4 minute read
SB Pets
BETTA FISH:
Betta Fish (or Siamese fighting fish) are a popular freshwater fish with a wide range of brilliant colors, including red, blue, orange, yellow, green, purple, brown, and black. They may be solid, bicolored, multicolored, marbled, piebald, or variegated. Moreover, betta fish are easily recognizable by their beautifully colored, eye-catching tails that gracefully flow through the water. Bettas are great for small aquariums because they can breathe air or take in oxygen through their gills, making them great fish for a less active tank. Their vivid coloring has made them one of the most popular aquarium fish. Betta fish are originally native to the Mekong River throughout Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia. The very aggressive males will often fight each other to death. Even females can be aggressive, but less so than males. In a community aquarium, bettas will attack other brightly colored fish while leaving less colorful species alone. Adult bettas grow to be 2 to 3 inches long, not including the length of their fancy flowing tails. Male bettas have more intricate fins than females and are bred to produce fins in various shapes, while wild bettas generally have smaller fins with duller shades of gray, brown, and green. Bettas typically live for about two to five years, but they can live longer than that with proper care. Male bettas are usually sold in pet
etta Fish (or Siamese fighting fish) are a popular stores after they reach one year old—this allows for full color freshwater fish with a wide range of brilliant colors, and fin development. Female bettas are generally six months including red, blue, orange, yellow, green, purple, old when they’re sold. brown, and black. They may be solid, bicolored, mul ta fish are easily recognizable by their beautifully colored, them great fish for a less active tank. Their vivid coloring has be aggressive, but less so than males. In a community aquar length of their fancy flowing tails. Male bettas have more live for about two to five years, but they can live longer than stores after they reach one year old—this allows for full color and fin development. Female bettas are generally six months old when they’re sold.
BY HAILEY LAWSON
TIPS FOR A HAPPY BETTA
˛ Tank Size: A comfortable 4 to 5-gallon tank or larger is perfect for bettas. This allows plenty of room for the fish to swim comfortably and for plants. ˛ Water Quality: Bettas do best in Water Quality: water ranging from a neutral 7.0 pH to slightly acidic. Their water should be kept between 74-82 degrees. ˛ Companions: Male bettas should always be kept alone; however, females can be kept in small groups in larger tanks with plenty of room. ˛ Tank Care: The tank will need regular cleaning and water changing to keep the betta healthy. Smaller water changing to keep the betta healthy. Smaller tanks may need cleaning several times a week, especially if there is no filter. ˛ Plants and Accessories: Bettas do great with denser plants in their tank. It helps them feel safe and minimizes their aggressive behavior. A small ceramic log is a perfect hide-out for a betta, but avoid any type of tank accessories with mirrored or reflective surfaces. ˛ Proper Food: Bettas are carnivores and require a diet high in animal protein. Pellet or flake forms of dried bloodworms and brine shrimp are perfect for betta fish, but never feed more than the fish eats in 2-3 minutes.
Bettas are beautiful fish to own. Like any pet, bettas can Bettas are beautiful fish to own. Like any pet, bettas can quickly become a part of your family, and many will even quickly become a part of your family, and many will even interact with you and be playful. Enjoying your pet betta interact with you and be playful. Enjoying your pet betta starts with proper care. Understanding their unique behavior and needs will help you provide the best possible habitat for your betta to thrive.
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