The Care of a Beta Fish: AKA Siamese Fighting Fish and Why Would You Want One Anyway?

I was in a pet store a few months ago and on impulse bought a beta fish. I find them so fascinating that I thought I'd share Mr. Lucky with you. I brought Mr. Lucky home in a tiny container with water. The girl in the pet store told me to feed him 3 pellets once a day but when I got home and looked at the instructions they told me to feed him 3 to 4 pellets a day. I followed the bottles instructions and he is happy and healthy.

He is in a vase as you can see with a bamboo shoot and glass rock. I cleaned both the shoot and the rocks really well before putting them in his vase. I was told that when I clean his vase to use either tap water that has sat out to reach room temperature or spring water. We use spring water for Mr. Lucky.

Mr. Lucky is a male. The males are larger than the females and much more colorful. It was evident in the pet store which ones were which. In addition I paid $6.99 for the male and the females are $2.99.

So what are these fascinating fish that can only be by themselves?

Beta fish also known as the Siamese fighting fish is actually one of the most popular fish in aquariums. They are native to Thailand which might be the reason I think that they gained popularity. If you have had a manicure in the last couple of years you may have seen a beta in a vase like mine except much more beautiful and ornate. In the rice paddies of Thailand they are called biting fish.

They are really popular because they are so easy to take care of. They can live in a smaller container than other fish and they do not need filters or any other accessories.

I mentioned that the males were more colorful. In fact bettas' are nicknamed the jewel of the Orient. The colors are due to selective breeding. They come in a variety of colors, such as red, blue, turquoise, orange, yellow, white, and green. Mr. Lucky is an iridescent blue and really quite beautiful. Although you may now see females that are very colorful it is because breeders are trying to do so because that is what people want. Still their fins are nothing like Mr. Lucky's is.

One reason that Beta fish are often alone is because you have to be really careful of what you mix them with. They will eat very small fish and goldfish for example. We had a large tank once upon a time and had a Beta in it very successfully but when we bought one at a time we always told the person who was helping us the other kinds of fish we had.

Beta fish aren't as active as other fish but I think they are great for kids because they are responsive. Mr. Lucky watches as I take out his food!