The Siamese fighting fish, also known as Betta fish, is well known for its elegant and colourful tails. Let’s Take a complete look at wild betta fish.
Their attractive colouring has made them popular in the fishing and aquarium community. They are known for their territorial and fighting nature. In the wild, they live in standing waters, often in rice paddies, floodplains, or canals. In the wild, they are less territorial due to the large space they live in – they will only spar, not fight to the death. Their usual lifespan is 2-5 years. They also have the ability to breathe directly from the water surface, as they are labyrinth fish. Bettas are carnivores, feeding primarily on insects and insect larvae in the wild. They thrive on protein-based frozen, pellet, and flake foods in aquariums.
Does The Habitat Of Wild Betta Fish Is Different From Others?
Betta Splendens; commonly known as Betta Fish or Siamese Fighting Fish, is a two to three inches long omnivore that lives on arable land and freshwater areas such as watersheds, stagnant ponds, and marshes.
Its natural environment is about three feet square. The areas in which betta fish live are relatively shallow and thick with vegetation. The streams are slow-moving and can easily evaporate in the dry season. Wild betta fish live for an average of two years. However, in captivity, with the right care, a betta fish can live up to 10 years.
Due to the fact that Betta fish originated from Southeast Asia, precisely Thailand and close countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Laos, they prefer warm water around 80º Fahrenheit.
This is because colder water can cause them to stop eating, become torpid, and more prone to diseases or infection. Betta fish in their natural habitat do not grow as large and as well as their other siblings that are kept in pet stores or home environments because of the temperature and improper feeding.
Betta fishes are diurnal, which means they are more active during the day – just like humans and many common domestic animals. Because their usual habitats are extremely low in oxygen, bettas have evolved to breathe air at the surface of the water.
This ability develops over time: the hatchlings rely on their gills, but the adults gulp air and capture the oxygen from it using something called a labyrinth organ, which is attached to the gills and functions similarly to a human lung.
The Siamese Fighting Fish are rarely seen in a natural environment in recent times. But the name Wild Betta means that some of these species of Betta fish can still be found in the wild even though they are commonly sold from a pet store or breeder.
They are now popular pets found all around the world due to their beauty and colourful nature. The Betta fish are now largely sold in Pet shops, discount superstores, florists, and even websites. The fish are then forced to live in microscopic cups, tiny basins, and even flower vases.
Many people who store, sell or buy these fish do not have sufficient knowledge about proper betta fish care, which is not as easy and flimsy as they think it to be.
Pet Siamese fighting fish do not cost much to care for. They do not need much space, heaters, filters, or pumps. But people continue to store these animals in tiny, inadequate containers when they are actually supposed to be kept in a large ( but not so large) habitat for the purpose of moving freely.
Generally speaking, tanks, an abundance of food supplies, and the absence of stress have a positive impact on the growth and health of the betta fish. The fact that their natural habitats are being destroyed and polluted more often does not help the species. This is why they are mostly found in home environments and not in their natural habitat.
So What Do Wild Betta Eat?
Wild bettas are not just gorgeous fishes; they’re also carnivores! This means they feed on small invertebrates and insects such as freshwater worms, larvae, zooplanktons, mosquitoes, etc.
Wild bettas start off their life cycle by feeding off of their yolk sack for a few days. After that, they immediately learn to swim and start hunting. Betta fish mostly swim in the surface layers of their water habitat. This is where they hunt for food mostly and also have access to the eggs of adult insects, especially mosquitoes.
Some wild betta food include;
Zooplanktons
These are aquatic invertebrate organisms that range from extremely tiny to large species. They are found in salt and fresh water and feed on phytoplankton and serve as food for other fishes, including wild bettas.
Mosquitoes larvae
Mosquitoes are very common in tropical areas. The wild betta habitat is also a conducive environment for mosquitoes to lay their eggs. When female mosquitoes begin to lay their eggs, bettas usually have a lot to feast on. They may also eat the mosquitoes themselves if they swim too close to the water.
Flies
Wild bettas hunt for food in the surface layer of the water. Flies that fly dangerously close to the surface water may end up as a meal for a betta.
Crustaceans
These diverse species of invertebrate sea animals include crabs, lobsters, krill, shrimp, Daphnia, etc. Wild bettas will also eat these as food so long as they’re small and digestible.
