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Today, millions of people across the globe have Betta fish as pets. And why not, with their vibrant colors, flowing beautiful fins, and unique personalities, it isn't hard to understand why these pets appeal to so many people. However, despite their popularity, many people don't even know that much about the pet they have. While knowing how to care for a pet is of the utmost importance, it is also key that you understand where your pet is coming from.

To start off, Bettas are small fish that were originally bred as "fighting fish" in eastern Asia. Oddly enough, the pets that many people keep today however don't even resemble their ancestors. Because these fish were bred for fighting, no one really cared about their colorings and most fish were gray or a dull brown. They had short and stubby fins and generally were bred for aggression and size, as these were favored attributes for fighting. However, as time went on, a few samples of the Betta species made it to America for research purposes. While it is unknown exactly when it happened, some of the scientists decided the fish might make good pets, and they started breeding for the visually appealing properties we find beneficial today. As time went on, the fish began to resemble their present day incarnation, and became more and more popular as the pets we see today!

Unlike many fish, Bettas actually have a labyrinth organ, which allows them to breath from the surface of the water, in addition to traditional gills, meaning they can breathe two different ways. However, it is still important that your Betta can't jump out of his tank because the labyrinth organ must be moist to function (this prevents them from staying out of water very long, but they can survive short exposure to a dry environment).

As Bettas lived in a specific environment in the wild (the vast ponds of rice paddies) and with a narrow temperature range, new owners to Betta fish care can have trouble properly replicating the environment. Bettas thrive in temperatures between 76 and 80 degrees, and prefer to be left in a consistent and non-stressful environment to live out their lives. However, this is not to say they are boring pets, as most Betta keepers can attest to the playful and varied personalities that Betta fish develop. For example, my current Betta loves jumping out of the water to grab food off of my finger, and he follows me around on the side of the tank closest to me if I'm working at my desk or even just around the house.

As much as Bettas enjoy consistency in living conditions, they do enjoy variance in stimuli available to them. Bettas like to explore and learn new things, so be sure to change out or at least move around your tank decorations to keep things fresh and interesting.

Hope this article taught you a new thing or two about Betta fish care, and be sure to grab our free Betta care guide!

Source: http://www.caringforbettafish.org/5/post/2011/06/betta-fish-basics-know-your-pet.html

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