If you’re interested in a colorful aquarium pet, betta fish are a popular choice. Maybe you’ve seen rows of little glass jars at the pet store, each one with a bright, flowing-finned fish inside? Those were probably betta fish.
The betta fish (otherwise known as Betta Splendens or the Siamese Fighting Fish) comes from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and parts of China. In the wild, the betta fish is found in rice paddies, swampy areas, shallow ponds, and some slow moving streams. The waters here are warm — between 75 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit (24-30 degrees Celsius). In waters below 75 degrees Fahrenheit, your betta fish may become listless and refuse to eat.
Male betta fish are brightly colored — colors range from red to blue to white. They have long, flowing fins that make them very interesting to watch. Female betta fish are not as brightly colored and have shorter fins, though some breeding females may have horizontal stripes. The majority of the betta fish you’ll find at pet shops are males, though it is possible to find females, too.
Betta fish tend to inhabit the top level of the tank. This is partly because they have a special organ that lets them take oxygen directly from the air at the surface of the water! So your betta fish will need access to the water’s surface — a sealed jar is NOT a good habitat for a betta fish.
In nature, betta fish eat mostly bugs and larvae. This fish has an upturned mouth that helps them grab insects from the water’s surface! Live foods (insects and larvae) are ideal for your betta fish, though they can survive on flakes and frozen foods. They can eat plant material, but a plants-only diet can compromise their immune systems.
Quick betta fish facts:
- Adult betta fish are approximately three inches (seven centimeters) long
- Betta fish live two to three years
- Water pH levels should be between 6.8 and 7.4.
- Male betta fish should not be kept together in small tanks — they will fight.