TYPES OF BETTA FISH

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Betta fish are one of the most common freshwater fish known. These fish are so common and loved due to the diverse colors and shapes in which they can be found in. Betta fish are classified in their colors, patterns, and tail type. They can be a bit aggressive, and this behavior puts off some of the newcomers who keep them as a hobby, but when they are properly taken care of and fed well, this does not happen. The betta fish is also known as the Siamese fighting fish, and they are common with beginner aquarists. They have for a long time been cross-bred, and they have created the most amazing coloration and tail variation. They do not require a lot of maintenance, and they also have amazing personalities. They can learn to recognize their owners, and they also create bubble nests.  These fish also have an organ known as the labyrinth organ, which allows them to breathe their air as their gills cannot always get enough oxygen from the surrounding waters. As said earlier, they have three different classifications, and for the tailed, they have a lot of variation, from long and flowing to short and neat. Body variation can also have different variations from multicolored to single body patterns. The most interesting is the variation in color since it has all the different colors of a rainbow.

TAIL TYPES

One of the most appealing features of all the different betta versions is the tail.  Your betta fish will most often be classified by the shape and size of the tail, with some being short and silky while others are age and majestic; the different names were given to different betta fish usually give u an idea of the tail shape from the most common such as the crown tail, veil tail, and half-moon.

CROWNTAIL BETTA

The crown tail betta fish is a small freshwater fighting fish that originates from South Asia. The fish was bred for the first time by an Indonesian breeder in the year 1997 when he named this fish “Cupang serit” during the International Betta Congress.  These fish are common for their aggressive behavior and fi features in specific, especially their large caudal fin. The male crown tail betta can be a centerpiece of any small aquarium with its beautiful redundant blue caudal and large fin extensions. Thus fish is ideal for newcomers, but it is advisable to have at least two years of experience if you want to bring in tank mates. This fish originates from the shallow rice paddies for Thailand and some other parts of South Asia, such as Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia. As a keeper of this fish, you should expect this fish to grow to a maximum size of 3”, more ideally 2.5” in length. The average lifespan of a crown tail betta is between 2 to 3 years. To buy this fish, you should expect to pay between 5 to 30 dollars depending on color, vibrancy, size, sex, and the reputation of the dealer.

The caudal fin has a large extension, and in some instances, it can have a diameter of 8 inches which is three times the size of the body. This fish has a reduced webbing between the crow tail rays on their caudal fin, which gives it a crown-like look. This appearance comes from the crown tail’s spiky separate tips on their fins. On the behavior of the crown fish, it is important to first know the history of this fish. In ancient times these fish were collected by the communities in south Asia as hobbies, and they were used to conduct fights, and that is where the name Siamese fighting fish came from. This fish is very aggressive, and it frequently portrays this behavior problem of always wanting to dominate with aggression and territorial tendencies.  They prefer living alone, and they are very territorial.  If you are thinking of keeping this fish alone, then the ideal tank is a 20-gallon one, but in case you want to introduce the tank mates, you should consider increasing the size.

The natural habitat is filled with vegetation, paddy rice vegetation, and slow-moving streams, which filter the water naturally.  You will need to add Indian almond leaves inside the water in the aquarium since they release acids that are very beneficial to these bettas. A crown tail betta fish is a carnivore, and therefore the diet should contain a lot of protein o thrive. They can be fed on frozen or live food such as blackworms, blood worms, brine shrimp, and black mosquito larvae. Some of the live foods include white worms, mosquito larvae, insect larvae, and wingless fruit flies.

During the breeding, the male crown tail betta fish will construct a bubble nest nearby the floating plant, which is fertilized later. You will need both partners in order to breed them, and this can be a bit difficult due to their aggressiveness. This makes it expensive and time-consuming.

