Betta fish, also known as Siamese fighting fish are a great first pet for kids, as well as for people who don’t have enough time or money for larger pets. Bettas are inexpensive, hardy, and easy to care for. Betta fish are a great alternative to goldfish because they need less space. They are happy in a fishbowl or aquarium and require less maintenance because they produce less waste and don’t contaminate the water as much. There are very few materials necessary for purchasing a new betta fish: an aquarium or bowl, water conditioner, a net, and some gravel. The fish will also be more comfortable with a few accessories, such as a plant and a place to hide.
Betta fish are a fun new pet because they come in a variety of different colors and types. When choosing a betta fish, look for one that shows vigor and has its fins intact. A healthy betta fish will show interest during feeding times, and they should be fed on a regular schedule so that they become used to expecting food. Betta fish can be fed on a variety of foods, from dried prepared foods to frozen brine shrimp. Some betta fish have even become trained to leap out of their water during feeding times. They should only be fed once a day, and be careful not to overfeed. Fish will continue acting hungry until they overeat, which can kill them, and excess food can also pollute the water.
Betta fish are notoriously hardy, and many have survived through ordeals that would kill most fish. This is not an excuse to keep the fish in an extremely environment, as they are displayed in most pet stores. Some of the containers sold specifically for bettas are better than others. While it may be entertaining to keep two betta fish in a small container separated by a divider (a common setup), because the fish will constantly want to fight, the fish will actually be happier in its own spacious container. With enough room, betta fish will swim around vigorously, flaring their gills and showing off their fin display in order to attract mates.
While betta fish are often kept in extremely small containers in a pet store, they will be happier with more room to roam. However, they might feel intimidated by very large aquariums. Betta fish do not enjoy company and will not tolerate other fish trespassing within their territory. A common rumor is that betta fish can be sold along with water plants and they will feed among the roots. However, betta fish need protein and feeding off of vegetation will not be sufficient for their survival. While most tropical fish can only require a filter and heater, betta fish can become accustomed to very small environments and do not need any more than a small bowl to live in. The water should be changed every couple weeks, or at most a month.
Most of the betta fish sold at a pet store are the more brilliantly colored males. An unhealthy fish will not swim around much and will not show interest in food. The condition of its fins may also deteriorate. Do not buy a fish that looks less than healthy, even if all of the fish in the store that day appear sluggish and ill. Consult a pet store specialist if your fish begins showing these signs–many fish diseases can be easily treated. Signs of a healthy betta fish are the same signals that a male will give off when he is ready to mate. A healthy male will construct bubble nests and move rocks to ensure that his territory is the perfect place to attract mates. Unlike most animals, male betta fish raise the young. After mating, the seemingly aggressive male will for a time gently clean the eggs and arrange them in his bubble nest., while the female has no part in protecting raising young. However, the young fries must be removed shortly after hatching before the male becomes territorial and tries to eat them.
Although it is a betta’s natural tendency to fight, they should never be put together for entertainment, and two male bettas should never be allowed to live together in an aquarium. Unlike in the wild, there is no room for the losing fish to go and high, and therefore, usually putting two bettas in a tank will result in the death of one or both fish. Even mating the fish is a very risky venture, and hobbyists watch their prized specimens very carefully during the whole process. Betta fish are some of the most rewarding pets to keep for very little work. Many owners will testify that their fish display unique personalities, unlike a common goldfish. A betta can be made to flare its gills and show off in a mating display by simply holding a small mirror up to its tank. Some bettas will even flare their gills at a finger held near the tank wall. Watching this display is part of what makes owning a betta fish so enjoyable.
