Welcome
Welcome to my page about the Siamese fighting fish, Betta splendens . Here I have collected information that may be useful both to me and to other people who keep bettas in aquariums.
Image from Wikimedia Commons
Bettas in the aquarium
In the wild, Siamese fighting fish live in shallow ponds, floodplains and rice paddies in Southeast Asia. They have a long history as ornamental fish. People also traditionally staged fights by placing two males together in a small container. Their intelligence, complex social behaviour and care of their young now fascinate aquarists around the world.
Selective breeding has produced numerous forms, including halfmoon, crowntail and double tail. Exceptional specimens can sell for hundreds of euros. The most common form, the veiltail, is available from many aquarium shops for less than €10. Other forms are also becoming increasingly common in the trade.
About the website
Some of the content is specifically about bettas, while other topics cover aquarium keeping more generally. The website serves as my personal reference for things I might otherwise forget, but I hope it is also useful to other aquarists, from beginners to experienced keepers.