Which of the following creatures do you think actually exists? The Loch Ness Monster. A fish that breathes air. Godzilla.
If you guessed a fish that breathes air give yourself a pat on the back. But if you’re digging around for that picture of the Loch Ness Monster you took two summers ago, read on. Because not only does this fish breathe oxygen, it also builds nests and is the aquatic version of Sugar Ray Leonard. Meet the Betta splendens, or Siamese Fighting Fish.
What’s In A Name
Siamese Fighting Fish, or betta as we’ll refer to them in this article, were first kept by aquarists in Asia approximately 150 years ago. Primarily found in Thailand and Malaysia, the betta makes his home in shallow streams, ponds, and even rice paddies. Dull brown in color, the wild version in no way resembles the betta we see in our local pet shops. With their majestic fins in jewel tones of red, blue and purple, it’s hard to miss them floating about in their tiny cups.
But, put two males, whether wild or captive bred, into the same tank, you’ll get the same result: a battle royal, ending in torn and ripped fins with one fish the victor. For years, bettas have been used as “sporting fish,” with money wagered on the outcome of these battles. Rarely do the two fish fight to the death, but it may take many weeks for the fins to re-grow and the fish to completely heal.
This is why it’s never a good idea to house a male betta with another of the same species. You also want to be careful that there are no other fish in the same tank that look like a betta. A good example is the guppy. Although much smaller than the average betta, with his long flowing fins, the guppy could be easily mistaken for a rival. Also, you’ll want to keep your betta away from those pesky zebra danios that like to take nips out of his tail. He just can’t move fast enough to get away from them.
Your Betta’s Home
Because the betta is used to living in small bodies of water, he’s very low maintenance. These fish can be kept in something as small as a one-quart mason jar but there are many inexpensive betta tanks available today. Most of them are less than half a gallon in size and fit just about anywhere. Keep one on your desk at work, on the kitchen sink, or on top of a bookshelf; as long as there are no extreme fluctuations in temperature, your betta will be happy.
Your betta also prefers little to no water movement. For this reason, filtration should be kept to a minimum. In fact, with a weekly water change you can probably forget about filtration completely. A plastic plant or two for lurking in, some gravel to secure plants, and you’re all set.