Bettas (genus Betta) popular species

Some of the most visually striking fish for your aquarium are bettas. These fish, which are found in the genus Betta, are distinguished by their vivid colors and graceful fins. They are available in several beautiful species. Bettas provide an engrossing window into the world of tropical fish, regardless of experience level. They are not only stunning, but also fascinating to watch because of their distinct personalities and behaviors.

The Betta splendens is the most well-known and well-liked of the many species of Betta. Known by many as the Siamese fighting fish, it is well-known for its striking colors and amazing fin displays. Other species exist as well, such as Betta imbellis and Betta mahachaiensis, which have distinct appearances and traits. Every species has a unique charm that can add a fresh perspective to your aquarium design.

Bettas are particularly fascinating because of their variety of fin types and color variations. There is a Betta to suit every preference, ranging from the glistening scales of the Crowntail to the graceful flow of the Halfmoon. Moreover, these fish exhibit fascinating behaviors that can be amusing and instructive to observe, like creating bubble nests and displaying territoriality.

This post will discuss some of the most well-known Betta species, their unique characteristics, and what makes them unique. You’ll find lots of helpful information and advice to get you started, whether you’re thinking about getting a Betta for your tank or you just want to learn more about these fascinating creatures.

Betta splendens	Known as the Siamese fighting fish, this is the most common betta. It has a wide range of colors and fin types, and is popular for its vibrant appearance and dynamic behavior.
Betta imbellis	Also called the peaceful betta, this species is less aggressive than Betta splendens and has a beautiful, subdued coloration. It"s often favored for community tanks.
Betta mahachaiensis	This species has a unique pattern and a more subtle coloration compared to other bettas. It’s known for its calm nature and is a bit less common in the aquarium trade.
Betta coccina	Often referred to as the red betta, it features striking red and orange hues. This species is smaller and less aggressive, making it suitable for smaller tanks.
Betta smaragdina	Known as the emerald betta, this species has a stunning greenish sheen. It’s a bit less common but highly valued for its distinctive color.

Species

Habitat

Inhabit the islands of Kalimantan, Sumatra, Java, and the Indochina and Malacca peninsulas.

Retain in verdant streams, small rivers, ditches, and marshy reservoirs found in both lowland and mountainous regions.

Description

The body is long, lean, and nearly circular in cross section. The anal fin is long and may have an extended tip, while the dorsal fin is short. The ventral fin’s initial rays are longer.

The mixed brown and green hue of wild forms helps them blend in with their surroundings and prevents them from being eaten by other fish.

One of the most exquisite aquarium fish is a selected Betta (B. splendens); their color and brilliance far outshine those of any other member of their family. The color of the body in bright light plays and shimmers, taking on different shades. To date, variations of red, blue, yellow, green, pink, and white colors have been bred. Males become particularly bright when they spawn or when they engage in combat with other males.

Size:

While all species are small fish, the size difference is notable; for example, the total length of Betta Chana (B. chanoides) is less than 3.5 cm, while that of Betta Acar (B. akarensis) is 14 cm.

Behavior and compatibility

There are species in the genus that exhibit peaceful, slightly aggressive, and aggressive behavior, among other variations in behavior. The Fighting fish (B. splendens), whose males can only be kept alone, are the most acrimonious.

Aquarium fish that are calm and small in size can make great tankmates; small catfish are a great example of this.

Aquarium

Can be housed in a community aquarium; however, the top of the aquarium needs to be closed to allow warm air to circulate above the water’s surface. If not, the fish may inhale cold air and become sick.

Females can find refuge from males who are also aggressive toward one another in thickets of plants and snags.

Water parameters:

Temperature range: 22–30°C pH range: 6.0 to 7.5 Durability: 4 to 15° dGH

Feeding

They consume nearly everything alive that fits in their mouths in the wild, including worms, insects, mosquito larvae, invertebrates, and fry.

This species, like most labyrinth fish, is omnivorous and indifferent to most foods, including frozen, dried, and live ones. All food kinds should be included in the diet, as fish can only have the brightest colors when they have a varied diet.

Sexual Dimorphism

In contrast to the elongated fins on males, females in this genus have smaller fins and a somewhat paler coloration.

They reach sexual maturity in four to five months.

Breeding

There are two different ways that members of this genus spawn: some, like B. splendens, construct aerial nests, while others, like B. picta, mouthbrood.

Both in the general area and in the spawning aquarium, spawning occurs in pairs.

Within a particular group of fish, the male constructs a foam nest on the water’s surface, where spawning takes place. He then tends to the eggs and larvae, keeping them safe from other fish. A 25 cm long spawning aquarium for a pair that is soilless, has a dark substrate, multiple plant bushes for the female, and floating plants. The pair is kept apart for a week prior to planting for spawning. The male is placed first, and the female with the swollen belly is placed a few hours later. There is a 2-3 °C increase in water temperature.

Once the fry start swimming, the male is taken out and the female is left behind. After a period of 1-2 days of incubation, the fry start to swim.

Either the water level is reduced to 5 cm or the fry are moved to an aquarium meant for rearing, where the water level is initially raised and subsequently raised as the fry develop.

Food to start: live dust.

The male of a different species of fish typically incubates the egg in his mouth. A spawning aquarium featuring fine soil, pockets of floating plants, thickets, and potentially a cave. In a shared aquarium, the pair establishes a territory and defends it from other fish.

Typically, spawning takes place over a free, shaded patch of ground.

Hiding in a shelter, the male incubates the eggs in his mouth. The female in a communal aquarium is the protector of the area; however, in a spawning aquarium, she can be removed. In nine to twelve days, fry appear.

Small nauplii of cyclops and brine shrimp are appetizer foods.

