IIPTF PET FESTIVAL PUNE Vol 12 Issue No 10 October 2019 | Page 28

Aqua
THE BASICS OF
BETTA FISH KEEPING
By Rajiv Sharma*
T
he appearance of Betta
splendens or Siamese fi ghting
fi sh attracts most fi sh keepers.
These colourful fi shes come from the
slow moving waters of rice paddies,
stagnant pools and streams of South
East Asian countries like Thailand,
Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia.
Their body is streamlined and
covered with scales. The scales are
coated with a layer of mucus. This
mucus layer protects the fi sh from
infections. The scales of Bettas
are almost colourless. The vivid
colouration of Betta fi sh comes from
pigment cells present in their skin.
In nature, they are not found as
colourful as the ones available in pet
shops. Their red, blue, white, black,
yellow and other striking colours are
a result of selective breeding. Due to
its vibrant colours and long fi ns, the
Betta is one of the most popular pet
fi sh.
Bettas can survive in low oxygenated
water and a wide range of different
environments. They have a unique
labyrinth organ that allows them to
breathe directly from air. They are
capable of breathing in air, so most
pet shops keep them in small pots or
bowls where they can hardly swim.
This is unethical and cruelty towards
freshwater animals.
A Betta Male
bowls can hurt them. They need consistent water parameters and temperature.
The acceptable water temperature is 22° Celsius to 26° Celsius. The pH should
be between 6-8. Sudden changes in water parameters are very harmful for
their health.
Bettas like shallow tanks in comparison with deep tanks. So, a 20 litre tank is
enough for a single male Betta with two females. They are terrestrial, so never
keep two males in the same tank. They can also be kept in community tanks
with small and peaceful fi shes. Avoid keeping them with barbs, mollies and
guppies which have a tendency of nipping the fi ns of other fi shes.
In nature, Bettas feed on small insects, mosquitoes, fl ies and larvae. But in
aquariums, they can accept fl ake foods. Occasionally, provide them some live
foods rich in protein. Blood worms and mosquito larvae can be good choices
for live food. They also need fi bre in their diet. In nature, they get fi bre from
exoskeletons of insects and vegetation but in aquariums fi bre-rich foods
need to be supplied externally. Always try to provide them with healthy food,
otherwise they will end up dead within a few days.
Ideal Conditions for Keeping Bettas
Keeping Bettas in small pots and
28
There is a myth that Bettas survive best in small pots and tanks. This is
completely incorrect. In nature, their natural territory is around 3 square feet
Creature Companion | October 2019 • Vol. XII • Issue 10 • Noida