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Labyrinth Fish
/ Belontiidae / Siamese Fighting Fish
Siamese Fighting Fish
Betta splendens | Pictures
Physical description: The Siamese Fighting Fish is an elongated, laterally compressed fish with an upturned
mouth.
The fins may be long and flowing, or cropped.
Color varies, as do the fins.
Size/Length: To 2.8" (7 cm)
Similar species: Other Betta
species
Habitat: Southeast Asia; inhabits shallow, marshy regions in Thailand, Malaysia
S: top
Aquarium: A tank of 8" (25 cm) with a capacity of with a capacity of
1/2
gallons (1.9 L) is adequate.
Do not keep this fish in bowls smaller than
1/2
gallons (1.9 L).
Cover the top as this species tends to jump.
Water chemistry: pH 6-8 (7.0), 2-25°dH, 73-86°F (23-30°C)
Social behavior: Males are well-known for their highly pugnacious behavior towards one another.
If
males are combined, fighting, and possibly death will occur.
Males may also be belligerent towards females
at spawning times, so it is recommended to keep several females with one male.
In a community tank, Siamese Fighting
Fish are easily picked on by fin-nipping and aggressive species.
Suggested companions: Colisa
species, Corydoras,
Trichopsis, small schooling fish,
Pangio, Loricarids
FOOD: Flakes; live;
Tubifex, insect larvae, Brine Shrimp
Sexual differences: Males are more colorful and have more elaborate fins.
Breeding techniques: Use a shallow spawning tank with no water current, plants, and retreats for females.
The
male constructs a bubble nest
at the water's surface.
After each pairing, the male pushes and spits the eggs up to the bubble
nest.
In all, 400-500 eggs are laid.
Remove the female after spawning.
The male cares for the eggs and should
be removed after 24-36 hours, when the eggs hatch.
The fry look like little hairs at the water's surface.
Start
feeding with micro foods and egg yolk.
Later the fry can be fed with powdered dry foods.
Breeding potential: 6.
Breeding is fairly easy is a well-maintained species tank lacking water current.
Remarks: Literally hundreds of color and fin variations are available.
In parts of Southeast Asia, male fish
are bet upon in fights with other males
Difficulty of care: 2.
A hardy, well-known species that is best kept singly in a species tank.
Recent articles about fish
Overfishing may hurt Amazon forest trees
(2/5/2008) Overfishing is reducing the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish in the Brazilian Pantanal, reports Nature. The research suggests that fishing practices can affect forest health.
Scientists find fish that literally lives in trees
(10/17/2007) Scientists have found a fish that literally lives in trees, according to research published in The American Naturalist and highlighted in New Scientist Magazine.
Piranhas originated when Amazon was flooded by seawater
(12/4/2007) South America's piranha family of fish -- notorious as eaters of flesh -- can be traced back to a single ancestor which dispersed when the Amazon was flooded by seawater some five million years ago, report researchers from the Institut de Recherche Pour le Developpement (IRD). Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Parana in Argentina.
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