Betta fish are solitary creatures that can be found in rice paddies, flood plains and drainage ditches. They are often exposed to droughts and floods and have undergone selective breeding for the ornamental trade. They come in many colors and can be kept in small sororities. Learn the difference between common betta colors. In this article, you’ll discover the different varieties and learn how to choose one for your tank.
Veiltail bettas
Veiltail bettas prefer to live in their own tank and should never share an aquarium with other species of bettas. Females must be slightly smaller than males because a larger maleqdevelop stripes on its body and the female will develop a white dot between its fins.
Bettas have a variety of colors
There are several colors available in the Betta world, but all of them are derived from a combination of yellow and metallics. The most common betta color is steel blue, but it can also be purple. Despite its name, bettas do not have any red on their body. They have metallic faces and black fins and scales. There are also white bettas, which lack translucency.
They are a solitary fish
In the wild, betta fish are solitary. But they can be found in groups. The male bettas, who are territorial, are aggressive towards each other, but if you have the patience, you can co-habitate with other fish. Usually, bettas are solitary fish, but they can live with other species of fish and invertebrates, as long as they are friendly and of similar temperaments. Bettas can live with other fish and even African dwarf frogs.
They can be kept in small sororities
In order to keep a Betta fish sorority, you need to keep their size and ages similar. You don’t want a bunch of small fish fighting over the best tank. To prevent this from happening, it’s best to buy them from local breeders, rather than from big importers, as they are usually better cared for. However, if you don’t have the time or resources to breed your own Betta fish, there are several options.
They graze on insects
When a betta is lacking in the essential nutrients it needs, it may seem like an easy solution. But insects aren’t the only foods your betta needs. You can also give it a few insects from other sources on a regular basis. While mosquito larva are safe for bettas, they can sometimes become a nuisance if they live inside the aquarium. You can feed them a few each day or you can even breed them yourself.
They have a labyrinth organ
If you are wondering if your Betta fish have a labyrnth organ, then you’re not alone. This peculiar organ is the defining characteristic of the suborder Anabantoidei. This labyrinth organ is a much-folded suprabranchial accessory breathing organ formed by the vascularized expansion of the first gill arch. The fish use it to breathe air, and it’s important to note that there are more than six dozen species of labyrinth fish, with bettas and gouramis being among the most commonly known.
They require a lid
A Betta fish tank must have a lid for the safety of the fish. Keeping an open-topped aquarium results in evaporation, which needs to be replaced frequently. Furthermore, in areas with hard water, limescale may form on the top of the tank, making it difficult to remove it. Luckily, there are a few ways to keep the top of your Betta fish tank free of limescale.
They can introduce parasites to aquariums
The simplest way to detect if your betta fish is infected is by observing the color of their skin and checking for signs of fever, cloudy, or milky skin. If the infected fish exhibits abnormally protruding flagella, it may have an external parasite. A dose of aquarium salt may treat minor parasites, but if you notice more severe symptoms, you may need to treat it with anti-parasite medication. Some common parasites in bettas are nematodes, which are roundworms and protozoa.
