Q&A for How to Take Care of a Siamese Fighting Fish

Your betta fish will have clear eyes and its fins won't be tethered. It will also be actively eating.

Switch the food. Avoid flakes; there are pellets made especially for bettas.

You can make a guess depending on its size. Generally when you get them from the store they are 6-8 months old.

Not necessarily, but it has been reported that bettas enjoy seeing their owners. You can just look at it and talk to it, or feed it by hand. Give them some plants and decorations to make sure they don't get bored.

The males have longer tails than the females, although if you're getting your fish from a breeder, they should be able to tell you for sure. If you're buying your fish from a store, it should say whether they're male or female on the container.

He might have fin rot or be biting his fins. These are both sometimes caused by stress. I suggest you get some Bettafix, as this would be helpful in either case.

Nope. If it's a twin tail betta of some kind, that's normal. If they are not a twin tail betta, then they might have cut their fin on a sharp item in the tank, but since you said "split," as in a full split, it is most likely just a twin tail.

No, its optional.

In captivity, they will normally live for about 3 - 5 years with the proper maintenance and home.

As long as it holds more than 2 gallons of water, you should be fine.

It takes 36-72 hours, depending on water temperature. You must keep the lights on all the time so the male betta can see the falling eggs and fry and pick them back up to their nest.

A well-lit room is best, but make sure that your fish aren't exposed to any harsh, direct light; this could stress them out.

If your fish is sleeping, it will be breathing. Dead fish just float on the top without moving.

The male and female will find a safe area and she will lay her eggs. The male will then fertilize them by releasing his sperm into the water around the eggs. Then, as long as they are safe and well-fed, they will take turns guarding the eggs from other fish until the eggs hatch and you have little baby fish.

Yes, as long as you give them plenty of space to live in and a hideaway and aqua plants to hide in just in case there's any aggression.

It will usually say on the bottle. Mine says about a capful per 5 U.S. gallons. It all depends on the brand since some are more concentrated than others.

Your betta may be fighting with your other fish because it is not compatible with that fish. Only certain fish can be housed with betta fish, and they must be given the appropriate amount of space. If the other fish seems lethargic or scared, you may want to remove the betta fish and place him/her in their own separate tank.

Yes, betta will jump out of the water, so cover the top of the tank. Usually a tank comes with a lid. If your fish do jump out, they will die unless you recover them quickly.

Betta splendens (Siamese fighting fish) usually live for 3-5 years, but if you take care of them well and their genes are good, then they can live to around 7 years.

It depends on which ones you want to buy and where you buy them. They can be 10 dollars or 30 dollars. It really depends on your tank size and the type of filter/heater. Most of them are pretty affordable though so it shouldn't be a problem.

Most people find the standard size to be 5 gallons minimum. Some people keep them in 2.5 gallons successfully, but 5 gallons is the recommended tank size.

They can. However, it is not healthy for them. Instead, try frozen bloodworms or brine shrimp.

Possibly old age or an illness such as graphite disease. It depends on what you mean by gray, like a light, faint gray, or a metal/silver colored gray.

Live foods, such as live baby brine shrimp. And egg yolk from time to time.

Yes, the minimum size tank for a betta is 2.5 gallons. 5 + gallons is better though.

That sounds like plenty more than enough. If you are feeding pellets or flakes, just feed a around 3-4. For pellets, a good rule is 3 pellets in the morning, 3 at night. For foods like bloodworms, just feed a few too. 4-6 pieces.

The water should be heated to 72-80 degrees. A small water heater for a 5 gallon tank is perfect, like a 25 w heater.

Yes, they do. Get a small heater and a water thermometer, they need the water temperature from 72-80 degrees.

Yes. As long as the betta “couple" will go along, things will surely run smoothly.

Yes, as long as you don’t leave the mirror near her too long. Otherwise, she may become stressed.