How Do Betta Fish Work?

Betta fish are popular aquarium pets, but there are a few common misconceptions about these beautiful critters. Learn how these 'fighting fish' can be peaceful and more in today's episode of BrainStuff.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to brain Stuff production of iHeart Radio, Hey brain
Stuff Lauren Voga bam here with their striking, bold colors
and flashy fins. Beta fish are one of the more
popular types of fish sold for home aquariums, perhaps because, unfortunately,
there are a number of misconceptions about these creatures. The

(00:23):
truth is that they're not as hardy and easy to
care for as many believe. Beta fish, sometimes called fighting fish,
are tropical fish native to Southeast Asia. Wild beta's typically
live in rice patties and other shallow, stagnant bodies of water.
Because these wetlands routinely shrink during the dry season, betas
hop from puddled puddle trying to find a reasonably deep

(00:46):
pool where they can hang out until the rains return.
Due to these conditions, betas developed what's known as a
labyrinth organ that gives them the ability to obtain some
oxygen from the air as well as the water. The
suborder that includes bay is are sometimes called labyrinth fish
or garami. Beta's got the nickname fighting fish due to

(01:06):
their territorial nature. During the eighteen hundreds, perhaps especially in
what's now Thailand. The fish were bred for this purpose
and fights were forced for entertainment. Beta's were first introduced
to the United States in the early twentieth century. Wild
betas generally have small fins and are dull, green or
brown in color, but today's pet betas have been bred
to be quite colorful with elaborate fins. With proper care,

(01:29):
a pet beta can live for two to four years,
but before you buy one, make sure you're aware of
these five common fish tails about the beautiful beta fish.
Perhaps the most widespread myth about beta's is that they
can live in small bowls. The opposite is true. Beta
fish need a tank that's at least five gallons about
twenty leaders and ten gallons or about forty leaders is better.

(01:52):
The origin behind this persistent myth is uncertain, but it
may come from the fact that betas are often sold
in small containers and because they have some ability to
breathe out of the water. But betas can be stressed
if they're housed in close quarters, especially if they share
space with fish perceived as rivals. Small tanks mean there's
nowhere to hide. Even when housed alone or with fish

(02:15):
that they get along with, they still need hideouts to
escape to. But while the tank should be spacious, it
shouldn't be too deep, as beta's are more comfortable swimming
back and forth, not up and down. We spoke via
email with Matt Layton, a long time beta fish owner
and editor of Vivo Fish, who explained that betas should
be kept in tanks no deeper than twelve inches or

(02:36):
thirty centimeters, noting that their fins aren't that powerful. He said,
if it's too deep, the beta may not be able
to get up to the surfaces easily. It's heartbreaking to
see a beta struggling to climb and then be pulled
down to the bottom by his tail. Another myth is
that beta aquariums don't need a water heater or filter,
but betas are tropical fish that need to be kept

(02:57):
in water ranging from seventy six to eighty one degrees
fair height that's twenty four to twenty seven celsius. Unless
your home never veers hotter or colder, you'll need that heater.
A water filter is important too, even though wild betas
live in murky puddles. Without a filter, the fishes excrement
and uneaten food can make the water toxic, though be
sure to purchase a filter with a gentle flow as

(03:19):
beta's delicate fins do better in calm water, in addition
that their fins could be damaged by the section in
higher flow filters. Meanwhile, it's actually true that betas don't
mind being alone and that they tend to have issues
with other fish. If male betas are placed together or
placed with other fish that have bright colors and large fins,
their natural territorialism often prompts them to fight. However, they

(03:42):
can definitely live with other aquatic creatures, such as ghost shrimp, snails,
and African dwarf frogs. They can also live with other
species of fish, but they do best with bottom dwellers
with small fins, as they're less likely to fight over territory.
Like the coolie loach. Female betas can often live harmoniously
together given adequate space, which means at least five gallons

(04:03):
or twenty liters per fish, but always introduce the new
fish slowly and monitor them. Guides online can help you
acclimate your existing fish to the idea of a new
tank mate. Tricks like rearranging hiding spots and feeding your
current fish before adding a new one can help, but
you should always watch them carefully for a few days
and be prepared to move an aggressor to another tank

(04:25):
or another home. Another misconception is that betas can live
off of plant roots alone. While beta fish are often
sold in small vases with a plant, Betas are carnivores,
not herbivores. In the wild, they chow down on insects
and larva, so feed your pets fish pellets or flakes
specially crafted for beta's. You can supplement with high protein

(04:47):
treats such as blood worms and brine shrimp, but remember
that fish can become overweight just like any pet, so
feed in moderation, ideally only as much food as the
fish can eat within three to five minutes. Finally, don't
ex spect to beta to be a lay about. Many
people observed betas and pet stores, where they're often kept
in small containers that hinder their activity, and many owners

(05:08):
erroneously keep their beta fish in unheated water, which makes
them lethargic. But Layton says that beta fish are playful
in the proper setting. He said, I've seen them push
moss balls around, dance around their tank, display their tails,
and generally be quite active. Beta's are inquisitive and will
interact with plants toys and structures floating or sinking. Just

(05:28):
make sure they're fish safe and don't have any sharp
edges that could hurt those beautiful fans. Today's episode was
written by Melanie Red Zekie McManus and produced by Tyler Clang.
For more on this and lots of other fishy topics,
visit how stuff works dot com. Brain Stuff is a
production of iHeart Radio. For more podcasts my heart Radio,

(05:50):
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