Betta halfmoon fish | care in captivity

Although bettas are quite aggressive with different fish, before humans they behave shyly and flee frequently. This is why it is important to have dark places and caves where they can feel safe.

The crescent betta fish or halfmoon is a wonderful variant of the Siamese fighting fish. It is characterized by exhibiting a beautiful fan-shaped tail that surrounds its back almost 180 degrees. In addition, it has bright and diverse colors that catch the eye of anyone.

Although betta fish are known to be easy to care for, they require certain requirements to stay healthy. It is true that they are quite resistant organisms, but you should not fall into the mistake of offering them a poor environment with little attention. Keep reading this space and learn how to take good care of your betta halfmoon fish.

Origin of bettas

Betta fish (Betta splendens) are native to Asia, where they used to be found within the stagnant waters of rice crops. These environments are characterized by containing little oxygen, a large amount of vegetation and too much organic matter. Living in these areas for a long time, they adapted and transformed into the hardy species it is today.

According to the New York Times, the domestication of these fish took place 1000 years ago. However, the first objective of their upbringing was not to be used as ornamentation, but for the display of fights. This is why bettas are so aggressive and it is not possible to have them with other specimens in the same aquarium.

Characteristics of the species

The betta halfmoon fish have an average size of 6 centimeters in length. They have two long pectoral fins that are shaped like a veil, a dorsal fin that starts in the middle of their body and an anal fin that covers almost their entire belly. In addition, it has a characteristic caudal fin that has a fan appearance and unfolds with colorful colors.

This betta can feature an incredible variety of bright and eye-catching colors. Although monochromatic (a single color) are usually the most common, rainbows or those of combined colors are more popular. Of course, they are a little more difficult to find due to the complexity that exists to obtain a particular tone.

Male specimens usually have more vibrant colors than females. However, during its upbringing the intensity of the tones in the body can change, as it fluctuates according to the time of year or due to stressful conditions. The latter allows to use the appearance of the individual to identify a possible pathology.

Behaviour

As mentioned above, betta fish are very well known for the aggressiveness of their behavior. Both sexes are equally problematic within the aquarium, but males tend to be a little more conflicted. For this reason, it is usually recommended to keep these specimens separate and preferably only 1 per tank. Otherwise, they could cause severe injuries to their peers.

Tank preparation

Betta fish need a minimum tank of 25 liters to have a good quality of life. This applies to a single individual, because keeping more specimens means risking conflicts with fatal results. In addition, the interior of the aquarium should contain rocks, plants, caves and various decorations. This allows dark sites to be created that make them feel safe and reduce their stress.

Remember that maintaining good water quality is essential for the life of the fish, since any change in the liquid could cause death. Therefore, it is important to have a thermometer, a filter and a water pump to help monitor these parameters.

Water parameters

Water conditions that are ideal for betta fish can be easily achieved. In fact, they have incredible resistance to different parameters of the liquid, but it is not recommended to exceed the following limits:

• Temperature: optimal from 24 to 28 degrees Celsius (resists 14-34 degrees Celsius).
• pH: optimal of 7 (resists between 6 and 8).
• Hardness: maximum of 300 parts per million (just under 20 degrees dH-Deutsche Härte).

Aquarium cycling

Aquarium cycling or also called tank maturation, is the process with which bacteria are established that recycle fish waste. This mechanism is essential when maintaining an aquarium, as it stabilizes the parameters of the water and prevents the specimens from harming their health.

This process is performed when the tank is first installed or has been discontinued for a long time. To cycle the aquarium should only be allowed to work with all its attachments, in addition to adding a little fish feed. With this, bacteria will begin to form that benefit the habitat.

The only sure way to know if an aquarium is ready to receive fish is through commercial tests. These tests measure the concentration of nitrates and nitrites, which function as indicative of the presence of bacteria. Cycling is complete when nitrite measurements are 0 and nitrates are greater than 0.

Acclimatization of the fish

New fish must go through an acclimatization process to adapt to their new home. To do this, it goes through two phases: the regulation of temperature and the combination of water. During the first, the container is used where it is delivered to the specimen and floats inside the tank for at least 15 minutes. This will allow the temperature of both to equalize and thus avoid a possible thermal shock.

In the second phase you need to be patient and careful, because you will proceed to mix the water contained in the fish with that of the tank. To do this, add small amounts of liquid from the aquarium to the container every 5 minutes. Before the container is filled you must remove the excess and repeat the previous process. With this, the parameters of both liquids are equalized and the fish will begin to adapt.

The process should take you around 45 minutes in total. At the end of this time, the fish will be ready to be released into its new habitat. Acclimatizing the specimens reduces the stress they suffer when changing homes. In this way, their health is taken care of and they are less likely to contract any illness during their first days with you.

Feeding

Bettas are carnivores that usually feed on a wide variety of arthropods. Therefore, one of the best recommendations for their diet is to offer them live food in conjunction with dehydrated food. The combination of both gives them all the necessary nutrients and also encourages their activity. However, keep in mind that one serving a day is more than enough for its development.

Tank cleaning

Although you have the filter installed in the aquarium of betta fish, it is also necessary to perform a small maintenance. To do this, you only need to vacuum the bottom of the tank at least once a week and carry out the water replacement. The latter means that you must remove 25% of the liquid and replace it at that moment.

Remember that tap water usually contains chlorine that is harmful to fish, so you need to add an "anti-chlorine" product before using it. Check the conditions and parameters of the tank on a daily basis to make sure that everything is fine. If you follow the tips above, rest assured that your new betta halfmoon fish will remain in top condition.

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