How to care for Siamese Fighting Fish

Water
pH approx: 7.0; GH 50-l5Oppm

Temperature
Siamese Fighting Fish also known as ‘Beta Fish’ or just ‘Beta’originate in warm water and should always be kept above 18°C. In colder states such as Vic and Tas, they will require a heater during winter months.

Range
In nature, these fish are found mostly in the rice patties of Thailand, Cambodia and Malaysia and called ‘pla-kad’ or ‘trey krem’ .

Size
Can reach sizes of 8cm.

Colour
Well known for their fighting habits, males have been bred to have magnificent finnage in many spectacular colour varieties. Blue, red and ocean green are the most popular. Females are not as colourful as males, and have relatively small fins.

Feeding
Feed floating pellets such as Tetra Bettamin Tropical Medley, live black worm, freeze dried black worm or frozen blood worm.

Temperament
Male Siamese Fighting Fish are extremely aggressive toward each other. In the confines of an aquarium, battles between males often end in death. However, they are usually peaceful towards other fish. An aggressive strain of short finned fighting fish has been developed in Thailand for use in fighting bouts.

In Home Tanks
Conditions in established home aquariums are usually quite suited for keeping fighting fish. Good animal husbandry is essential — ensure low population densities, plenty of hiding places, low bacteria levels and good water quality. In small tanks they will require frequent water changes and good water maintenance— we recommend Tetra Betta Safe as a suitable water conditioner for your Fighting

Fish. Always take care that they are not restricted in their movements and are able to turn and swim freely. In a shared aquarium, a little extra care may be needed at feeding time to ensure they get their share, and to ensure that other fish do not nip at their elaborate finnage. Fighting fish can be coaxed into brilliant displays of territorial aggression by holding a mirror against the side of the aquarium. The fish believes that the reflection is an intruding male and will spread his fins and flash his most brilliant colours in a bid to scare off the “intruder”.

Breeding
Fighters are not difficult to breed at home. Females lay eggs which are scooped up by the male and cared for in a floating bubble nest. Fighting fish make an ideal “first pet” but always remember—only one male per tank.