Photo: Bluebie Pixie / Flickr

We are told that keeping fish as pet is good for our home’s feng shui, when the aquarium is placed in the appropriate spot. Staring at little fish swimming round and round in a softly lit tank can also lower stress levels. It is all very Zen, but what if you have no clue about what fish to choose and how large an aquarium you should buy? Have no fear! After some research, it seems that one of the most popular choices is the betta, from its scientific name betta splendens, which also known as the Siamese fighting fish.

Some stats and important facts

The Siamese fighting fish belongs to the Belontiidae family and originated in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Its natural habitat includes shallow ponds, rice paddies and slow-moving streams. In the wild, it can grow up to 3 inches (7cm) and has a lifespan of two to three years.

These brilliantly coloured fish require a minimum tank size of about 3 gallons (11 litres) with a temperature ranging from 75 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit and a pH level between 6.8 and 7.4.

You should know that males absolutely cannot be kept together in the same tank. They really are fighting fish. Females are not as brightly coloured as their male counterparts and are not as aggressive. However, you should have plenty of hiding places if you intend to have more than one female in one tank.

Siamese fighting fish prefer live foods such as insects and larvae but will tolerate frozen foods and flakes. You can choose from plankton, Daphnia, Brine shrimp, glassworms, tubifex and beef heart to supplement a flake food diet.

When you’re feeling broody

Siamese fighting fish are egglayer breeders that produce bubble nests. The best time for breeding is when they are under a year old. Both the male and female will produce beautiful, bright colours and circle each other under the bubble nest produced by the male. Once the female has expelled the eggs and the male has fertilised them and placed them in the bubble nest, it is a good idea to remove the female. Brooding females tend to be aggressive.

After two days, the eggs will hatch and you will be able to see the fry. It is best to remove the male within two days of hatching as he is likely to eat the young once they start to swim freely, about 36 hours after hatching. Appropriate food for young Siamese fighting fish includes baby brine shrimp or very fine baby food.

These are simple fish to keep but you need to regularly clean the bowl or tank and feed them appropriately. Ask your pet store expert for more advice.

Tags: fish, fish tank