IIPTF PET FESTIVAL PUNE Vol 12 Issue No 10 October 2019 | Page 29

I
n nature, male Bettas create a bubble
nest with the help of air and their
saliva. They attract the females by
showing off their long fi ns and big size.
When an egg bearing female fi sh comes
near the nest, the male attracts her and
wraps himself around her. The female
fi sh lays eggs in the nest and runs away.
The male guards and fertilises the eggs
till the tiny fry take birth. They are also
known to protect their fry and provide
them with food. In tanks, when the male
makes the bubble nest, female Bettas
carrying eggs should be released. Just
after laying eggs, the female should be
removed from the tank.
Bettas are one of the most colourful
results of selective breeding. They can
live upto 3-4 years in ideal conditions.
Their long fi ns and vibrant colours are
the gift of nature for fi sh keepers.
Precautions with Betta splendens
• Never offer them too much food.
Sometimes they die due to eating too
much. If the fi shes start swimming
strangely, don’t feed them for 1-2 days.
in area. Their natural aquatic habitat is full of vegetation with slow moving
water. During the dry season, water evaporates and remains in the form of
small pools and mud. They can survive in small water pools and wet mud
for a few days. They are also good jumpers and utilise this ability during the
dry season to jump from drying pools to bigger puddles and water bodies.
One square feet shallow tank can be used to keep a male Betta with a few
females. There should be proper arrangement of fi ltration and heater.
Vegetation in the tank provides them the feeling of being in their natural
habitat. Keeping them in tiny pots and bowls is akin to their natural
survival in small pools where they survive but cannot thrive.
Bettas are also known as fi ghting fi sh due to their tendency to fi ght with
other males. If two males are present in the same tank, fi ghts will continue
till the death of one.
• Keep them with smooth substrate.
Sharp substrate and decorative
materials can lead to cuts and scars.
These injuries can lead to many types
of infections.
• Maintain the quality of water. Dirty
water may cause fi n rot infection.
Ensure
clean, chemical-free and
pollutant-free water for the aquarium.
* Rajiv Sharma is the Founder of online
aquarium forum www.aquapetz.com.
He is also an aquarium hobbyist and
planted aquarium designer. His email
id and phone number are rsrajivji@
gmail.com and 9958075234.
October 2019 • Vol. XII • Issue 10 • Noida
29
| Creature Companion