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| Siamese Fighting Fish | ||||||||||||||
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Betta splendens | ||||||||||||||
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| Betta splendens Regan, 1910 |
The Siamese Fighting Fish (Betta splendens) is currently regarded as a member of the Osphronemidae family of fish. It was previously placed in the family Anabantidae, and it possesses the labyrinth organ characteristic of that family. This is located just behind the head and it is a small chamber with many folds covered in tissue with many blood vessels that allow it to breath atmospheric air.
This is useful in the oxygen poor waters where it lives, and it is so dependant upon it that a Betta splendens will die if it cannot reach the water surface to breathe. The males build small bubble nests for their fry, and raise them without assistance from the female. They defend nest sites from other males extremely aggressively.
The natural coloration of B. splendens is a dull green and brown. In Asian countries they have long been used in a sport similar to cockfighting, where it was necessary to have aggressive short-finned fish. But today, by selective breeding, it is not uncommon to see males with an array of colors and tails. B. splendens are bred for tail shapes ranging from the common veil-tail to the much-desired 180ยบ 'half-moon' tails, while still showing a stunning array of colors: marbled, cambodian, butterfly, and chocolate are just a few examples.
Both instinctive and learned behaviours of B. splendens have been studied in considerable detail. Its characteristic aggressive responses are readily elicited by its own reflection in a mirror placed outside an aquarium. The capacity to turn aggressive behaviour on and off in this way, without putting the subject at the risk of physical damage inherent in staging an actual aggressive conflict, made the fish a popular subject of study by ethologists and comparative psychologists interested in studying aggression. There was a stream of research on the fish's aggressive behaviour from the 1970s, though this has reduced lately, partly because of new approaches to studying aggression arising out of sociobiology, and partly because it was realised that, even if no tissue damage was done, repeatedly eliciting aggressive responses in the fish might be a source of stress. Interesting results were obtained, however; for example was shown that the presentation of such an aggression-eliciting stimulus will act as an unconditional stimulus in classical conditioning, and as a reinforcer in operant conditioning. It is as if the fish finds the opportunity to attack another fish rewarding.
Because of their beautiful colours and fin shapes, Betta splendens are popular aquarium fish.
A minimum tank size of 1 gallon is recommended, if it will be kept in a warm room. A larger tank of 5 gallons will allow use of a heater, to maintain a temperature of about 80 F. The floor of the tank should have a thin (1/4", 5mm) layer of gravel to increase the surface area for nitrifying bacteria to colonize. Decorations can provide hiding places, especially important when two males are housed in a divided tank, or when the betta is living in a community tank. Every decoration must be free of rough areas or sharp points which can damage the delicate fins of the betta--for this reason, silk rather than plastic plants are recommended. Live plants will improve the water quality.
In Canada and the United States, B. splendens are sometimes sold in a vase with a plant, and the erroneous claim that the fish can feed on the roots of the plant. Bettas are carnivorous, and an appropriate food must be provided. When kept in a small container such as a vase, frequent water changes are necessary and the container must be kept in a warm room. A larger tank with a heater will provide better living conditions. Wherever the betta is kept, water must be treated with an appropriate water conditioner before use.
Aquababies miniaquaria are another unsuitable set-up marketed in the United States. As well as being far too small, the instructions enclosed with the set incorrectly suggest using bottled water (without a suitable water conditioner).
Because of the betta's aggressive nature, tankmates must be chosen carefully, and two male B. splendens should not be housed in the same tank unless they are separated by a dividing wall. Females may or may not be able to coexist peacefully in the same tank depending on their temperaments. Before co-housing bettas with other species, their compatibility should be carefully researched, and the owner should have a back-up plan if the shared tank does not work.
As with other fish, water conditioner must be used to treat all water added to the tank. Ammonia and nitrite levels should be monitored regularly, especially when the tank is first set up, and partial water changes performed to keep ammonia and nitrite levels to zero. In an established tank, partial water changes of 10-20% are usually performed once a week.
Bettas are carnivorous. They may be fed with commercially available betta pellets, or with live foods such as bloodworms and brine shrimp.
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