Betta splendens usually grow to an overall length of about 6 cm (~ 2.3 in), though some varieties reach 8 cm (3.5 in) in length. Although bettas are known for their brilliant colors and large, flowing fins, the natural coloration of B. splendens is a dull green and brown, and the fins of wild specimens are relatively short. However, brilliantly colored and longer finned varieties, such as veiltail, delta, superdelta, and halfmoon have been developed through selective breeding.
The betta is a member of the Gourami family (family Osphronemidae) of order Perciformes, but was formerly classified among the Anabantidae. Although there are nearly 50 other types of bettas, B. splendens is the most popular species among aquarium hobbyists, particularly in the United States.
Lifespan Normally, bettas live 2-5 years depending on how they are cared for. Male bettas living alone in large individual tanks and daily exercise have lived 6 years or longer in laboratories. Typically, males purchased from a pet store are over four months old, at a point when their finnage becomes fullest and most attractive. Due to their shorter finnage, females available in pet stores are often only 3-6 months old.
Breathing Like anabantids and all members of the genus Betta, Siamese fighting fish have a labyrinth organ in their heads that allows them to take oxygen directly from the atmosphere in addition to the oxygen taken from water via their gills.
Diet/Exercise Bettas are top-feeders, but roam all depths of their shallow habitat.Bettas have upturned mouths and are primarily carnivorous surface feeders. In the wild, bettas feed on zooplankton and the larvae of mosquitoes and other insects.
Bettas which feed upon a wide range of foods often live longer, show richer colours, and heal more quickly from fin damage. Betta pellets are typically a combination of mashed shrimp meal, fish meal, brine shrimp, bloodworms, and various vitamins. Bettas also will eat live or frozen bloodworms or brine shrimp or daphnia. For variety and fibre, some hobbyists feed bettas finely chopped vegetables high in protein, such as soybeans, green beans, broccoli, corn, or carrots. Although some bettas subsist on dried flaked food suitable for tropical fish, these fish typically reduce in colouring.
Reproduction and nests Females have an ovipositor, a small, white 'pearl' at the anus, most visible from below the fish. After mating, females lay egg clutches of approximately 100-500 eggs, rarely over 600 eggs. The male tends the eggs and newborns. Betta males build bubble nests of various sizes and thicknesses near the surface of the water. However, after the young fish are swimming freely, the male no longer tends to the young.
Due to their social patterns, bettas are difficult to breed. Most breeders prepare baby food and minnow-ready (cycled) tanks, prior to actual breeding in order to prepare for abandonment by the male parent and to improve the fish's actions such as speed, growth, and energy.
Males sometimes create bubble nests even in the absence of female and young. This may result from quick temperature changes, barometric changes, changes to materials in a tank, or the presence of other males or females.
Tail shapes A metallic, double-tail male BettaBreeders have developed several different tail shapes:
Veiltail (non-symmetrical tail, only two rays) Crowntail (highly frilled, extended spiny rays) Combtail (less extended version of the crown tail) Half-moon (large tail fin that forms a 180-degree, or larger, half circle) Short-finned fighting style (sometimes called "plakat") Double-tail (the tail fin is split into two lobes and the dorsal fin is significantly elongated) Delta tail (tail span is less than half-moon with sharp edges) Fantail (a rounded delta tail)
Colours This pale pink male has red fins and splotches.Bettas have been affectionately nicknamed "The Jewel of the Orient" due to the wide range of colours which are produced through selective breeding.
The betta is a member of the Gourami family (family Osphronemidae) of order Perciformes, but was formerly classified among the Anabantidae. Although there are nearly 50 other types of bettas, B. splendens is the most popular species among aquarium hobbyists, particularly in the United States.
Lifespan Normally, bettas live 2-5 years depending on how they are cared for. Male bettas living alone in large individual tanks and daily exercise have lived 6 years or longer in laboratories. Typically, males purchased from a pet store are over four months old, at a point when their finnage becomes fullest and most attractive. Due to their shorter finnage, females available in pet stores are often only 3-6 months old.
Breathing Like anabantids and all members of the genus Betta, Siamese fighting fish have a labyrinth organ in their heads that allows them to take oxygen directly from the atmosphere in addition to the oxygen taken from water via their gills.
Diet/Exercise Bettas are top-feeders, but roam all depths of their shallow habitat.Bettas have upturned mouths and are primarily carnivorous surface feeders. In the wild, bettas feed on zooplankton and the larvae of mosquitoes and other insects.
Bettas which feed upon a wide range of foods often live longer, show richer colours, and heal more quickly from fin damage. Betta pellets are typically a combination of mashed shrimp meal, fish meal, brine shrimp, bloodworms, and various vitamins. Bettas also will eat live or frozen bloodworms or brine shrimp or daphnia. For variety and fibre, some hobbyists feed bettas finely chopped vegetables high in protein, such as soybeans, green beans, broccoli, corn, or carrots. Although some bettas subsist on dried flaked food suitable for tropical fish, these fish typically reduce in colouring.
Reproduction and nests Females have an ovipositor, a small, white 'pearl' at the anus, most visible from below the fish. After mating, females lay egg clutches of approximately 100-500 eggs, rarely over 600 eggs. The male tends the eggs and newborns. Betta males build bubble nests of various sizes and thicknesses near the surface of the water. However, after the young fish are swimming freely, the male no longer tends to the young.
Due to their social patterns, bettas are difficult to breed. Most breeders prepare baby food and minnow-ready (cycled) tanks, prior to actual breeding in order to prepare for abandonment by the male parent and to improve the fish's actions such as speed, growth, and energy.
Males sometimes create bubble nests even in the absence of female and young. This may result from quick temperature changes, barometric changes, changes to materials in a tank, or the presence of other males or females.
Tail shapes A metallic, double-tail male BettaBreeders have developed several different tail shapes:
Veiltail (non-symmetrical tail, only two rays) Crowntail (highly frilled, extended spiny rays) Combtail (less extended version of the crown tail) Half-moon (large tail fin that forms a 180-degree, or larger, half circle) Short-finned fighting style (sometimes called "plakat") Double-tail (the tail fin is split into two lobes and the dorsal fin is significantly elongated) Delta tail (tail span is less than half-moon with sharp edges) Fantail (a rounded delta tail)
Colours This pale pink male has red fins and splotches.Bettas have been affectionately nicknamed "The Jewel of the Orient" due to the wide range of colours which are produced through selective breeding.
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