Thursday 18 April 2013

who are bettas really?

Here is a little background information about bettas, if you already know well tough you will just have to read it again.

The betta was first discovered in Southeast asia. Making its home in the rice paddies. Bettas are known to be labyrinth fish. A labyrinth fish has the unique ability to breathe oxygen directly from the air and also take in oxygen from its gills.  As a result, bettas and other labyrinth fish can survive for short periods of time out of water and if needed, can inhale the air around them (provided they stay moist.)  This also explains why a betta can sustain itself in stagnant, oxygen-deficient water.  Although bettas can tolerate small spaces and poor water quality, they do best in small aquariums (at least two gallons) with regular water changes.  The preferred water temperature for a betta is 76-82 degrees F. Bettas prefer slightly acidic water (pH 6.5 to 7) and warm water.  Cold water can suppress the immune system and cause illness.

Bettas are referred to as "Siamese fighting fish". This is because the male bettas are extremely aggressive towards one another and will attack. They have been known to flare up upon seeing their own reflections so as to intimidate what they assume as another betta. Female betta fish on the other hand are not as quite that aggressive towards one another, they it is recommended that there be many hiding places inside a the tank if several female fish are kept  together but, keeping two male betta fish together will be a big mistake as one of them are most likely to end up dying.

Bettas are able to live in small aquariums , they have been found to live up to three years in the right conditions, but few in home aquariums will live that long. Bettas come in many shapes, you get : regular, crown tail and twin tail bettas, and many more. They also come in many colours but the most common colours are red, blue and green. Bettas are able to tolerate poor water conditions but really do appreciate regular water changes if kept in an aquarium. Doing 2-3 water changes per week are said to be better than one water change as it is good for the fish.

i hope this little inside scope into the life of bettas was interesting. Don't worry i will be back to give you some more facts about bettas.

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