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INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CARE OF BETTA'S
(PRONOUNCED BET-TA)
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AKA "SIAMESE FIGHTING FISH"
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by

Neil Adams






These fish live in the rice paddies of South East Asia. They can live in very shallow water with no oxygen because they are able to breath atmospheric air. They have a organ behind their head called a "labyrinth" that allows this.


CONTAINER
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They can be kept in as small as a mayonnaise jar and as large as you would like. Only one male per container because these fish will fight and females also have been known to be territorial.


TEMPERATURE
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These fish are from a tropical climate. They should be kept at 68-84 degrees without major temperature changes. Their water should not vary more than two degrees in a 24 hour period.


FOOD
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freeze dried blood worms tropical fish flake food frozen adult brine shrimp There are many other things that they will eat as well, including live foods that will give better overall results. If live food is used it should be supplemented with a vegetable flake food to avoid blockages.

They now are being raised on blood worms. I would suggest that they continue to be fed blood worms at first. Then slowly wean them to flake food with occasional blood worm feedings. Blood worms are 50% protein which is too high for a healthy fish diet. They are being fed just this because they are young and need the protein to grow but when they have slowed or stopped growing this protein would become fat and cause poor fish health. Blood worms can be fed occasionally but not as a "only food" to an adult fish. A variety of food should be used in rotation; how would you like to only eat one thing for the rest of your life.

They should be fed two times a day about as much as they will eat in five minutes. If over fed they will not be able to eat it and it will fowl the water faster, requiring more frequent water changes.


WATER CHANGES
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Depends on the size of the container. When the water looks dirty, it should be changed. A jar has to be changed about two times a week. Water right from the tap should NEVER be used. Before changing let the water age and become the same temperature as that that you are changing from.

If they are being kept in a jar it is alright to pour them out (this will not harm them). First try and pour just the water with the waste out and leave the fish in the jar. Then pour them into another jar that has the aged water (24 hours or more).


LOCATION
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They should be placed in a spot that does not get direct sunlight or on an appliance that generates heat (television,cable box,stereo etc..). The location should have a stable temperature of 68-84 or a fish tank heater that would provide this could be used.




page created and maintained by me, Linda Owens. betta_barracks@hotmail.com
all artwork copywrited to me and reproduceable only with my permision.