Are Wild Betta Fish Rare
To answer this simply, YES. Wild bettas are rare! However, it is important to know that wild bettas also consist of different species. Therefore, some wild bettas are rarer than others. Although if by rare, you mean the total number of wild bettas in the sea, then they are definitely not rare since they currently exist in thousands. Some wild betta species are more easily acquired than others, such as the Betta picta (the spotted Betta) and Betta pugnax. These Betta species are not flashy and more on the plain size. They’re also easy to acquire and, as a result, are always in demand.
Betta macrostoma, also known as Brunei beauty, is a very rare and beautiful betta. Originally thought to be extinct for more than 50 years until it was rediscovered in 1981. Ever since then, it has been highly sought after and is also quite expensive.
Betta hendra is another rare wild betta that is highly intelligent and known for its beautiful blue-green shine and red bars.
The Mahachai fighter called betta mahachaiensis is another rare wild betta known for its beautiful coloration.
The rarity of wild bettas also depends on whether they are an endangered species like the Mahachai fighter or the Brunei beauty, which disappeared for over 50 years.
Are Wild Betta Fish Aggressive?
Wild bettas are not aggressive towards humans. However, they can be aggressive towards other fishes. Wild bettas are docile fishes. However, they can get territorial with other fishes.
Wild bettas have been popularly known as the Siamese fighting fish for ages. This is due to the history of the people of Siam using them for a sparring game. Wild bettas are a loner fish. They tend to keep to themselves until necessary.
When their territory is encroached on, the male bettas will always make a show of dominance and strength when another male betta is within its territory.
The bettas will fully flare their finnage and spread their gills to look threatening. They would also make threatening lunges to scare their opponent. This will continue until one of the male’s retreats and will rarely lead to the death of one of the fish.
They tend to avoid an actual fight due to the risk of injury it poses to both parties. Betta splendens are the most popular species of bettas and they’re known for their beauty and feisty aggressiveness.
Wild bettas display dominance and strength when in competition for females, protecting their territory, fighting for food, and protecting their offspring. However, female wild bettas are less aggressive than male ones. They mostly fight for food or their personal space and are more tolerant toward other female bettas.
The Basic Difference In Wild Betta Vs Domestic Betta
Despite being the same species, wild and domestic Betta are two different kinds of fish due to the many traits uncommon between them.
Some areas in which wild and domestic bettas differ are;
Body size
The body size of the bettas is one of the most indicative differences between the two types of bettas. This is because size is determined by diet and habitat. Wild bettas hunt for insects, zooplanktons, and larvae; they also eat their food fresh.
Domestic bettas have a diet of protein-rich pellets, freeze-dried and frozen foods. Wild bettas are found in their natural habitats of freshwater ponds, canals, etc. While domestic Bettas are selectively bred in a controlled aquarium. These factors can affect how big the Betta can grow.
Especially if it’s being kept in a small tank which might stress it, or if it’s underfed.
Behaviour
Bettas are certainly known for their feisty behaviour. Behaviour patterns of wild and domestic bettas vary. Wild bettas have been shown to be more aggressive towards humans than domestic bettas.
Domestic bettas have shown their curious nature when approached by humans. Domestic bettas are also more aggressive towards other fishes than wild bettas. This is because they have been specifically bred to be more beautiful and aggressive.
Colour
Domestic bettas are far more colourful than wild bettas. This is because they’ve been bred specifically to look beautiful. Wild bettas also have unique colours. How’s, their colours are brightest when they’re being threatening or while reproducing. Although domestic bettas are very colourful, their shine can dull due to stress, lack of nutrients, and a small tank.
Body Shape And Features
Wild bettas have more muscle and fat, which they need to survive in the harsh conditions of the wild. This gives them a rounder look than domestic bettas. Wild bettas also have long tails, which helps them to swim, whereas domestic bettas do not have long tails.
Personality
Domestic bettas have shown to have a nicer personality while relating with humans than wild bettas do. This has been proven due to the close relations they have with humans while being trained whereas wild bettas have different parental training and grew up in the wild.
CONCLUSION
From this thoughtful read, one can deduce that bettas adapt quickly to their environments wherever it may be. A wild betta that is used to eating live feed can adapt to eating pellets and flakes after a little while.
If you’re looking to get a wild betta fish, then it’s important to make it as comfortable as possible. Wild bettas need to be cared for in a unique way. Some tips to ensure their comfort are;
● A tank of at least 15 gallons.
● Adding plants and a variety of leaves to your tank to enable your Betta to have a hiding space.
● Wild betta fish are also known to be very territorial; therefore, keeping two wild betta males in one tank is never a good idea. Forcing them to be in each other’s space will lead to a constant show of dominance and possibly a fight. This will only stress your Betta more than anything.
Leave a Reply