PLAKAT BETTA

The plakat bettas are a type of beautiful freshwater fish that most people are interested in owning. They have stunning colors and fins that appeal to everyone. There are different kinds of plakat bettas, but there is one common variant that is familiar to most people, and if you are experienced with the bettas, you will easily notice it.  The body of this betta is similar to other bettas, but the head stands out. The head tapers down to a point at the upturned mouth.  What makes these bettas different is the fact that the body is a little compressed and stocky compressed to others.  The body is generally shorter than the standard variety, and this makes the plants more capable of withstanding injuries. The fin is the other outstanding part where the anal fin is elongated, with sword-like pelvic fins and a fan-like dorsal fin that is found in the lower back. The fish are a bit small, and this makes it hard for the opponents to shred. The most noticeable among these bettas are the male since they have colorful fins, but they are smaller compared to females.

In normal living conditions, the plakat betta fish can live for between three and five years, but the lifespan is greatly determined by the level of care the fish receives.  If, for instance, it is subjected to fights, it will definitely have a shorter life span, and this also goes to those living in poor conditions. The average length of the adult plakat betta is between 2 to 3 inches. The plakat should not be kept in bowls and jars despite the fact that they are sold in those containers. The minimum size of a tank should be at least 5 gallons. The large tanks are beneficial since there is water quality since the small ones quickly sour as the lack of filtration lead to spikes in ammonia and nitrate levels.

The plakat betta fish are carnivores in nature, and therefore they have a very high need for proteins in their diet.  If you are looking for excellent plakats bettas, you should not rely on plant-based food since they do not make a good foundation. You should ensure that you always provide a nice balance between dry commercial food and live food. Some of the food you can feed include daphnia, micro worms, bloodworms, and any other protein-rich food. They should be fed twice a day. The plakat betta fish are highly territorial and very aggressive ad they will fight their tank mates to death.  You need to monitor them closely so as to detect any form of aggression early before it goes to the extreme.

Breeding the plakat betta fish can be a bit challenging, but it can be done but with some careful planning. The first step is to allow the bonded pair to form early in their lives.  You can then create a separate breeding tank and let the male and female get comfortable with the space before conditioning them with high-protein food. After a while, the male should start creating bubble nests. The female will release the eggs in water, and the male will fertilize them and then lead them to the bubble nest.

HALF MOON BETTA

The half-moon betta is one of the most loved freshwater fish, which greatly appeals due to its magnificent coloring, which makes it look unique among other species. The name half-moon is used to describe the shape of its tail, which looks semicircular. This fish is sometimes referred to as the Siamese fighting fish due to the fact that the male is very aggressive and will attack other male bettas that invade its space. They are solitary fish due to the fact that they enjoy staying alone and having the whole tank for themselves. This, however, does not imply that this fish cannot be hosed together with others; all you need to do is take careful consideration when deciding on which one to put there.

In their brightness, the half-moon betta their shiny colors are almost gem-like. They are found in different colors such as red, bright blue, shimmering orange, glimmering green, and some shades of purple. The males have the most impressive color, with the female colors being less bright. Whenever you find out that your half-moon betta is losing its bright colors, do not be so worried since they do that whenever they are ill or stressed. Generally, this betta fish is a small fish with a fully grown adult reaching a maximum length of 2.5 inches.

These betta fish originates from the rivers and marshes of South Asia, and it does not thrive in harsh water temperatures. The water found in its habitat is neither very warm nor very cold. These fish likes living in water that has moderate temperatures, and it should be maintained at between 72 to 81 degrees, and you can buy a heater to ensure the temperature are constant. This betta fish is very active and is, therefore, needs a water galloon that is at least 4-gallon or a single fish, and if you have more than one fish, you will need more space.

