire, and aren't especially fussy about their food. There is specially formulated Betta food on the market.
In the wild, Bettas eat live food, insects and their larvae, and like it in fish tanks, but they will eat flakes and frozen food as well. Do not overfeed as this will require cleaning the tank more often.
When changing the water, remember to let the water sit for a day before using it in the tank with the fish to allow the chlorine to evaporate.
Good choices for Betta food are brine shrimp, Daphnia, plankton, tubifex, glassworms, and beef heart, and may be used frozen or freeze dried. Flakes should be supplemented with other foods from the list.
Many note the odd bubble structures that male Betta Fish build in the water tank. This is perfectly normal. The male is building a nest in which to place eggs, once he successfully impresses a female.
Bettas prefer a pH between 6.8 and 7.4 and a hardness less than 20 dGH. The temperature should be between 75 and 86 degrees, or twenty-four to thirty for those who prefer Celsius.
In the wild, they live in rice paddies, ponds and slow moving streams, and are most comfortable near the surface.
One of the main arguments about the minimum size for the fish tank is heat. Below 75 degrees, the fish are increasingly listless and it is much easier to keep a larger tank at a stable temperature.
Bettas also require access to the surface, and will drown without it. There is a special organ, the labyrinth organ, allowing and requiring them to take oxygen from the air.
Because they live in still waters, power filters and power heads are not suitable.
Betta Fish are known for their lovely colors and fins, with a wide range of colors available. Blue to red with white are normal, and more spectacular colors like yellow and orange exist.
Metal poisoning easily kills betta fish, and exposed metal should not be used in decorations within the tank.
Decorations are important as they allow the fish places to hide, and a layer of gravel helps to provide surface area to grow nitrifying bacteria.
Decorations must be smooth and lack sharp points that can tear fins. Silk is preferred to plastic for artificial plants for this reason.
By: Sarah Munn
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