Male Betta

Other Common Names Siamese Fighting Fish

Scientific Name Betta splendens

Family General

Community Gourami

Class Gourami

Temperature 78 ºF

Swimming Range Top

Adult Length 3-3 1/4 inches

Feeding Habits Prefers small live foods such as brine shrimp, blood worms, glass worms and tubifex worms. Frozen brine shrimp, plankton, beef heart, glass worms and blood worms. Freeze dried food will be accepted on occasion.

Compatibility A single male may be kept in a community aquarium either by itself or with a couple of females. Keeping more than one male per aquarium is not recommended as they will fight and attempt to kill each other. Keep with similar sized fish as they will eat the smaller fish in the aquarium.

Habitat Thailand-Cambodia: Moderately decorate with live plants, rocks and driftwood. Breeding The male has the long flowing fins and the female has very short round fins. The male will create a bubble nest at the top of the aquarium, and the eggs will develop in there until they hatch in about 24 hours.

Additional Comments Their bright colors are from breeding in captivity. They also have the ability to breathe air from the surface through their labyrinth, which acts like lungs.