Betta, or Siamese Fighting Fish - a Great Fish for Beginners

If you are new to the fish keeping hobby, and do not want much hassle, consider the Betta, or Siamese Fighting Fish. They are incredibly beautiful, easy to care for and can be very active fish.

About the Betta or Siamese Fighting Fish

Betta fish are both beautiful and interesting. The male of the species is most often sold in pet stores, as his fins are much longer and showier than his female counterpart. The male Betta has extremely long and flowing fins. They come in a very wide variety of colors from white to purple, red and pink.

Choosing a Betta

If you visit pet shops, chances are that you have seen the Siamese Fighting Fish displayed in tiny little bowls. They are easily recognizable by their long and flowing fins.

If you are going to buy one, look for one which is fairly active. In fact, the Betta fish is very aggressive and if two males are in bowls next to each other, they may ram against the glass and try to fight.

You will want to make sure that the fish has bright color and bright eyes. Check around his gills and make sure there is no inflammation or discoloration. This might be a sign of disease.

You should also take a look around the pet shop and make sure that the rest of the fish tanks and bowls look clean and well tended. If you see a lot of dead fish, you may want to purchase elsewhere.

Care for Your new Siamese Fighting Fish

Betta fish are very easy to care for. There has been a trend in recent years to sell them in glass vases with Peace Lilies on the top. It is said that the Siamese Fighting Fish can survive by eating the roots of the plants and that you don't have to change the water.

However, this is not true. Leaving your new Betta fish in a bowl with no food and stagnant, non-changing water is a sure way to kill him.

The best place to keep a Siamese Fighting Fish or Betta fish is in a bowl or small fish tank. They do not need anything fancy. Your Betta will do just fine in a bowl, but may really thrive in a small aquarium with some water filtration.

Water Changes