This betta fish is a carnivore in nature and is, therefore, enjoys eating some meat. The bloodworm and the brine shrimp are some of the best live food for this fish. You should be careful when feeding them to avoid overfeeding, which can be disastrous. It is advisable to feed them a small amount of food regularly, and that should be two times; once in the morning and in the evening. The half-moon betta fish are best bred when they are between four months and one year. These bettas are not likely to mate in the presence of other species, and it is, therefore, best to separate them and put them in their own tank. Whenever these bettas are paring, the male should be larger than the female slightly, and when the female is ready, the color turns dull and will develop some visible white lines down at the center of her body.

VEILTAIL BETTA

The veil tail is one of the most common types of betta fish, with its greatest attraction being its spectacular coloring which is eye-catching and makes the look unique from other fish. The name veil tail was given to this betta due to its shimmery, translucent tail that looks like a thin piece of fabric that is shiny. The male veil tail is known to be a little aggressive though not like some of the species of betta.  It is their nature to fight off other fish of the same species. Sometimes if possible, it is between giving the male betta its own tank because that is when it is happiest, but this does imply that you cannot keep them together; all you need to do is to take some consideration before choosing who to put together.

The betta fish is commonly found in a variety of colors it the most common being the bright royal blue and turquoise, but you will also find them in bright yellow, fire engine red, orange, and deep purple. This fish is not a big one since a fully grown adult will bet between 2.5 to 3 increasing length with the female being smaller. The veil tail betta is a small yet active fish, and therefore it needs enough space to do that.  The ideal tank should be at least 4 gallons for one fish, and this will give the fish enough room to swim freely. If you plan to add another fish to the tank, you should consider getting a bigger tank so that there can be a safe distance between the fish in the tank.

The veil tail betta is not as aggressive as the other bettas, but it still has some aggressive behavior. If you pair these fish with other bettas, it will perceive them as a threat and will be somehow aggressive towards them. This fish is a carnivore in nature, and therefore most of its food should be meaty.  The most preferred food for the veil tail is live food, and they enjoy feeding on live and frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp.

The veil tail is a dominant gene, and breeding can be done with less difficulty. This betta fish is ready for breeding once it reaches the age of 6 months. These fish are not likely to mate in the presence of other bettas but to encourage breeding, and you should provide the breeding pair in their own tank. The male should be a bit larger than the female since a bigger one might be intimidating to him.  When the female is ready for mating, it changes the color slightly, and it will become a little darker.

BLUE BETTA FISH

The blue betta fish is a type of fish that lives in inland wetlands and rice paddies In southeast Asia. This fish is primarily raised for fighting and not ornamental. It looks like a species you are likely to find in the wild instead of the pet stores. This coloration provides excellent camouflage. They are docile fish unless you have kept them for fighting, and they can successfully be kept in pairs as long as there is enough space for them to roam freely. This betta fish also shows some flaring behavior, and it will do that to protect its territory from any competing ale by appearing larger.  During the courtship, it will display the same behavior but without locking the mouth or getting aggressive.

The blue betta fish does not have the showy and finage coloration like the rest of the bettas. However, it is striking on its own accord. The contrast between its brown and colored spot gives it an iridescent look. The male and female have the same body structures as the males, but the female is much drabber in color. In order to thrive, this fish will need a correct setup, and it will have a good healthy life. The goal of a keeper should be to provide an environment that is exactly the same as that of its natural habitat. If you are planning to keep one fish, then the ideal size of the tank should be at least 3-gallons. If you want to keep them in pairs, you should go for 10 –gallons tanks, and this will make the transition easy if the two successfully breed. The water in the aquarium should also be checked regularly to ensure all the conditions are right. If your fish is living in a small tank, it should be checked more often, maybe once a week, but if it is large, you can check once every two weeks.

In order for these fish to thrive, they need at least 12 hours of UV light per day, and that means before you decide on the place to keep your tank, you should put that into consideration. The blue betta fish are generally carnivores, and they feed on insects and invertebrates. While in captivity, you can feed them on freeze-dried brine shrimp or others.  They can also be fed with floating pellets and live foods such as plankton. You should always ensure that any uneaten food is removed immediately. In inbreeding, the male uses flaring behavior. When the female is ready to mate, the male creates a bubble nest at the water surface.  When the female has released eggs, the male takes them u to the protective cover of the bubble nest. The male will then fertilize them, and both will take care of the young blue bettas.

