Makes turning them on and off a lot easier. Mine has a tank carrier, I made up, and i just pp the other stuff right out if the tank in one piece, if need be, because they're strapped together with plastic ties, along with the wires, and I have it plugged into a dedicate power strip. I think they NEED to lay on it, quite frankly. GET THEM THE SUCTION CUP LEAF to rest on! Please! they LOVE to lay on it. They get happy, sad, depressed, funny, silly, they KNOW WHO YOU ARE. These fish seem to, no,no,no, I KNOW these fish have FEELINGS. It is exactly like having a dog or cat kind of pet, not a swimming/pacing, ROBOTIC movements of other fish. He has his own personality, not like those flitty little neon fish in the big tank. The betta is known as "plakad" in its native Thailand and has often been referred to as "The Jewel of the Orient.".Bettas normally live 2 - 3 years, but there have been a few cases of bettas living well into their teens.Bettas have several different tail shapes - the most common being the "veil tail." Other tail shapes include the "half-moon," "double tail," "short-finned fighting-style tail" and "crown tail.".Cold water can suppress the immune system and cause illness. Bettas prefer slightly acidic water (pH 6.5 to 7) and warm water.This will prevent excessive ammonia and bacteria from building up. You can also use a small turkey baster to siphon debris from the bottom of the tank. Plain warm water will work just fine for cleaning these items. And never use soap or disinfectants to clean off fish ornaments or decorations.
If your water has a high level of chlorine in it, you may need to add a drop of declorinator to the tap water before adding it to the tank or bowl. This should be done about every three or four days for small bowls or tanks. This will gently allow the fish to adjust to the temperature and pH of clean water - while not upsetting the biological balance of the fish's environment. When cleaning a betta's tank or bowl, make sure you only take out a third of the water each time and replace it with fresh water. Aquatic caves or dense, planted corners work great in making a betta feel safe. Bettas prefer to swim alone and also need a comfortable place to hide. Nothing could be farther than the truth! Bettas cannot survive on plant roots and need a diet high in protein and fiber to survive.īettas, unlike other species, are not schooling fish and will fight with each other, regardless of gender. It is a common misconception that peace lilies or plant roots grown out of "betta vases" can sustain the fish. This improves the betta's brilliant coloring and longevity. Commercial betta food or pellets are best because it combines all three foods, in addition to vitamins and minerals. A good diet consists of dried bloodworms, brine shrimp or daphnia. In fact, the sport became so renowned in Thailand that the former King of Siam had it regulated and taxed! Spectators of the sport based their bets on the bravery of the fish, rather than the damage inflicted by the victor.īettas have upturned mouths and primarily feed on the water's surface.
The betta got its name from an ancient clan of warriors, called the "Bettah." The fish were given a combatant name after the fighting fish became popular in the mid-1800s. The preferred water temperature for a betta is 76-82 degrees F.
Although bettas can tolerate small spaces and poor water quality, they do best in small aquariums (at least two gallons) with regular water changes. 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. A labyrinth fish has the unique ability to breathe oxygen directly from the air and also take in oxygen from its gills. The cyclic, drastic changes in its environment helped the fish to adapt - becoming a true labyrinth fish. Making its home in rice paddies, drainage ditches and the warm flood plains of the region, the betta became accustomed to frequent storm flooding and devastating droughts. The betta was first discovered in Southeast Asia.
You can find your local professional pet sitter on PSI's Pet Sitter Locator. Read on and learn more about this graceful, multi-hued fish, and remember: If work or travel keeps you from home, always choose a professional pet sitter for your pet-sitting needs. But do these small, aesthetically-pleasing fish bowls provide a healthy environment for the fish? Is the popular betta bachelor in need of a companion or is it better off living alone? The Siamese fighting fish, or betta, is a vibrantly-colored fish often seen swimming solo in brandy sniffers and ornamental vases in both the office and home. Big fish in a small pond - or little fish in a small container?