Siamese fighters, often known as betta fish or Siamese fighting fish, are popular tropical fish with an unmistakable appearance.
Whilst the females are far less showy than the males, these small fish possess long, flowing fins of varying colors. Vivid reds and electric blues are the most common color forms though others are seen from time to time. These fins move elegantly through the water, making it look like these fighting fish are wearing flowing capes.
In short, whilst these fish do not attain a particularly large size, they are some of the most attractive, colorful and elegant fish a tropical aquarium enthusiast can own.
Luckily, these fish can be reasonably easy to care for if one is willing to bear in mind a few basic steps.
Firstly, Siamese fighters are so-called for a reason. Quite simply, two or more males if placed together will fight – often to the death – and so one should be careful to only ever keep one male in a tank.
Secondly, the long, flowing fins of the males can be a source of great entertainment to some other fish such as barbs which may nip the fins of these beautiful fish leaving them looking tired and unwell. Worse, the stress of this harassment has been known to cause death in extreme circumstances.
Fortunately females possess smaller fins and may be kept in multiples though they are far less showy than the males and so typically less popular amongst fish keepers.
The best way to keep siamese fighters is therefore either in a tropical community tank being very careful about the other inhabitants of the aquarium, or in a species-only tank where one male plus a number of females can be kept in the hope that breeding will occur.
Apart from these small steps, betta fish can be kept like most other tropical fish. Warm water of around 25′C tends to work well, with a base food of tropical fish flakes. We aware that color-enhancing foods are available should your siamese fighters start to lose their color with age.
