My Sad Introduction to the Betta Myth I recall the first time I ever laid eyes on Betta splendens. Like most people, I was wandering about a local pet store and thought I’d pop through the fish section. I had not owned fish since the deaths of my tropical fish in a grossly overstocked 10g (40L) tank I owned as a kid – how I wish I had the internet to educate me then rather … [Read more...] about The Native Betta Habitat – Separating Fact from Fiction
Betta splendens
Can You Trust Your Local Fish Store Staff?
When buying our first betta, most of us ask our local fish store staff person for advice before anyone else. We believe they are the experts and rarely question the soundness of their advice. After all, if they work in a fish store they must know all about fish, right? Wrong. Sure there are amazing fish store staff out there, but they are a rare commodity. More often, the … [Read more...] about Can You Trust Your Local Fish Store Staff?
Reduce Filter Current for your Betta
Even mild filter current can become a nuisance for a betta fish who have large heavy fins and are notoriously slow swimmers compared to other small aquarium fish. It can be challenging for betta keepers to find a balance between enough current to keep the water clean and cycling, yet gentile enough to allow their betta fish to swim comfortably and eat their food without it … [Read more...] about Reduce Filter Current for your Betta
A Warning About Distilled Water and Betta Fish
Unlike tap water or spring water, distilled water has gone through a process that strips it almost completely of all minerals. Like RO water (reverse osmosis), it is essentially pure and no longer contains any of the trace elements that would be found naturally in water. Fish kept in distilled water over a period of time may show signs of lethargy or color loss. Most aquarists … [Read more...] about A Warning About Distilled Water and Betta Fish
Fin Blow Out
A “blow-out” is a term betta breeders and hobbyists use to describe a small hole or tear in the fin tissue caused by spreading or “flaring” of the fins. Torn or frayed fins can be caused by a number of things including bacterial fin rot, injury from tank décor, biting from other fish or even from a betta nipping his own fins. The term blow-out is not used when holes or tearing … [Read more...] about Fin Blow Out
Betta Fish Hammock
If you stop to watch your betta for a few minutes you will see him surface, sticking his mouth above water, to suck in air. Though they have gills, they still rely on their labyrinth organ (similar to lungs) to gain oxygen from the atmosphere. This allows them to survive in poorly oxygenated waters where other fish species would suffocate and parish. Betta fish spend much of … [Read more...] about Betta Fish Hammock
Aquarium Chemistry, Including Redox for Bettas & Other Fish
Much of this information I will provide is condensed and more basic, but comes a from a couple of very in depth and researched articles on this subject (which readers can read if they desire a more in depth understanding). I will not address the organic chemistry aspect (the Nitrogen Cycle), which involves ammonia, nitrates, etc., rather the aspects of KH, GH, pH, mineral … [Read more...] about Aquarium Chemistry, Including Redox for Bettas & Other Fish
Understanding Dominant and Recessive Genes in Betta Fish
What Are Dominant and Recessive Genes? Betta breeders are most interested in understanding and manipulating genes for either color or tail type. Understanding the various genes and traits and how they are manipulated can be complicated. One of the first things you need to understand is the difference between dominant and recessive traits and how they affect what you will get … [Read more...] about Understanding Dominant and Recessive Genes in Betta Fish
A Warning About Preventative Medicine & Aquarium Fish
I want to bring back an old article that was temporarily removed when we updated our site earlier this year. We’ve been getting a ton of emails from readers treating their bettas for all sorts of diseases. I wanted to be sure to share this information as a warning to all our readers. It’s original title, Dangers of Preventative Medicine was first published on November, 14, … [Read more...] about A Warning About Preventative Medicine & Aquarium Fish
10 Tips for Medicating Betta Fish
If you keep Betta fish long enough, eventually you will have to deal with treating an illness. Bettas are not particularly resilient fish and are susceptible to a host of common diseases from bacterial infections to viruses and parasitic infestations. Minor problems like split fins or a lost scales can typically be healed on their own. When your Betta become very sick you may … [Read more...] about 10 Tips for Medicating Betta Fish