Siamese Fighting Fish - Betta Splendens

 

The betta, sometimes referred to as the Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens), is a freshwater fish that is indigenous to Southeast Asia, including Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Due to their widespread appeal as pets and their comparatively low maintenance requirements, Betta splendens are among the most widely kept aquarium fish in the world. There are 73 species in the genus Betta, but only one is given the name "betta."

The longest of any fish, Siamese fighting fish are unique to the central plains of Thailand, where they were domesticated for the first time at least 1,000 years ago. They were originally bred for ferocity and used in cockfight-style gambling contests. Theodore Cantor, a Danish doctor, biologist, and botanist, is reported to have received several Bettas from King Rama III (1788–1851), who is credited with introducing them to the rest of the world. When they initially arrived in the West in the late 19th century, ornamental fish quickly gained popularity. The term "designer fish of the aquatic world" has been used for them because of their extensive history of selective breeding, which has resulted in a vast variation of colouring and finnage.

Siamese Fighting Fish

Male betta fish are notoriously aggressive and very territorial, and if they are kept in the same tank without a method of escape, they may fight each other and kill one or both fish. In small areas, female bettas might develop territorial behaviour against one another. Due to their unique labyrinth organ, which is a feature specific to the suborder Anabantoidei and allows for the entry of surface air, bettas are highly tolerant to low oxygen levels and poor water quality.

The Siamese fighting fish is not only well-known across the globe, but it is also Thailand's national aquatic animal. Thailand continues to be the principal producer and supplier of betta fish for the international aquarium industry. The IUCN has classed B. splendens as "vulnerable" because of rising pollution and habitat degradation, despite the fact that they are often used as pets.

Image by endri yana yana from Pixabay Image by Seno Aji from Pixabay

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Ideal water temperature to keep betta fish : maximum temperature for betta fish

Another factor for how long a betta fish will live is the water temperature in the aquarium.
86 degrees Fahrenheit is the absolute maximum, temperature that your betta tank can be at is 30 degrees Celsius or 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

Any higher than that and you are more or less cooking your fish, cooking it slowly, but cooking it none the less. You will notice weird behavior in your betta fish if the water is too warm


Be sure to keep the water at between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, which will boost your betta's immune system and help prevent disease.



Choose and research a good aquarium heater and get a reliable tank thermometer to keep track of the temperature. A 25 watt heater will do the trick!

if you do choose to keep your betta in a small tank it is probably best not to use a heater at all. A tank heater in a small tank can lead to the water temperature rising very rapidly, which is not good for the fighting fish – it can be almost like cooking them.

If you do choose to keep your betta in a small tank, try and locate it in a warm place in your home.

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