Freshwater Aquariums by David Alderton

Author:David Alderton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: i5 Publishing
Published: 2004-09-21T16:00:00+00:00

Betta splendens

Distribution: Southeast Asia

Length: 3in (7.5cm)

Food: Prepared foods and small live foods

Temperament: Males are highly aggressive toward each other

Water temperature: 75-82°F (24-28°C)

A magnificent male betta. Small live foods are very useful in conditioning these fish for breeding purposes.

Paradise fish

These attractive anabantoids may have been introduced to Europe as far back as the 1600s. Fish of similar appearance are described by the English diarist Samuel Pepys. Several color variants have since been documented, including a blue form. Although often considered to be tropical fish, they are actually quite hardy, and so they could have been kept satisfactorily in that era.

Male paradise fish in particular are very attractive, and can be easily recognized by their brighter coloration and longer fins. They are highly territorial as well, and so should be kept on the basis of a single male per tank. Unfortunately, males are also very determined when breeding, and can pursue females relentlessly, often coming into condition before their would-be mates. As a result of the constant harassment, the female may lose condition, and so their aquarium needs to be well planted, to offer her some retreats where she can escape from her would-be partner’s attentions.

It is possible to condition paradise fish to breed without too much difficulty, simply by raising the water temperature gradually in the aquarium to the upper limit of the range, and increasing the amount of live food such as whiteworm in their diet at the same time. The male will build a bubblenest in the spawning tank, and here, the female can lay as many as 500 eggs.

PARADISE FISH

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