Picture courtesy of Ryan McGuire
WARNING: Photographs of lovely betta fish proven inside. You could wish to purchase all varieties after seeing this.
For those who’ve been following our articles about betta fish and the way they breathe air and blow bubbles, then you’ll have picked up on the truth that there are a number of forms of bettas. For those who haven’t seen the earlier articles, you could find them right here:
Did You Know That Betta Fish Breathe Air?
Have You Seen Your Betta Fish Blowing Bubbles? This is What It is Actually Doing
These articles cowl some betta fundamentals. However this text takes a have a look at variations in betta fish varieties. So should you’re making an attempt to resolve what sort of betta fish to begin with, otherwise you wish to add a brand new betta to your assortment, then preserve studying.
What are the widespread betta species?
In most freshwater fish shops, you’re going to search out one (or each) of two species:
- Betta splendens
- Betta imbellis
The 2 are related, however B. splendens is the preferred betta, referred to as the Siamese combating betta. B. imbellis just isn’t as well-liked within the fishkeeping world, and it is called the peaceable betta.
What are the variations between the betta species?
You could have guessed from the names that the 2 generally saved betta species have totally different personalities from each other. Preventing bettas are typically extremely territorial and aggressive, particularly the males. Due to this, fishkeepers who wish to preserve bettas typically should isolate them in their very own tanks relatively than making them a part of an aquarium group.
Peaceable betta, then again, doesn’t show such sturdy aggressive traits. Due to this, it might be simpler to maintain a tank of a number of peaceable bettas and different fish collectively.
That being stated, the title “peaceable” betta could also be a bit deceiving. Betta keepers ought to understand that each species are related, and even the peaceable betta will turn out to be aggressive whether it is defending a bubble nest. Nonetheless, they’re milder and have smaller tails, which preserve them from antagonizing different fish species within the tank (the combating betta’s massive tail attracts fish that may nibble it, scary an assault).
Basically although, Betta imbellis may be saved as a group species with different B. imbellis. This is usually a large bonus for keepers who love the fantastic thing about bettas however wish to preserve a number of fish with out the price of a number of tanks.
Preventing bettas and peaceable bettas additionally look barely totally different from one another, however it may be tough to acknowledge them by look as a result of combating bettas, themselves, are available in a wide range of breeds that each one have totally different colours and tail shapes.
Check out these photographs that each one signify numerous Betta splendens:
As you may see, combating bettas come not solely in lots of colours, but additionally many tail configurations and dimensions. So how do you acknowledge a peaceable betta by look?
One of the simplest ways is to take a look at the tail. The peaceable betta can be referred to as the crescent betta as a result of its tail is printed in a pink crescent, like these:
Peaceable bettas aren’t as well-liked of pets but, however they’re nice tank mates for different freshwater fish.
Need to be taught extra in regards to the combating betta variations? Watch The Tye-Dyed Iguana weblog for extra betta fish info.
