eHow launches Android app: Get the best of eHow on the go.
Indoor fountains can make a wonderful focal point for a home, room, shop, business or workspace. Many fountains come in a single color or shade, yet the carvings, depth or details can be quite exquisite. There are simple ways to add customization and self-expression to indoor fountains, helping to transform them from a basic fountain... more »
Beta fish are beautiful companion fish often kept as a pet in the United States. Their meager requirements make them an excellent choice for a child's bedroom, bathroom decoration or even an office desk. Also known as a Siamese fighting fish, the male beta is the most popular of the sexes with its flowing tail and multicolor options. more »
Betta fish are a fun, easy to take care of pet that the whole family can enjoy. This How To article explains how to set up a betta fish tank and then care for it. more »
Betta fish have become some of the most popular domestic fish in the world. Their long, flowing fins and beautiful color make them a lovely addition to any home or office. Unlike some other fish, the size of the tank does not directly coincide with a betta's size. The more important element of betta size is overall health and... more »
Betta fish are popular for their beautiful colors and their easy maintenance. The betta can live for as long as four years and is inexpensive to take care of. Bettas are often called Siamese Fighting Fish because they can’t live together without fighting. For this reason, keep only one betta at a time in a tank. more »
Keeping a fish on your desk is great way to create a calming affect for you. Anytime you are stressed or work is getting to you, all you need to... more »
The Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens), also known as the betta (particularly in the US) and simply as the fighter, is a popular species of freshwater aquarium fish. The name of the genus is derived from ikan bettah, taken from a local dialect of Thailand."fishbase"> Betta is ."ahd"> The wild ancestors of this fish are native to the rice paddies of Thailand and Cambodia and are called pla-kad or trey krem ("Fighting Fish") in Thai.
Description
B. splendens usually grow to an overall length of about , though some varieties reach in length. In recent years breeders have been able to create "giant bettas" that exceed due to the manipulation of a mutant gene. Although known for their brilliant colors and large, flowing fins, the natural coloration of B. splendens is a dull green and brown, and the fins of wild specimens are relatively short. However, brilliantly colored and longer finned varieties (i.e. Veiltail; Delta; Superdelta; and Halfmoon) have been developed through selective breeding.
The fish is a member of the gourami family (family Osphronemidae) of order Perciformes, but was formerly classified among the Anabantidae. Although there are nearly 50 other members of the betta genus, B. splendens is the most popular species among aquarium hobbyists, particularly in the United States.
Diet
Siamese fighting fish have upturned mouths and are primarily carnivorous surface feeders. In the wild, they feed on zooplankton and the larvae of mosquitoes and other insects, such as flies, crickets, or grasshoppers. Fish which feed on wider ranges of foods live longer, have richer colors, and heal fin damage more quickly. Typically, commercial betta pellets are a combination of mashed shrimp meal, fish meal, brine shrimp, bloodworms, and vitamins. These fish will also eat live or frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp or daphnia.
Reproduction and nests
The Siamese fighting fish mate in a fashion that is called "nuptial embrace", in read more at » http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siamese+fighting+fish
Connect with people who share your interest by joining one of our Groups:
How to Choose Bridal Shoes That Fit Your Style
How to Make Fingerprint Powder
Gecko Lizard Varieties & Types
How to Get Fired Gracefully
How to Stop a Shopaholic
How to Drive Defensively During the Holidays
Wonders of the World
Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. en-US Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License.
