The Betta, Betta splendens, formerly known as Siamese Fighting Fish,  forms part of the family of the Osphronemidae and has an organ called the Labyrinth which allow it to breathe air directly.  The wild betta originates from Thailand and some regions of South East Asia and are found in swamps and rice paddies. Wild bettas do not have all those striking colours that are now present in the betta, they are plain in colour(mainly blue, green and red) and have short fins. The beautiful long-finned bettas that we see now has been created through selective breeding aiming to create a wide variety of finnage type and coloration.

Lifetime

Bettas can live at least 3 years if they are well cared for. Keeping them in small bowls drastically lowers your fish’s lifespan.

Size

The males can reach a size of 6cm while the females are slightly smaller, about 5cm in length.

Aquarium Conditions

Don’t house your betta fish in bowls (that’s cruel) and feed them sparingly. Housing is further discussed in the Betta’s Special Needs article.  Bettas are not fussy eaters as they accept all suitable fish food. Temperature should be between 23°C and 28°C. The water’s pH and hardness are not essential if they are not fluctuating but avoid the extremes, a pH range of 6 to 8 is acceptable. Remember not to overfeed and make regular water changes. Bettas need stimulation too, to stay active. Your betta will be healthier and live longer. Bettas are territorial fish and are aggressive towards members of its own kind. Don’t add two male bettas together.

Breeding and Fry Care

This is discussed in more detail inside this article: Breeding Bettas. You will learn the secret behind successful betta breeding.

Choosing your Betta

There are few guides on how to buy your betta fish. Fish stores often keep their bettas in small bowls or plastic cups without proper care. These neglected fish are not always in good health and may die soon after you buy it. Sometimes you’ll see a blue or yellow colored water in the betta bowl. That’s medication. The fish you are buying might be already ill. Sometimes, they just add it systematically to all the bettas. A badly maintained betta will have lots of poop in its bowl.

When choosing your betta, you should inspect the fish. Your fish should be active, not lying at the bottom of the bowl. Active fish will also have a little bubble nest in their bowl. That’s a good fish to buy.

More: Breeding Bettas | Betta Fry Care | Betta Special Needs