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Why Bettas Are So Popular
Betta fish, also known as Fighting Fish, Siamese Fighting Fish and, to Latin language enthusiasts
as Bettas Splendens, are quite possibly the most popular fish kept in America today.
Its no surprise, really. They're beautiful, easy to care for, and even good company -
a betta fish will rise up in its bowl and wiggle its fins at you to be fed every time
you come into its room.
Many betta keepers maintain their fish have personalities, and my own experience
supports that. For anyone who wants a pretty fish that needs the least possible maintenance,
the best choice is a betta fish.
Even goldfish require more care than betta fish. Goldfish need filters, which are optional
for bettas, but they don't necessarily need heaters, which are usually needed for bettas.
Goldfish tend to be messy, and uproot their planted decorations, while betta fish are
much less boisterous. Of course, goldfish aren't as territorial as bettas, so you can
keep more than one in a large bowl or aquarium. That's not an option with bettas (unless you've got a community tank and
only want to keep females).
Colorful
Betta fish come in a rainbow of colors. Red and blue are the most common, but you can
usually get white, yellow and bi-colored fish at any pet store. If you go to a site
like AquaBid or to a breeder with a website,
or to a betta fish show, you can find black
bettas, gold and metallic tone bettas, iridescents, purple, brown, and even purple bettas.
In addition to colors available, bettas are bred with many different fin shapes.
In additional to the traditional "veil tails", "half moon" bettas have tails that
extend to a full half circle when flared. "Crown bettas" have spiky looking fins -
they have been bred so the rays or spokes that support their fins extend out beyond the
fin webbing, creating the spiky look.
There are also delta tail bettas, plakat bettas and wild bettas. Usually the only pet
store that sells these exotic strains of bettas is Petco. There are some strains being
bred giant sized known as "king bettas", which are also occasionally available at Petcos.
Active & Responsive
Betta fish are not meant to be the lethargic things you've seen sitting in so many tiny
neglected bowls. A healthy betta is on the move much of the time, and will flash its
fins at you, make bubble nests, and assertively beg for food. It may take occasional
naps at the bottom of its bowl, but that doesn't take up even a third of its time.
Healthy bettas are active and fun to watch. Only sick bettas stay on the bottom of their bowls.
Easy To Care For
Fish keeping doesn't get much easier than bettas. For a snapshot of what it will take
to keep your betta happy and healthy, see our somewhat sarcastic article,
How to Kill Your Betta Fish,
and do the opposite of what's suggested there. For a longer discussion that will give
you a much deeper understanding of your fish's needs - and how to setup and maintain a
community tank, stay tuned for our soon to be published betta fish care book.
Get our top tips for betta fish care
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