| In Thailand, where they originate, Betta Splendens | | | | (which is not ideal) make sure you regularly |
| (Siamese Fighting Fish) are often housed in small | | | | change at least 30% of your Betta's water on a |
| glass jars. In fact there is a tradition of giving | | | | bi-wekly basis. You might also wish to treat your |
| such jars, complete with a solitary fighting fish, as | | | | water with a preparation such as Ocean Nutrition |
| gifts. | | | | Atisons Betta Spa, which has proved beneficial to |
| The argument for providing such little space for | | | | fighting fish. |
| these fish lies in their original habitat. Wild Betta's | | | | Remember also that Betta's thrive in |
| often live in shallow pools or ditches and they | | | | temperatures of around 26 degrees centigrade, |
| breathe from the surface of the water. They are | | | | so supplementary heating is almost certainly a |
| also often quite lazy fish who appear happy to | | | | given in keeping these fiestey fish. |
| languish in water without moving about that much | | | | Feed your Betta sparingly twice a day a varied |
| (unless they see another fighter!). | | | | diet with occasional live food as a treat. Brine |
| In my experience whilst Betta's can survive in | | | | shrimp and frozen bloodworms along with |
| such conditions they certainly won't thrive in them. | | | | proprietary Betta food makes a good choice. |
| You could probably live for a long time in a single | | | | Remember, you Betta's stomach is about the size |
| room, but would you be happy to? | | | | of his eye so little and often is the key. |
| If you must keep a Betta in a bowl, make sure | | | | Keeping fighting fish in a vase is generally not a |
| you leave a two inch gap at the top and cover | | | | good idea. Enjoy your fighting fish, but always |
| with muslin (assuming you have no lid) as Betta's | | | | remember the welfare of any pet is an important |
| can, and will, jump right out given the chance. | | | | responsibility. |
| If you are not going to provide any filtration | | | | |