Scientific Name: Betta splendens

Synonyms: None.

Common Names: Crown tail, Halfmoon, Plakat, Halfmoon Plakat, Delta, Super Delta, and Veiltail

Origin: Cambodia, Thailand

Family: Belontiidae

Species Type: labyrinth fish

Maximum Size: 3 inches

Life Span: 2-3 years

Natural Habitat: Thailand

Diet: Prefers lives food (brine shrimp, bloodworms) but will eat flake food and pellets

Temperature: 75°-86° F

PH: 6.0-8.0

Minimum Tank Size: May be kept in volumes as littles as 1 gallon. However, larger tanks are preferable.

Tank Region: All. However, labyrinth fish breath air through the labyrinth organ and must have direct access to air through open water at the surface.

Temperament: Two males can not be kept together as they will fight to the death. They may be with most other small peaceful and semi-aggressive fish as long as the other fish do not have long, flowing fins and are not likely to nip at the betta's fins. Females can be kept together but only in groups of five or more, two or three kept together invariably fight.

Possible Tank Mates: Swordtails, red tail sharks, cory cats, small rasboras and tetras.

Filtration and Setup: A betta kept by itself in a smaller tank should have a sponge filter to avoid excees current caused by a HOB filter. In a larger community tank (20 gallons or more, a HOB filter may be used due to the larger swimming volume. The betta may avoid excess current. Live or fake plants should be added for cover

Coloration: Bettas come in a large variety of colors, patterns and fin shapes. They can be marble, they can be butterfly pattern (start in a solid color then fade to white), dragon pattern (body scales are white) and many other solid colors. Fin varieties include combtail, crown tail and veiltail. The varieties available are beyond the ability of this article to cover; or those interested, further reserach is suggested through betta-oriented resources.

Breeding: Breeding bettas is difficult. First you need a male and a confirmed female. Females usually have short fins, but some males are short finned (plakats). The surest way to tell is egg spots on or near the front of the abdomen. Once a pair is obtained, place the female near the tank that the male is in, or place her in the tank with the male with the two separated by a divider. This will stimulate the male to build a bubble nest. The spawning tank should be at 78° to 82° and should be set up with floating plants to help stabilize the bubble nest. A completed bubble nest will be approximately 3 inches long and 1/2 to 3/4 inches thick. Once the bubble nest is completed and being maintained, the female may be introduced. Initially, watch the pair closely. If the male is beating on the female too much or vice versa take the female out. Try again at a later date, after maintaining the female within the male's sight for a period of several days. If the couple breeds, the male will wrap around the female and squeeze the eggs from her, then he will retrieve the eggs and spit them into the bubble nest. The female will remain near motionless until they are ready to wrap again. Once spawning is complete, remove the female without disturbing the bubble nest. The male will maintain the nest and catch and replace eggs that fall until the eggs hatch, after approximately 48 hours. Once the eggs hatch, the male will continue to tend the fry and keep them in the nest until they are free swimming. Once the fry are free swimming, the male may be removed and the fry may be fed baby brine shrimp or micro worms.

Comments: The genetics of Betta splendens are among the best known and most studied of any domesticated animal.