Siamese Fighting Fish, lat. Betta splendens- Betta splendens distribution
Family: Osphronemidae;
Genus: Betta;
Species and synonyms: Siamese Fighting Fish (Betta splendens, Siamese Fighting Fish, Betta, Plakat).
GBIF:
Siamese Fighting Fish (lat. Betta splendens) is a species of labyrinth fish from the order Anabantiformes, family Osphronemidae, genus Betta. One of the most popular and recognizable aquarium fish in the world.
Distribution. The natural range of the Siamese Fighting Fish covers water bodies of Southeast Asia, mainly Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. The fish prefer slow-moving or stagnant waters with sandy or muddy bottoms, often found in rice paddies, canals, ponds, swamps and floodplain water bodies with dense vegetation.
Care requirements. The Siamese Fighting Fish is a small fish, growing up to 5–7 cm in the aquarium. For keeping a single specimen, an aquarium of at least 10–20 liters is recommended, for a group — from 50 liters. A tight-fitting lid is essential, as the fish may jump out. Optimal water parameters: temperature 24–28°C, hardness 5–15 dGH, pH 6.0–7.5. Filtration with moderate flow, aeration and weekly water changes of 20–25% are necessary. Sandy or fine gravel substrate, driftwood, stones and shelters are placed at the bottom. Plants are planted in the substrate, creating dense thickets, and floating plants on the surface are essential.
Siamese Fighting Fish are predators, feeding on small invertebrates, worms and insect larvae in the wild. In the aquarium, their diet should consist of high-quality flakes and pellets, live and frozen foods (bloodworms, tubifex, brine shrimp, daphnia, glassworms). It is important to provide protein-rich food and a varied diet. Feed should be 1–2 times a day in small portions.
In the aquarium, Siamese Fighting Fish are active in the upper and middle water layers. They are territorial and aggressive towards conspecifics, especially males, so males are kept singly or in large aquariums with plenty of cover. Recommended tankmates include peaceful fish that are not prone to fin-nipping (e.g., corydoras, rasboras, small tetras). It is not recommended to keep them with veiltail fish and fish prone to aggression.
Breeding in home aquariums is possible and often practiced by aquarists. Siamese Fighting Fish are bubble-nesters: the male builds a bubble nest on the water surface, where the female lays eggs. They reach sexual maturity at 6–8 months. To stimulate spawning, water changes with fresh water and a temperature increase to 28–30°C are recommended. After spawning, the female is removed, and the male cares for the eggs and fry. Eggs incubate for 1–2 days, fry are fed infusoria, Artemia nauplii and fine dry food.
The Siamese Fighting Fish gets its name from its bright coloration and the aggressive behavior of males. The variety of colors and fin shapes is enormous: veiltail, crowntail, delta-tail, halfmoon and many others. It is one of the most popular fish, accessible even to beginner aquarists. Life expectancy is 3–5 years.
Crossocheilus oblongus