Common Name: Siamese Fighting Fish; Bettas
Scientific Name: Betta Splendens
Family: Belontiidae
Order: Labyrinthici
Sub-Order: Anabantoidei
Genus: Betta
Species: Splendens
Category: Anabantoids

Origin: Cambodia; Siam; Thailand
Natural Habitat: Rice paddies

Temperament: Peaceful - Aggressive
pH: 6.8 – 7.4
Temperature: 75 – 86 F or 24 – 30 C
Size: 2 – 3 inches or 5 cm – 7 cm
Minimum Tank Size: 1 Gallon
Lifespan: 1 – 3+ years
Diet: Live foods; frozen foods; freeze-dried foods; flakes; pellets
Care Difficulty: Moderate

Sexing: Females have a ovipostor, or white dot, between the ventrals and anal fin area. Also, females tend to be more plump and have short fins.

Spawning: First, condition the pair for 2 weeks. Meaning, seperate the two individuals from any other fish, and feed them very nutritious food. After conditioning, release male into the spawning tank so that he gets used to the surroundings. Then, place female in a jar, and place the jar in the spawning tank. The male and female will flare at each other for a while. Eventually, the male will start building a bubblenest, though some may not yet. When the female starts to reveal dark vertical stripes on her body, and perform a head down dance, you may release her. The male should induce the female over to his bubblenest. He will then embrace her and squeeze out the eggs. After an embrace, the male will go down to the bottom of the tank to pick up the eggs in his mouth and shoot them into the bubblenest. During this time the female may be paralyzed and look dead, but she isn't; so don't freak out. They will continue to embrace until there are no more eggs within the female. That's when you should remove her from the spawning tank. The eggs will be cared for by the male.

Colors and Varieties: Bettas come in many colors ranging from Opaque White to Copper, but the most common colors you will see are Cambodians, Blue-greens, Turquoises, and Pastels. They also come in many different finnages ranging from Crowntails to Halfmoon Tails, but the most common finnage you will find are Veiltails.

Comments: I have kept betta splendens, males and females alike, for 2-3 years and they have great personalities. Unlike male bettas, youcan keep females together in the same tank. That is called a sorority, or sisterhood. When creating a sorority, you should have three or more females so that they will establish a peck order, or hierarchy. With only two females, both will want to be the boss of the tank or that will result in endless fights between them or maybe enough death. Even in a sorority, there is an exception. Some females cannot AND will not tolerate any other fish, and may cause problems. So, you will have to take her out.

That is a lovely female betta.

Is that one of yours? great picture

Does she live by herself or in a sorority? What size?

Yup. Both those females are mine. They live together in a 10 gallon sorority with 3 other girls. The tank is planted with lots of hiding places so don't worry. ;)

nice bettas!!