Siamese Fighting Fish (Betta splendens)
| Siamese Fighting Fish Betta splendens | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Siamese Fighting Fish |
| Name Lat. | Betta splendens |
| Family | Gouramies |
| Family lat. | Osphronemidae |
| Order | Labyrinth Fishes |
| Order lat. | Anabantiformes |
| Origin | Southeast Asia |
| Habitat | Streams, ponds |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| pH | 6.0-8.0 |
| Behavior | ♂ territorial |
| Keeping | Harem |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Reproduction | Bubble nest builder |
| Breeding | Simple |
| Life Span | 2-3 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 7 cm |
| Temperature | 24-30 °C |
| Hardness | 5-15 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 50 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 2.8" |
| Temperature | 75-86 °F |
| Hardness | 89-267 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 10 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the Siamese fighting fish is Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. There they live in small, shallow and weedy, low-oxygen streams, ponds and pools as well as in rice fields.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have dense planting with many hiding places (stones, roots). A dark substrate with peat and foliage (sea almond leaves) and subdued light (floating plant cover) is ideal. They only need a shallow water depth, 25 cm is sufficient.
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
Diet
In nature they feed on insect larvae, small crustaceans as well as approach food (mosquitoes etc.). The food supply consists of live, frozen and dry food. For a balanced diet, feed at least once a day with a high-quality dry food (flakes, granules, pellets) as well as cyclops, daphnia or mosquito larvae (live or frozen). Aphids, fruit flies and fruit flies are also readily eaten.
Only feed as much as will be eaten within a few minutes. A regular and varied diet promotes health and increases resistance.
Behaviour and compatibility
They should be kept in a harem, one male with several females. Males have a pronounced territorial behavior among themselves, fight each other intensively and should therefore not be kept together. For a community tank with not too small fish and many hiding places they are well suited but other fish of similar shape and coloration are usually perceived as enemies.
Basically, only mutually compatible fish species with similar demands on water condition and water temperature should be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
The males are much more colorful and have extended fins.
Reproduction and breeding
They belong to the foam nest building fighting fish. The foam nest is built by the male, which also takes care of the brood. The eggs ejected during the numerous matings (entwinements) rise to the water surface, are collected by the male and introduced into the nest. The larvae hatch after 24-48 hours and swim freely after 2-6 days.
The fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (dust food, Artemia nauplii). In a community tank breeding is hardly possible, because the spawn is easy prey.
Important
There are numerous breeding variants in different colors such as red, blue, green, turquoise, pink, white, black and color mixtures as well as with different fin shapes.
They have an additional respiratory organ called the labyrinth (suprabranchial organ) with which they breathe atmospheric air and can suffocate if this is not possible. The air temperature in the breathing area must not be below the water temperature!
The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate value at least every 14 days. A regular partial water change is recommended, even if the pollutant load has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: petdata; Image: Franz Lowak
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2006): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 1, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF