To keep your Betta healthy they require good clean warm water. Betta’s like water temperatures to be kept between 25-30 Degrees Celsius. Below these temperatures will affect their immune systems making them susceptible to diseases.

1. Siamese Fighting Fish – ‘Betta’
The Siamese Fighting Fish is a very popular fish due to its vibrant colours and large flowing
fins. They have been developed into the following varieties Veil tail, Delta and Halfmoon.
Also referred to as ‘Betta’ fish – this is taken from the
genus derived from ikan bettah, taken from a local dialect
of Malay.
The wild ancestors of this fish are native to the rice
paddies and swamp areas of Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia
and Vietnam. They are found in the slow moving waters
that the rice paddies offer where there are plenty of
meaty foods and lots of hiding places.
In captivity they are not always easy to keep. If cared for in the right conditions they will live
up to 5 years.
In the wild, Betta’s spar (fight) for only a few minutes before one fish backs off. Bred in
captivity specifically for fighting, domesticated Betta matches can go on for much longer,
with winners determined by a willingness to continue fighting. Once one fish retreats, the
match is over.
The King of Siam started licensing and collecting these fighting fish. In 1840, he gave some of
his prized fish to a man who, in turn, gave them to Dr. Theodor Cantor, a medical scientist.
Nine years later, Dr. Cantor wrote an article describing them under the name Macropodus
pugnax. In 1909 the ichthyologist Charles Tate Regan renamed the domesticated Siamese
fighting fish Betta splendens.
Betta Veil tail are the most common seen in retail stores. They have extended fin lengths
and non-symmetrical tails with the caudal fin rays usually only split once.
Betta Delta tail is one where the tail spreads less than half that of a half-moon and the tail
has sharp edges.
Betta Half Moon has a "D" shaped caudal fin that forms a 180 degree angle. The edges of
the tail are crisp and straight.
To keep your Betta healthy they require good clean warm water. Betta’s like water
temperatures to be kept between 25-30 Degrees Celsius. Below these temperatures will
affect their immune systems making them susceptible to diseases.
Betta fish have an organ known as the labyrinth organ which allows them to breathe air at
the water's surface. This doesn’t mean that you need not maintain good water quality as
sometimes stated on forums. This is a misconception as poor water quality makes all
tropical fish, including Betta more susceptible to diseases such as fin rot and other diseases.

2. It is best to keep your Betta in a tank of no less than 20 litres but 40 litres would be better.
You will often see them kept in less space than this in shops but this is only temporary and
they do need space for long term survival.
As Betta prefer slow moving waters in their natural
environment, ensure the water flow from your filter
isn’t fast. In an aquarium they still like slow moving
water flows. This does cause problems with filtration
so it is important to ensure regular cleaning and water
changes take place to keep water quality at the best
level for your Betta.
Betta will flare or puff out their gills in order to appear more impressive, to intimidate
others or in an act of courtship. If stressed or frightened they will show horizontal bars. If
females display vertical bars, this indicates a readiness to breed
Betta’s are carnivores – they like meat! They like a high protein diet so a mixture of specially
formulated Betta food and frozen food is essential. They do have small appetites however,
so don’t be tempted to over feed – there is only one in a tank remember! Feeding correctly
will ensure that your Betta maintains a healthy immune system and will live for a long time.
To mimic their natural environment, Betta’s do like places to hide. They like softer places to
hide such as live or artificial plants rather than rocks. Without places to hide your Betta will
stress and this will increase their risk of disease.
Betta can be kept with other fish, but not other male Betta fish or other fish with flowing
fins such as Guppies, Angel Fish, Mollies. Other colourful fish should be treated with caution
too such as Swordtails. They are naturally defensive towards their territory and will fight
other fish to defend their space.
You also have to be careful that other fish will not nip your Betta. If your Betta has nipped or
shredded fins then they may get an infection which will cause stress or worse death.
Keeping Betta fish just takes a little bit of pre-planning and care. Ensure there is enough
space, water flow is low and tank mates are appropriate. With these in mind, you should be
able to enjoy having a Siamese Fighting Fish in your tank, adding vibrancy and colour, for
many years.