RED BETTA FISH

The red betta fish are still found in the wild of Sumatra, Malaysia, and Indonesia, where they live in inland, freshwater wetlands. In captivity, it is so easy to breed the red betta fish. They can also bring some challenges to the keepers. The water conditions of these fish are a bit different from similar species.  That can be a little difficult in finding a suitable tank mate.  These fish are different from the rest once they are docile, and they can be kept in a community tank or in pairs. Due to the fact that they have longer tails, it is crucial to keep them with other peaceful species.  When they are kept in a community tank or in pairs, they will sometimes flare at each other, but they are not as aggressive as the other species.

This fish lives up to its name with the attractive coloration it has. They are found in a wide range of colors, such as brown and scarlet red. However, this fish can change according to the living condition and its mood.  Some of the red bettas have a greenish-blue spot on their sides, but this is not necessarily an identifying feature. There is some dimorphism between the male and female, with the male being more colorful while the female has a visible egg tube. The red betta fish live in freshwater wetlands. Basically, they live in shallow water bodies that have decaying vegetation since most of the plants have high tannic acid, which creates an acidic environment.  It is therefore difficult to set up an aquarium for this fish.

You will need a 5-gallon tank to keep a pair of red betta fish, but if you want a community one, you will have to getter a bigger size, and this will depend on the capacity.  It is critical to note that the larger the tank, the less maintenance it will need. This fish lives in a warmer climate, and this means that the water temperature should be between 72 to 80 F, but during the breeding, they can tolerate higher temperatures. The red bettas are carnivores in nature, and in the wild, they mainly feed on insects and invertebrates, and in captivity, it is recommended that you provide a similar diet.  They opt for live foods such as brine shrimp. They can also feed on frozen goods, and you should always ensure that you remove any uneaten food from the tank to avoid fouling the water.  You should not be worried if you find out that your betta is not eating daily since it is normal for fresh eaters.

Just like the rest of the genus, the red bettas are paternal bubble nesters. The male takes the lead and constructs the nest and will also ensure that the eggs are in their protected area. The parental care ends after the young ones have been hatched, and therefore you should remove the male after that.

BLACK ORCHID BETTA

The black orchid betta stands out due to its bold dark coloration and large spread-out fins. This species naturally comes from Asia, where it lives in the slow-moving freshwaters of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand. In these areas, there is less oxygen, and that I why they have developed a ‘labyrinth organ’ which lets them take oxygen in the air when the gills are not getting enough oxygen from the water.  These species are not bred in some areas, and this is the reason why they are not found in most stores, and this means you will have a hard time looking for them. The lifespan of this fish will be up to 3 years if they are well-taken care and to achieve this, and you must first ensure you buy a healthy fish from the start. The black orchids are territorial, and they will fight any intruder to protect their personal space, and it is therefore recommended to keep them alone. If you pick the right tank mates, they can stay in the same community tank.

The back coloration of these bettas is what characterizes them and it is found across the body and fins, and it is accented by the iridescent blue streaks that runs across their scales. It’s easy to differentiate between a male and female since the males look majestic overall with bolder colors and more extravagant fins. These bettas prefer living in slow-moving freshwater laces like the river basins and rice paddies. When you are creating a home for your black orchid, you should be as much as possible to try to replicate its natural environment, and this will make your fish happier.  If you are keeping one black orchid, the ideal size of the tank should be 10-gallon, and if you want a community tank, you should get a bigger tank.