Representatives of the genus typically have a life expectancy of three to five years when favorable conditions are met.

This genus currently has 73 recognized species. A brief description of the most well-known of them can be found below.

Betta picta (Betta picta) Cuvier, Valenciennes, 1846

Synonym: Panchax pictum.
Inhabit the area of ​​. Singapore, the islands of Sumatra and Java.
Length up to 5 cm.
The body is brown, lighter towards the belly. 3 dark longitudinal stripes pass through the body, the average goes from the snout to the tail fin the rest begins behind the gill cover. During spawning, transverse stripes appear.
The male is larger, all fins except the pectoral are yellowish to reddish-brown, on the anal there is a black-blue stripe, the elongated rays of the pelvic fin are light blue.
The female has colorless fins.
It is better to keep a group of fish, the females form and defend a territory, males are peaceful.
Water: 22-26° C. O.Rybakov recommends dH 6-20°.
The male incubates eggs in his mouth. Spray occurs in the surface among plant leaves. Up to 85 fry leave the male mouth after 10-12 days at 25 ° C.

Betta striped (Betta Taeniata) Regan, 1909

Synonyms: in. tvifasciata, c. Macrophthalma.
inhabit Thailand (south of g. Bangkoka), Peni Malacca, Froke Kalimatan and Sumatra.
length up to 8 cm.
The body is yellowish to reddish-brown with variable longitudinal stripes and dark spots on the head and fins.
The male is larger, with a more powerful and rounded snout. Before spawning, its body darkens, the longitudinal stripes stand out more clearly and shiny greenish dots appear. With the onset of spawning, the stripes gradually disappear, and the male incubating the eggs becomes dark brown. The female has a sharp snout, during spawning it becomes light yellow.
The fish are quite shy, stay mainly near the bottom, willingly in shelters.
It is better to keep a group of fish in a large species aquarium, the males are not very aggressive.
The female lays up to 50 eggs, which she incubates in her mouth.
X.Richter reports on the content and breeding in water: 24-27 ° C, dH 21 °, KH 7 °, with frequent partial water changes.

Betta emerald (Betta smaragdina) Ladiges, 1972

Inhabit rice fields of Thailand.
Length up to 7 cm.
The body is dark, olive-brown with shiny green spots on the scales. The anal and caudal fins are dark red with green-blue stripes along the rays. The dorsal fin is shiny green-blue with oblique dark stripes between the rays. The ventral fins are brownish with white tips.
The male has larger fins, the female often has irregularly shaped transverse stripes on her body.
The fish are quite peaceful, they stay in the middle and upper layers of water. Can be kept in a group. The male is very aggressive when building a nest, spawning and caring for offspring. Up to 200 fry.
Crosses with a fighting fish.

Betta unimaculata Popta, 1905

Synonym: Parophiocephalus unimaculatus.
They inhabit the island of Kalimantan.
The length of the male is up to 14 cm, the female up to 12 cm.
The body is very elongated, the caudal peduncle is almost as high as the body.
The main color of the body is green-blue with a greenish sheen, the back is darker. Sometimes there is a dark longitudinal stripe on the side. There may be a black spot on the caudal peduncle. The anal, caudal and base of the dorsal fins have rows of spots, the tip of the ventral fin is whitish.
When excited, the male"s side on the back half of the body darkens, and dark transverse stripes appear on it.
The female is light brown.
It is better to keep the fish in a group in a species aquarium with dense thickets, caves and snags. Fights between males are observed, but only after changing the water. The fish are jumping, the aquarium should be closed from above. The male incubates the eggs in his mouth.
X.Richter reports on keeping and breeding in water dH 22°.

Betta black / Dwarf betta / Black betta (Betta imbeIIis) Ladiges, 1975

Inhabits marshy ponds, rice fields and ditches of the peninsula Malacca.
Length up to 5 cm.
Body is ochre with brownish transverse stripes. Fins are orange-reddish.
Before spawning, the body of the male acquires a black-blue color with rows of spots that shimmer with a bluish to greenish color. Fins are blue to dark purple with dark rays. Caudal fin with black border, followed by a red stripe. Tips of anal and ventral fins are red.
The fish are quite peaceful, several males with females can be kept in a large aquarium overgrown with plants.
But before spawning, males seize territories and start fights. The male builds a nest from foam. Up to 300 eggs.
Crosses with a betta.

Fish that are truly fascinating are bettas; each one has its own special charm. These species have something to offer everyone, from the vivid colors of the Siamese fighting fish to the serene beauty of the Betta splendens. They are a well-liked option for both novice and expert aquarists due to their gorgeous appearance and wide variety.

It’s crucial to take the betta’s temperament and individual requirements into account when selecting one. Other species, such as Betta imbellis and Betta mahachaiensis, offer distinct characteristics and personalities, while the Betta splendens is well-known for its vibrant colors and flowing fins. You can provide your new aquatic buddy with a better environment if you are aware of these differences.

Betta fish are perfect for small aquariums or even bowls because they are not only aesthetically pleasing but also relatively easy to care for. They still need the correct nutrition and tank setup, though, in order to thrive. You can have these amazing fish in your home with vibrant, colorful presence if you provide them with a healthy habitat and regular care.

Bettas (genus Betta) are among the most well-liked aquarium fish because of their eye-catching hues and endearing dispositions. Because of their beautiful fin displays and lively personalities, these fish have grown to be popular among hobbyists. The most common betta species will be discussed in this article, along with their special qualities, maintenance needs, and reasons for being fascinating additions to home aquariums.

Video on the topic

Betta fish (Fighting fish, or Siamese fighting fish (lat. Betta splendens) in a five-liter container.

Why are bettas called fighting fish? #exomenu #cockerel #fish #aquarium #exomenu

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Types cockerels.Betta.