Betta Fish Care

The Siamese Fighting Fish is also more commonly known as "Beta Fish", and is an extremely popular, amazingly beautiful and a relatively inexpensive pet.

Keeping a "Beta fish" is a a relatively simplr and easy household pet to maintain. However, to keep a healthy and happy beta fish you must do specific things to ensure its survival and to keep it safe, comfortable, happy and healthy. Here's a few things you need to think about before you get yourself a pet betta fish.

First of all, did you know that the betta fish's official and recorded name is... "Betta Splendens"? In the wild and it's original and natural environment the "Beta Fish" is somewhat drab looking and does not ten to display the more vivid and brighter colurs that we see today in most in pet stores. In addition, the Betta Fish usually have much shorter fins than they do in captivity.

Incredible breathing method

Betta Fish mainly live and survive in the hot, oftentimes very humid rice paddies of central Asia. Beta Fish are among a small group of fish that have developed a ingenious way to breathe oxygen straight from the air by using a lung-like incredible "labyrinth" like organ which allows them to survive in the smallest amount of water even when there is a bad drought which dramactically effects most rice paddies where they normally live. By using this very unique way of breathing betta fish can live and survive in murky and muddy small water holes until the tropical the rains return.

It's not really nice to keep beta fish in smaller glass or plastic containers. Why? Because although betta fish can survive harsh living conditions in their natural environment, their survival ability in the wild was developed more as a means of survival not one that they chose. It's a much nicer thing to do for betta fish care is to keep your pet Beta fish in a container or tank that holds approximately two and a half gallons of water.

It isn't really necessary for you to keep your pet Beta fish in a large tank which hold ten gallons or more, but it is more humane and will guarantee a much better survival rate for the betta fish. A much larger bett fish tank will ensure better bett fish care, along with providing a fun way of displaying your much prized pet Beta. Also, adding the right plants will give your tank a nicer look and make your pet bett much more happier in its new environment.

Betta fish and cold water

Keep in mind that Betta Fish originally came from a warmer climate and Betta's do not enjoy being housed or contained in a cold water climate. Generally, a Beta will consider a home room environment much too cold. So, you should invest in a relatively cheap aquarium thermometer from your local pet shop. This way you will ensure better betta fish care and will end-up with a much happier and healty betta. An inexpensive stick-on type thermometer will do nicely. You may also wish to consider placing a special heater in your Betta tank and/or in your Betta Fish bowl. Perhaps even sourcing a warm area of your home to place your betta fish tank or bowl.

Sitepoint: Most betta fish will lie lifeless and appear in a frozen state or even in a huddle near the bottom of the tank when the water temperature is too cold. Betta fish mostly enjoy water temperature around the 70 degree mark.

Interestingly, betta fish are commonly referred to as "Samurai Fighting Fish" mainly due to the fact that male Betta fish will almost always attack each other and even fight to the death in some cases. For betta fish care you should never put two males in the same tank or bowl. It's also not a good idea to place a female Beta fish either in with your male Betta fish. In many caes the male betta fish will even attack the female Beta too or continually annoy her.

Another very important thing to remember is betta fish shouldn't be placed in community tropical tanks. Why not? Because almost always other fish will nip at a Betta's long beautiful fins and even injure the betta itself. If you want to add a companion fish along with your Beta see our betta fish with other fish article to find out which species will coexist with your pet betta fish peacefully before you go ahead and place the other fish in the tank or bowl.

Why you should never overfeed your betta fish

You should never overfeed your pet betta. It really only requires about three to four tiny grains of fish food every day. It's probably best if you feed your betta fish 1 grain of fish food at a time, and at least two to three times a day. The stomach of a betta fish is about the size of their tiny eyeball. Giving your pet betta fish too much food will only make its stomach swell and cause it bloating pains, fish constipationand even a more serious swim bladder problem which oftentimes can even end-up killing the betta. You should only feed your Betta fish small portions of food especially if you're not sure as to the size and quantity of fish food you should feed it.

In conclusion, betta fish are extremely beautiful, vibrant and very interesting fish to watch and own. You will soon discover that betta fish are intelligent and oftentimes will quickly learn who their owner and caregiver is. Betta fish tend to get really excited when you approach the tank and bowl as they know you are the one that feeds and looks after them. If you really strive for betta fish care then your pet betta will reward you with years of fun and pleasure.