Beta fish or Siamese Fighting fish as they are commonly called are one of the most popular cultured fish. The popularity of these fish are two fold; they are simply one of the most beautiful fish you can keep and they are relatively easy to care for.
Betas are a freshwater fish and are unique in that they are as vibrant and colorful as their salt water or marine cousins. Most freshwater fish are a bit dull compared to the saltwater aquarium fish. Not so with Beta fish. Some might argue that they are one of the most striking fish of all.
The other unique characteristic of Beta fish is that they don't require the same upkeep as most aquarium fish. This is because of the labrynth organ that allows Betas to breath oxygen from the air. That's right, these fish receive oxygen from the waters surface and as such they do not need all the filters and equipment common to most aquariums. In fact the Beta can survive in nothing more than a bowl of water.
Having said that, do not subject your Beta to such a life though. It is not uncommon to see Betas stuck in a lilly vase on a store shelf. This is simply cruel and will eventually kill the poor fish. Aside from fouling the water, the plant cuts off the available oxygen supply as it occupies a good portion of the water surface. Betas need as much surface area as possible in order to acquire oxygen. The ideal conditions for a Beta is a reasonable sized tank or bowl that allows plenty of room for swimming. The water should be kept clean clean and tested frequently for ammonia and nitrite build up.
Your male Beta can be housed with other fish (check a compatability chart first) but not with other male Betas as they will fight, sometimes to the death. If you house female Betas with a male be sure to provide plenty of space and include hiding areas for the females. Plants work as acceptable hiding places. All in all, most people keep Betas in a tank by themselves to avoid stressing the fish as well as reducing the amount of chemicals and agents that are present in aquariums that house different species.
If you must put two male betas in the same tank then use a divider or seperate containers to keep the fish apart. You should prevent them from seeing each other as well as this will cause both males to flare at each other incesantly. Flaring is a delight to watch and makes for excellent photos but excessive flaring will eventually stress the males out which can lead to illnesses.
In summation, if you decide to purchase a Beta then please do a little research and do not leave the fish in the bowl or vase the store sold it to you in. This fish is relatively easy to care for but you will have to make some effort to make it happy and keep it healthy.
If you need information on how to feed your Beta, treating diseases or breeding your fish there are plenty of sites that deal with these topics. Always do your research and avoid problems before they become problems.
You can find more info on Beta fish at; Beta Fish
