Betta fish - What would you like to know?

Shallow, tropical water is Betta fish's natural habitat. This is because they need to surface frequently in order to breathe air. they can be found in fresh water ponds, slow moving streams, rice paddies and drainage ditches. Betta fish have also been know to thrive in large puddles. Their natural food source are insects and mosquite larvae. Today Betta breeding is popular and if you decide to buy a Betta fish it will definately not come from a large. murky puddle.

Historical accounts tell us that a friend fo the King of Sian, Dr. Theodore Cantor received a pair of breeding Bettas from the king in 1840. The doctor wrote a scientific paper on them, giving them the name of "Macropodus Pugnax" after breeding and studying them for several years. To his surprise, shortly after the paper was published he discovered that a species by that name aldready exsited so the fish were renamed "Betta Splendens"

It is known that several breeding pairs were sent to Germany in 1896. then in 1910 Frank Lock from San Francisco imported several Bettas to the USA. He noticed that one of the fish that he received had unusual red fins and he excitedly thought he had discovered and new species and named it "Betta Cambodia". The fact is he got one of the first Betta splendens that had naturally developed new colors and characteristics through Betta breeding.

Breeders have since then been able to develop Bettas with all of the vibrant coloring an varied fin shapes that we see today. Betta breeding is very profitable and an ongoing passion for many people. Some of those breeders started wiht just one or two Bettas in a small aquarium.

If you want to enter the aquatic species ownership realm the Betta fish is a good choice since it it relatively inexpensive. This is because these fish are are descendants of a wild beta fish that live in oxygen-poor enviroments. Betta fish or Siamese fighting fish can live in smaller containers than most aquarium fish and without the filters and aerators that most other aquarium fish require but you will need a heater to keep the temperature steady. You can expect to pay somewhere between 3-8 dollar pr. fish.

Get help selecting the perfect Betta for you at BettaFishBreeding.info

If you have decided to buy your first Betta fish here is how you do it.

1. Research the internet for a good place to buy you Betta fish. It is best to buy from a know breeder that is trusted and has good reputation. I would not recommend that you visit your local pet store for the fish. It's more likely you will have health and decease problems if you do.

2. Remember that Betta fish cannot be in a tank with another Betta fish since they will attack each other. If you want more than one then onsider sperading them in your home. The lady Betta fish can live in a community tank with other types of fish, they don't have the same lively colors as the male but they are still beautiful and fun to watch.

3. Discuss with the breeder what kind of tank you should get for the Beta fish. I he does not sell you all the supplies you need then visir your local pet store. The Betta fish can live in a small tank but i would recommend that you go for at least 2 gallon tank (preferably 5gallon - 20 liter) as it will make the living conditions of the fish better and decrease the risk of deseace or health problems. You can decorate it with rocks, trees, treasure chest or other ornaments the shop is selling. Betta's are very comfortable in small areas so make sure you are able to make the tank intimate. You have to buy a heater to keep the water temperature steady at 78-80 degrees. Don´t forget to buy Betta fish food and I also recommend that you buy a "stress coat" to add to the water. That will ease the transition of your Betta fish.

4. When you are back home, add water to your Betta fish tank, but DON'T LET THE BETTA IN YET. You have to wait until the water is at room temperature before putting the betta fish in his enviroment. You also have to maker sure that you add water from the bowl (or bag) the Betta fish came in to it's new tank. Remember that proper Betta fish care can safe you a lot of trouble.

For more detailed informatino on setting up the correct enviroment for your Betta fish you should visit BettaFishBreeding.info