El Betta fish, is the aquatic world a fighting fish, since this fish is highly sought after for trade. Pet stores are responsible for marketing the fish and the consumer has no idea how they should feed and care for them. So we invite you to delve into this topic with the help of the following article.
the betta fish
The Betta fish is one of the favorite inhabitants of the fish tanks of the people who are in charge of raising fish, due to its extraordinary natural coloration and its special personality, one of the Animals that breathe through gills. Due to these characteristics, it is difficult to resist the spectacular nature of his development and that regal temperament that makes him be called the Warrior of Siam.
And it is that, like its title and its nickname, they certainly come from an old clan of historical warriors in the birthplace of these fish, Thailand.
Betta fish are native to Asia, where they live in low-lying, muddy water, ponds, or slow-moving streams.
The betta male They are attached parents who make nests for their babies with their lips, which they relentlessly protect and defend against predators. Like humans, betta fish during the day are active, they are very imperative to the point of jumping into the water, but at night they sleep, so they need darkness to rest.
betta fish care
Betta fish are caught in various parts of the wild, most Betta fish are sold in the US by people who are responsible for raising the fish. In different countries in Southeast Asia, they are recreated by having them in small plastic and glass bottles. They are also injured when packed in small plastic containers and thrown roughly into net-lined baskets.
These Betta fish are too sensitive and suffer more pain in the animal and talisman trade, where they are exposed to inappropriate care, more when they are transferred to pet places and then sold in various parts of the countries or continents.
We are going to begin to know how the betta fish lives so that it can have good health. In pet stores we can see the betta fish in small cylinders filled with water, which indicates that this fish is accustomed in its natural habitat to being in shallow water, so its habitat should be in smaller fish tanks since this It benefits it in terms of pressure since the more water the fish tank contains, the more pressure it exerts on the body of the betta fish.
Not only do we have to be careful with the amount of water contained in the container where the fish is, there are three main points:
Temperature
In view of the fact that the betta fish is a tropical fish, it requires an ambient temperature of 26 degrees Celsius, if it is in temperatures below this, the fish gets sick, so you have to prevent these low temperatures and acquire a water heater to be able to do so. keep at the right temperature.
The pH of the aquarium
It is important since it must be slightly acidic, so it is good to do maintenance every 5 days and not completely change all the water, but rather a third of it. This way we can maintain the ideal pH for the betta fish and not change the environment abruptly.
In shops or you have a pet you can buy the water meter kit and thus you can control the pH of the aquarium.
Chlorine in the aquarium
It is important that you take into account that chlorine is deadly for betta fish, so you have to eliminate most of it. For this, a neutralizer is used, which is a chemical product that is added to the water and lowers the level of chlorine necessary for the fish survival.
The character of the betta fish
As we mentioned before, its temperament is unique and peculiar, hence its nickname of Warrior, this behavior is only seen stronger in the male. The ideal is to have 3 females per male in order to simplify the species.
However, for the coexistence of the betta fish with other fish in the same fish tank, we must be careful that its fins are not as long as those of the betta fish. By instinct the fish will respond to what if the fish is bigger than it will eat it and if it is bigger than the other fish it will be the one who devours it.
It is an imperative fish and it is recommended to select very well the plants that we will place in the fish tank and natural ones are always recommended since the fins of the betta fish are very delicate and if the plant is artificial, rubbing can cut and damage them. In the same way we have to take into account the decoration that we place in the aquarium since they need refuges to hide and they will always look like a type of cave.
Another important point is that betta fish like to jump in the water so it is good to have a lid on the tank to prevent the fish from getting out of it.
What do fish eat Betta?
It is a fundamental point to provide good health to our fish since their diet is the main cause of disease in these fish. In its natural habitat, this fish is omnivorous, which means that it feeds on both small plants and small insects that live on them.
Despite this, the feeding of the betta fish becomes a diet based on animal protein, which makes it a carnivorous fish, in the same way we have to monitor this type of feeding, it not only needs 40% of this protein, which is the ideal level. to keep you in optimal health.
On the other hand, being careful with the food for its good nutrition is ideal that we set feeding schedules in order to give it adequate portions. Giving a betta fish too much food can be deadly for it, as it is about the same size as its eyes. Primary reason that we observe its appetite to be able to add the food portions gradually as long as the fish requires it.
The right food for him can be purchased in stores and it is recommended to give him a good food to help him have a good digestion, it is recommended to wet him with a little water from the same fish tank so that he can spread before eating it. After feeding the betta fish, it is advisable to maintain the aquarium of all the food that he did not eat in order to keep the water clean and thus also prevent the fish from consuming too much food.
Its health will depend on the care you offer your betta fish and you will have as a reward to delight yourself with such wonderful beauty that the fish offers to the eye.
Do betta fish feel lonely?
Betta fish can feel disappointed and gloomy. Although they can generally be happy in a suitable container on their own, they require a habitat filled with plenty of caves, plants, and an area to browse. In the same way they suffer from stress, mainly when other species of fish are put in the same container that do not socialize with it and rather end up damaging the fins of the betta fish.
Can betta fish live with other fish?
By having a spacious area and places where she can take refuge whenever she feels threatened, female bettas can live in a peaceful society. Males will fight with other male bettas and colisas (a physically similar species), but can be kept individually in a tank with some other docile species of fish such as catfish, kuhlii loach or reticulated poecilla.
In the same way they can coexist with other species such as snakes, glass shrimp and frogs. If the attack causes an inconvenience in any corporate pond, you should have a secluded isolation tank where you can place the other fish to avoid fish fights.
betta fish behavior
Betta fish can distinguish the people who care for them. And when they see their caretaker they swim enthusiastically without stopping. They are very restless and they love to investigate and browse new elements placed inside their aquarium, which can contribute to the mental well-being of the fish.
Do fish get frustrated inside a fish tank?
In the poultry or animal sales shops, they mostly trade with betta fish and we can see them in glass containers as decoration. The advantage is that this fish can survive with very little water, perhaps in the container it does not even allow it to swim and jump as it would in a wide space.
As we have mentioned before, betta fish must be in a space with rocks, natural plants and places where they can hide in order to maintain a healthy life, any frustration can be fatal for this fish.
How to prepare a fish tank for betta fish
Conditioning and maintaining your own fish tank for any species of aquatic animal is considerably more complicated, economically high and requires much more time than the person can imagine.
That is why having fish as pets is not recommended because of all the work that their care requires. But if you already have a betta fish, you can provide it with good comfort by adapting its setting that is as similar as acceptable to its environment.
Of course, it is difficult for fish to feel like they are in their wild life, but here are some tips with which you can provide the betta fish with the best conditions so that they can be happy:
- Maintain the proper water level in a large fish tank where you can enjoy the space.
- Keep the water free of chlorine, to prevent the betta fish from dying, for this commercial neutralizers are used.
- Place filters at low pressure level. Introducing the fish after several days is recommended.
- Check the pH of the water.
- Control the temperature and light that is always constant throughout the day.
- Use the special equipment for cleaning the stones. And maintenance is recommended once a week.
- Do not use any chemical product such as soapy liquids for cleaning the aquarium, any product not special for fish can cause death.
- Placing natural plants which are beneficial for the Betta fish helps them to feed and in turn provides them with oxygen.