Choosing a pet can be difficult. Some people want a loyal companion in a dog, who is always there by their side, jumping up in joy to greet them. Others might prefer a cat, which would mewl in pleasure while being petted. Some want bird as pets, which they can hear chirp all day long.

Some would want fish as pets. While you are pondering over what fish to get, this will give you more insight about Fighting fish, a very popular pet fish. You have probably noticed that in all houses that you have seen them, fighting fish are almost always kept single, without another fighting fish. Why is that? Read on, and you will know soon.

Name: Fighting fish is what we always hear people saying, but their actual names are Siamese fighting fish. Fighting fish is such an ominous name isn’t it? The name in itself reveals an important characteristic of these fish. They definitely don’t bow down from a fight and are well known for their aggressive tendencies. Another name, by which the Siamese fighting fish is referred to, is Betta. It is derived from its scientific name.

Size: While they sound very ferocious, they do not grow to have very large bodies. The typical size of an adult fighting fish is 3 inches (7 cms). So you do not have to be worried about getting very large tanks for these fish. The minimum tank size which you could resort to is 2 gallons.

Appeal: Fighting fish may be known for their aggressiveness, but more of that later. A very appealing feature for these fish is the radiant colours they are found in. The fighting fish are found in various hues and are resplendent with their long fins that flow from their body. Needless to say, fighting fish is one of those fish that always look beautiful. If you enjoy watching fish swimming, watching a beautiful fish is just going to add to the charm. However the female fish are not as attractive as their male counterparts. So if beauty is important in your check list, buy the male fish.

Behaviour: There is a reason why male fighting fish are usually kept alone and not house with other males. While these fish are very attractive due to their distinct colours, they are renowned for their fighting tendencies. The male fish are extremely territorial and do not take well to other males being introduced to them. In fact they would most often immediately engage in a fight that would end up in one of the fish retreating. In extreme cases, the fight may end because one of the fighters dies during the spar. So, the recommended choice would be to get one male fighting fish and several females, which are not as aggressive as the males.

Sometimes, male fighting fish have been found attacking their own reflection on the tank walls. That is how aggressive they are. You could place the male fighting fish in a tank with other fish belonging to different species, and which are more placid. If there are other fish which physically resemble a male fighter, there might still be a tussle, which you would want to avoid.

Bubble Nest:  You might wonder how the young fighting fish are born, if the males are just fighting all the time. It is only in captivity the fights become very intense. In the wild, the fights do not last very long as the loser will retreat. The male fighting fish builds a bubble nest while mating with the female fish.

They will protect the eggs till they are hatched, after the female has laid all of them. The bubble nest provides a protective layer for the eggs, and helps the males to ensure that the eggs do not stray away. The female might eat the eggs once laid, so the male fighting fish protect their young till they are born. Just imagine, the males who were fighting tooth and nail a while ago, now become vigilantes of their young ones.

Betta matches: Heard of cock fights? It is not something new and most certainly a form of animal cruelty. People place bets over their choice and the fights commence with a lot of squawking and feather loss. Cocks are not the only creatures forced to fight each other, fighting fish have also been bred for fights. The Siamese fighting fish originated in Thailand and was popular due to the fights that were organized between the male fish along with the betting. These fights continue even today, where fighting fish are bred in captivity to increase their aggression. The main goal is to raise champions who will last long in fights, as the fish which retreats first is deemed the loser.

Fighting fish are incredibly fascinating. They are an excellent combination of beauty and power. It is hard to imagine so much of aggression in such a small package, but the Betta fish do deliver!

Walk into that pet store and get yourself a fighting fish. If you think fish are the right pets for you, then the Siamese fighting fish is an excellent choice.

Don’t wait too long to be dazzled by its beauty!

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