Having an aggressive fish like the black orchid is always going to have a compatibility problem, and this means that it is crucial to look for suitable mates so that you can avoid a lot of fighting, which can be fatal.  As a beginner, it is advisable to keep this betta in its own tank to minimize aggression. These bettas are carnivores, and this means they eat a lot of meaty food in the wild.  In captivity, it is crucial to ensure they are fed with a lot of protein in their diet, and the best way to achieve this is by giving them frozen food.  If you decide to use the pellet food or flake, you should ensure that they are supplemented. The process of breeding the black orchids can be a little difficult since you will need to condition both the male and female separately before introducing them.  To properly condition them, make sure you feed them with high-quality foods for a couple of weeks, and this should be done four times a day so as to give them the needed energy for mating.

The male builds the nesting bubble, and once the pair has courted and is ready to mate, the female will release her eggs. The male will collect all these eggs and take them to the secure nesting bubble, and will proceed to guard them until they are hatch.

PINK BETTA

The pink better are very rare and difficult to find, and you will not likely find them in your next pet store. They are found in various morphs such as veil tail, crown fish, and marble varieties. The average cost of a common betta fish is between 5 to 20 dollars, with the average cost being 10 dollars. It will be difficult to estimate the beverage cost of a pink betta since it is very rare, but it is in hundreds if not thousands. Since pink bettas are rare to find, there are several other species that are mistaken for them, but in the real sense, they are not the ones. These fish are territorial, and when you house males together, they will definitely fight each other so as to dominate.

These bettas need a 5-gallon tank to thrive best, and it is important to remember that the larger tanks need less maintenance because they will need water changes and filtration.  It is also crucial to have a secure lid since they are known to jump occasionally.

The ideal temperature for the bettas is 75 to 80 degrees F, and this means you should have a thermometer in the tank to always monitor the water and ensure the conditions remain constant. These bettas are usually awake during the day, and therefore they need natural light.  This can be achieved by placing the tank near a window, but this should not be in direct sunlight. It is recommended to use artificial lighting since it is easier to control. These bettas love plants which they use as hiding places while sleeping since it makes them feel safe and secure. The best plants to use are the live plants since they are also important to the theater in the tank, but this does not mean the fake plants are bad.

The pink bettas are carnivores, and therefore they need food that is rich in protein.  They feed on the water surface, and therefore, it is important to keep them free of plants. Pelleted betta food is the ideal food for them since they are high on protein and are formulated with everything the fish needs to thrive.  You should avoid giving them food meant for other fish since they may lack enough proteins and suffer protein deficiency. Breeding the pink bettas is not an easy thing since breeding a male and female pink betta will not result in pink offspring that often, and this explains why finding them is very difficult. This makes it difficult even for the experienced breeders to have answers to the genetics of the pink betta.  They need to be bred in a separate tank since the fry is extremely sensitive and fragile, and they require pristine water conditions.

DRAGON SCALE BETTA

This is one of the species that has been created recently. It has striking colors and unique scales that make it stand out from the rest of the species, and this has made it so popular among fish keeper who enjoys their home aquarium. The male species of the betta is very aggressive in nature, and he will keep attacking the other males of the same species.  This is why the bettas are known as the Siamese fighting fish. The male dragon scale betta is popular for its extremely aggressive nature, and it will attack any male that it perceives as a threat within its territory. Due to their aggressive behavior, it is advisable to keep the males in their own isolated tank, and this will prevent any incidents of outbursts and battles between them.  However, if it is okay to keep your dragon scale betta in the small tank with the others, it is very crucial to be very keen on choosing the mates.  He should only share the tank with the small fish, which are placid and calm naturally. If you want to know if your dragon scale is at ease, you should observe the behavior closely. If you find it swimming smooth, then it is at ease, but if it is so rapidly, then he is probably stressed and may attack.

