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General Info: Betta fish, also known as Siamese Fighting Fish, grow to around three inches long
and can live for up to three years. Their scientific name is Betta splendens and they originally came from
Eastern China, Thailand and Malaysia. They can live in less oxygenated water than many other fish
because of a body part called a labyrinth. This is a chamber inside the fish that allows them to breathe
small amounts of air and use the oxygen from it. This is why you may see a betta gulping air from the
top of his tank.
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Ideal Environment: You often see betta fish sold in very small cups in pet stores. While
betta fish can live in these small cups, as long as they have frequent water changes, it is better to keep
them in a small tank so they have space to move around. When you first release them into a tank it is fun
to watch them explore it, as they get used to the new space. They make an ideal pet for desk top, small
apartment or college dorm.
Bettas usually do well in a water temperature range of 65-80° F, and are at their best in a range of 70-75°
F. If the water is cool and your betta is not eating enthusiastically, you should move its tank to a warmer
spot or increase the temperature in the aquarium. However, you should avoid placing your betta fish in
direct sunlight as this promotes too much temperature fluctuation. You should not use tap water for your
betta tank but should use water that has been treated to remove the chlorine. I use Betta Plus water
conditioner.
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Companions: Male betta fish cannot share a tank with other male bettas. They will fight to the
death if placed into a tank together. It is also not recommended that you keep a female betta in with a male
unless you are trying to breed them, as the male fish can be very aggressive and cause too much stress for
the female. Some fish owners say that you can introduce your betta into a larger aquarium with other types of
fish, but I have found that the betta is too aggressive towards the other fish I’ve had.
Feeding: I feed our betta fish with Bio-Blend specially-formulated betta fish food. Floating food and
freeze-dried blood worms are common betta foods and are available in most places that pet fish are sold. Bettas
are not an active fish, so they don't require as much oxygen or as much food as more energetic fish. It is
recommended that you feed your betta once a day, but be careful not to overfeed as that can cloud the water.
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