Fish Profiles at Pet Resources -- Siamese Fighting Fish

Species Profiles -> Anabantoids -> Siamese Fighting Fish

Siamese Fighting Fish (Betta Splendens)

Synonyms:	Betta, Also sometimes called Chinese, or Japanese Fighting fish.	(Click to enlarge) Wild Color Round Tail Male Betta splendens has been bred commercially to gain many different colors and fin patterns (Click to enlarge) Male (Red) Female (Blue) Images courtesy of Mia Woodman (Click to enlarge) Female Betta Image provided by Emspixie
Stats:	Adult Size: 2 3/8" (6 cm) Temp: 77-82 F (25-28 C) Tank: 20" (50 cm) minimum
Requirements:	Bettas love floating plants and dim lighting. They also need access to open air above water, as they are atmospheric air breathers. Periodically they take gulps from the surface.
Diet:	Carnivore. New fish can be picky eaters so try frozen bloodworms. They love worms and small insects. Carnivore prepared pellet food is also good.
Breeding:	Bubblenest builder. Beware, males will kill females if they are not ready to breed. Male makes a nest in shallow ( ~6") water, and guards nest after female lays eggs. Raise fry on very small live foods, and keep tank well-covered
Sociability:	Can be temperamental and aggressive to conspecifics. Many can tolerate fish that are not from their family, small schooling fish are possibilities. Avoid all fin-nipping tank mates with the long finned versions of Betta splendens.
Related Spec:	(Betta bellica) Striped Fighter (Betta brederi) Breder's Betta (Betta coccina) Wine Red Betta (Betta imbellis) Peaceful Betta (Betta picta) Java Fighter (Betta pugnax) Penang Mouthbrooding Fighter
Special Info:	The labyrinth organ allows bettas to survive in very low oxygen. It has also led to Bettas being very overused in vases and cups, under the pretext that they will enjoy living in that way. More Info on Bettas in Cups and other mis-conceptions