This betta fish looks a bit different from all other varieties.  Even though the dragon scale bettas underlying body is brightly colored, the color does not appear to be striking since they are coved with a thick layer of white scales that looks like dragon armor.  That is where the name dragon scale was derived from.  They contain a darker rim around the scale edges, and this makes it more noticeable.  These fish are not so big, with a fully grown adult having a maximum length of between 2.5 to 3 inches. The female is usually smaller than the male. The bettas originate from the marshy rives of South East Asia and this being warm climate means they do not like being kept in extremely cold water. The water temperatures should be between 7 to 76 F, and you may need to buy a water heater so as to always keep the water temperature constant.

If you keep your dragon scale, betta ii cold water is more likely to get ill and will become less active due to energy loss. These bettas need plenty of space for swimming, and therefore the ideal size for one fish is the 5-gallon tank, and if the fish are sharing the tank, you need to get a bigger tank. The dragon scale bettas are carnivores in nature, and this means that they enjoy eating meat such as bloodworms, mosquito larvae, and brine shrimp.  You can also feed them on freeze-dried or frozen food. You should always feed your pet small amounts of food twice a day to avoid overfeeding it.

Breeding of this species can be a little difficult/ If you want to breed a more tropical fish that has the same features as the dragon scale betta, you need to ensure both the male and female are real dragon scale bettas with strong dominant genes.

BUTTERFLY BETTA

The butterfly betta, also known as the half-moon butterfly betta, is one of the unique varieties of betta. It is common for its spectacular coloring, which comes in a wide range of exceptionally bright colors such as red, blue, yellow, as well as some shades of orange, purple and green. This betta fish stands out due to its unique fish; just as the name suggests, it is shaped like a butterfly. The male species of this fish are known to be very aggressive, and this is a common feature of tall bettas.  If they feel like their territory is under any form of threat, they turn against any male species that is within their space.  He will attack them using their fins and tail, making them firm and stiff.  He will also try to bite any fish that is perceived as a threat within his territory.  It is important to consider giving the male butterfly bettas their own tanks to avoid these fights.

However, this does not mean that these betta fish cannot be kept in a community aquarium all you need is to be careful when choosing the tank mates. It is advisable to choose the tank mates that this species will not perceive as a threat in the territory. This fish has some of the most striking bright colors, and some of the visible colors include red, royal blue, yellow, orange, purple, and green. They also stand out due to their shimmer, which is shiny ad iridescent. The males have brighter, vibrant colors compared to the females.

Since all the bettas originate from the warm climate of South Asia, it means that the butterfly betta should not be exposed to extremely cold temperatures. It will not survive in a cold climate, and therefore you should maintain warm temperatures all through. The ideal water temperatures should not go below 70 degrees F, but the best to maintain is 75 degrees F.  This can be achieved by using a water heater, and it should always be monitored using a thermometer. The water current should be soft since it may damage the delicate fins of this species.  For a single fish, the best tank size is 5-gallon, but if you need to keep more than one, you will need a bigger tank.

The butterfly betta is a carnivore in nature, and this is why they enjoy eating meaty food such as bloodworms, mosquito larvae, and brine shrimp. The best food to feed to these species is live food, but you can also feed them on frozen meat-based food. You can also feed them with high-protein food such as flakes and pellets. You should always be careful not to overfeed your fish since they are mall and therefore need a small amount of food per day. This species reaches the maturity age at around six months.  If you try to breed a younger butterfly betta, it is likely to fail since the organ is not yet fully developed.  It is recommended that you put the breeding bettas in their own tank.  The male will only breed with a female that is smaller than him since he does not feel intimidated.

It is sometimes difficult to tell when your butterfly betta is ready to breed, but for the female, the color changes slightly by becoming slightly darker. If you find a white dot between her fins, this is an indication that she is about to lay eggs since its ovipositor is filling up, and this is the ideal moment to introduce the male.

CONCLUSION

The betta fish are small fish that do not require a large space unless when you are keeping many of them together.  Since we have learned that most bettas are aggressive, it is important to always be keen when choosing a tank mate so as to avoid fights that might be fatal.  Always ensure that, as a keeper, you maintain all the conditions for your pet to thrive.

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