magnificent siamese fighting fish
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The Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens), also
known as the "betta fish" or just "betta", is one of the most
popular species of freshwater aquarium fish. It is native to
the rice paddies of Thailand and Cambodia and called pla-
kad or trey krem ("Fighting Fish") in its native
[Khmer/Thai]. Because these fish are descendants of the
wild betta fish which live in oxygen-poor environments,
Siamese fighting fish are capable of living in smaller
containers than most aquarium fish, without the filters and
aerators that other aquarium fish require.
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Although bettas are known for
their brilliant colours 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;
Super delta; and Half-moon)
have been developed
through selective breeding.
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Male and female Bettas flare or
"puff out" their gill covers (opercula)
in order to appear more impressive,
either to intimidate other rivals or as an act of courtship.
Females and males will display horizontal bars
(unless they are too light a colour for this to show)
if stressed or frightened.
Females often flare their gills at other females,
especially when setting up a pecking order.
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Flirting fish behave similarly, with vertical instead of
horizontal stripes indicating a willingness and
readiness to breed (females only). Bettas sometimes
require a place to hide, even in the absence of
threats. Bettas may set up a territory cantered on a
plant or rocky alcove, sometimes becoming highly
possessive of it and aggressive toward trespassing
rivals.
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On average, males are more
aggressive, though individual females
demonstrate a wide range in level of
aggression. Bettas will even respond
aggressively to their own reflections in a
mirror;
use of a mirror avoids the risk of physical damage inherent in
actual conflict. Bettas, like other fish, may respond to the
presence of humans and become trained
to respond to feeding cues
(such as a hand placed over the water's surface).
They are quite curious and will watch humans
going about their business nearby.
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They enjoy having in their tanks plants, natural or
artificial, that almost reach the surface of the water
so they may rest upon the plants and raise their
heads slightly for a sip of air; when the plant leaves
do reach the surface, they are useful for males to
base their bubble nests on.
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Two or more Males: Male betta splendens do not fight to
the death in the wild; when one fish has won the fight, the
loser retreats to safety. In an aquarium, however, there is
no retreat, so the victor fish continues attacking the
loser, often resulting in the loser's death;
therefore, hobbyists rarely house two male B. splendens
in the same tank unless they are (a) separated by a
partition; or(b) they are from the same batch of eggs and
are immature;
Because of the aggressive
nature of the Betta splendens species,
tank-mates
must be carefully chosen:
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A Male and a Female: In the wild, females stay clear of
males, except during mating.
When cohabiting in tanks, males might kill females,
and are generally kept apart unless
(a) they are juvenile siblings,
(b) they are breeding, or
(c) there is a partition.
Often, before breeding, breeders use a partitioned
container to allow female
display without risking harm by the male.
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