Fighter Fish

The Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) originates from the Malay penninsula and Thailand. This fish is a member of the Anabantoid fishes which means they have an organ located behind their head which is called a labyrinth organ. The labyrinth organ is basically a rudimentary lung which allows these fish to take a mouthful of air and extract oxygen from it.

Because of this ability the fighters are in a uniqe position to survive in quite poor water conditions. This does not mean however that you should keep them in anything less than the best conditions you can provide. Give the fish a fifty percent water change once a week if it is being kept in a small volume of water.

The hardness level of Geelong’s tap water is quite suitable for these fish, so all that is required is that you boil, and then allow the water that you are using to cool back to room temperature. This removes the chlorine from the water, Tri-start® or any other de-chlorinator will also do this.

The Fighters are found in slow streams, rice paddies and even in the flooded footprints of water buffalo and other heavy animals.

Fighters prefer to have quiet and relatively confined areas to inhabit as they are not a very sociable animal.

Keeping the fighters is relatively easy, as all that is required to house them is a small bowl or tank. Being a tropical fish however, they do need to be kept warm and sheilded from draughts which may chill their water. Most houses which are a comfortable temperature all year round should be suitable, but try to keep the fish in the warmest room of the house.

Fighting fish come in many bright colours but the most common colours are reds and blues. The best foods for fighters are live black worm and brine shrimp, and there are also some dry foods which the fish will accept. Feeding the fish is a simple matter of of giving them 3 - 5 blackworms a day.

The fighters are a fairly shortlived fish though, with a ripe old age for a fighter being around eighteen months to two years