Betta Splendens, or Siamese fighting fish as they are also known because of their aggressive natures, are one of the most popular species of freshwater aquarium fish. Betta aquariums are usually small and as small aquariums are becoming more and more popular the demand for betta fish is growing.
Betta aquarium fish are basically descendents of wild betta fish, which are native to the rice paddies of Thailand and Cambodia, and live in poor oxygen environments. Because of this they are capable of living in smaller tanks than most other aquarium fish species.
It is also often said that betta fish can live in tanks without equipment such as filters, skimmers and heaters, but this is not necessarily the case. It is important to know how to care for betta fish as much as any other species of fish.
Bettas do not necessarily prefer small spaces and they certainly need as much volume of water as other tropical fish of similar size. A tank of 1.5 - 2 gallons is really the smallest tank suitable for an individual fish.
The optimum temperature for water for bettas is 25˚ (77˚ Fahrenheit) - 28˚ (82˚ Fahrenheit) so table-top aquariums should be kept in warm locations. Betta aquariums are not suitable for environments that are air-conditioned to cooler temperatures.
If you have a larger tank with filtration strong enough to create a current, it is essential to ensure the betta have plenty of tank space without a strong current, as this can cause damage to their fins and make it difficult for them to get to the surface.
Betta fish are generally very hardy but unfortunately this means that they are able to tolerate poor water conditions, and this can result in them being left to live in these conditions. There is a big difference between surviving and thriving so it is vitally important to provide your bettas with a decent habitat, with regular water changes, just like you would for any other species.
Male bettas are very aggressive towards each other and as they will fight to the death in an aquarium it is important not to keep two males in an aquarium together. In the wild they do not fight to the death, as when one fish has won the other retreats to safety somewhere. In an aquarium there is no retreat.
Females are not quite as aggressive towards each other but it is a good idea to provide some hiding places in a tank if you are keeping female bettas together.
In the wild female Bettas steer clear of males, except when mating, so if they are together in aquariums males might kill females. They should therefore be kept separately unless they are young siblings or they are breeding.
Bettas are quite curious fish and they enjoy having plants, natural or artificial, in an aquarium that almost reach the surface of the water so they can rest on the plants and raise their heads slightly for a gulp of air. When the plant leaves reach the surface, they are also useful for males to base their bubble-nests on.
Due to the aggressive nature of betta fish, you must select carefully the other fish you wish to keep with them. Some species you can keep with bettas include platies (moons), Corydoras catfish, and loaches. Female bettas can share a tank with danios and tetras, but is not a good idea to keep males with these species as they tend to nip their long fins.
Shrimp are another species that are good to keep with betas, as long as they are provided with enough natural plant cover, because they keep the tank clean without stressing out the bettas.
Betta aquariums can be easy to keep successfully if you spend some time researching carefully which species can live happily with your bettas, and take the time to maintain your aquarium properly.