Siamese Fighting Fish(Betta)
Family: Belontiidae Size: 3 inches Food: Carnivourous Temperature: 75-84 Degrees fahrenheit
The Betta or Siamese Fighting Fish is one of the most popular aquarium fish. True to their common name, male Bettas will fight viciously with one another in an aquarium where no escape is possible. One male, however, in a community tank or with female Bettas generally does very well. Females will also fight among themselves, though not as aggressively as males. Over 100 years ago aquarists in the Orient began breeding Bettas to emphasize color and finnage. The results of those efforts are readily seen in the beautiful variety of today's Bettas. Females, too, are brightly colored, but do not have the long finnage of males. These highly domesticated varieties bear little resemblance to their wild counterparts. Given the ongoing breeding programs, Betta splendens in all its magnificence is sure to remain a popular aquarium choice for many years to come.