Page 107 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

ANABANTOIDS/BETTAS 105

Betta splendens (continued)
In Thailand, it is traditional to house Siamese Upturned jaw Fin color matches
Fighting Fish in small jars, but these provide little that of the body
swimming space and make it difficult to maintain
the water quality. The natural grace and elegance
of the fish will be more apparent in an aquarium.
A single male can be kept in a tank with several
females, or even as part of a community aquarium.
However, avoid mixing these fish with fin-nipping
species, which will attack the flowing fins, or with Ventral fin Relatively
fish of a similar coloration, which may themselves reaches back narrow body
to the caudal
be attacked by the Siamese Fighting Fish.
These fish are easy to care for, but they are not Steel-Blue Betta Blue coloration is common in the Betta. Red Betta Ranked as the most colorful Betta variety,
especially long-lived, with an average life span of This specimen has excellent fins that are unblemished and this fish comes in several different shades, from the very
about two years. Pairs of seven or eight months show no signs of damage. bright shade shown above through to rich crimson.
old are best for breeding. They need a relatively
shallow spawning tank, about 8 in (20 cm) deep. Blue Salmonlike hue
predominates
It must be covered and include floating plants,
among which the male will build a bubble nest.
Thai breeders often add the leaves of the Ketapang
or Indian almond tree (Terminalia catappa) to assist
with the conditioning of the water. These leaves are
available in the West through specialist suppliers.
Raising the water temperature can trigger
spawning, as can increasing the amount of live Reddish
food in the diet. Check that the female is in front to
body
breeding condition, because otherwise the male White
may harass her. Aside from her slightly swollen on fins
belly, one of the surest indicators of the female’s Violet Betta This color form is largely blue with violet Cambodian Betta This white color variant was thought
readiness to spawn is when she develops yellowish undertones. However, the patterning and intensity varies to be a separate species when it first became known in
stripes on her body. She will actively seek out the greatly, allowing individuals to be easily distinguished. the West. It is sometimes referred to as the Plakat.
male at this stage, rather than trying to avoid him.
LOOKING FOR A FIGHT
Crown Betta Selective breeding has
given the Crown Betta rough-edged Siamese Fighting Fish have good color
fins. Like other variants, the Crown vision, which enables them to spot rivals with
Betta uses its fins to display to
rivals and potential mates. relative ease. Even when faced with its own
reflection in a mirror, as here, the male
Uneven edging responds by adopting an aggressive posture.
to the fins Aggression is one of the traits developed in
this species over the centuries, and most
modern strains are far more belligerent than
their wild ancestors. However, actual conflict
is still a last resort, and the fish initially try
to deter one another with ritualized displays,
notably raising the fins and flaring the gill
covers to make themselves look bigger.

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