Sunday, July 8, 2007

Siamese Fighting Fish (Betta Splendens)

Family: Fighting fish, Osphoronemidae

Characteristic: 2.4 in (6 cm), male more colorful and longer-finned.

Tank and water: 12 Gal (45 Lt), pH 5.5-9.5, 76-83 F (24-28 C)

Care: Keep in pairs in densely planted tank furnished with floating plants. Males, especially cultivated forms, very aggresive toward each other. Keeping males singly in glasses, as was once custom, is animal cruelty!

Habits: Surface fish found in weed-filled waters in Thailand, where probably eats chiefty insects larvae.

Compatibility: With small barbs and bottom fish.

Personal note: This fish should be peaceful along other community fish, like guppies and platies.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi, I was just reading your comment about having fighting fish in pairs. Do you mean 2 males together? I have kept fighting fish previously and have always kept them separate thinking that they fight till the death if put together.
I'm intriged!!!
Terri

Unknown said...

You can have to males without a famale in the tank, or a male and a famale. They are not territorial and very pacific. They dont deserve been in a cup. They looks very beautiful swiming free in a big tank.

Good luck, and thanks for your comment.

Anonymous said...

Hi Armando,
I keep goldfish in a 130litre tank. I have 11 fish that vary in size from around 5cm through to 20cm. Do you think the fighting fish would have a problem interacting with these fish? I have always thought that they didn't like lots of moving water and movement in general.
Thanks so much for you advice,
Terri