Siamese fighting fish anatomy
CT = Crowntail
DeT = Deltatail
SD = Super delta
HM = Halfmoon
HMx= Halfmoon (not 180 degree)
OHM = Over Halfmoon
VT = Veiltail
PK = Plakat
Tail types (cadual fin)
DT = Double tail
SPT = Spadetail
ST = Single Tail
Patterns Read more »
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Platinum/gray super delta male betta
Betta, Bleeker, 1850, is a genus of freshwater fish in the gourami family (Osphronemidae), found predominantly in Southeast Asia. The type species is the spotted betta (B. picta), but the best-known species is the Siamese fighting fish (B. splendens). Many Betta species are well-suited as aquarium specimens.
Until recently, Betta was a member of the anabantid (Anabantidae) family, and many older references continue to use that classification.
The term “betta” is used as a common name for species of the genus, but it often refers specifically to B. splendens. The first syllable of the name is formally pronounced as the word bet, not bait; even though the name has no connection to the Greek letter beta, it is commonly pronounced as the Greek letter, to the consternation of purists. Read more »
Question posted by Dave: Will siamese fighters get along with any other species in the same tank?
I can’t give you an experts advice as to what fish siamese fighters get along with, but I have seen them together with other fish many times. As long as the fish are equal in size there shouldn’t be any problems. Female fighters can be kept in the same tank, given enough room and some time to get used to each other. Male fighters have to be kept seperate from other male or female fighters.
A better description (from VickiPS, Ipswish, QLD)
Individual bettas vary in temperament, and a very aggressive male may not tolerate tank mates, but generally a single male betta will get along in a community tank with other non-aggressive species that aren’t (a) nippy (and likely to be tempted to nibble on a betta’s fins) (b) either too slow, too active or too timid, and (c) fancy-finned (and therefore likely to provoke the same reaction as another male betta). Other labyrinth fish species are best avoided, too.
It limits choices a bit, but corydoras are usually compatible, as are many of the non-aggressive tetra species (eg. neons, diamond tetras). Harlequin rasboras and pacific blue-eyes are other possibilities. I’ve had a male betta sharing a tank with 3 albino corys and a bunch of neon tetras for nearly a year, with few problems.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Male (veiltail) Siamese fighting fish
The Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) is one of the most popular species of freshwater aquarium fish. It is a member of the gourami family (family Osphronemidae) of order Perciformes, but was formerly classified among the Anabantidae. It is native to the Mekong basin in Southeast Asia.
The natural colouration of B. splendens is a dull green and brown, and the fins of wild specimens are relatively short; brilliantly-coloured and longer-finned varieties have, however, been developed by breeders (see In the aquarium, below.)
In the wild, the Siamese fighting fish inhabits standing or slow-moving water, including floodplains and rice paddys, at temperatures of 24–30°C (75–86°F). Carnivorous, it feeds on zooplankton and mosquito and other insect larvae. Read more »
The 4-, 8- and 16-ray description refers to the number of terminal branches of each individual ray. If the caudal (tail) rays divide (split, branch), then divide again, you’ve got 4-ray splitting (1rayx2×2=4): if they divide 3 times, 8 rays (1×2x2×2): 4 times, 16 rays (1×2x2×2x2) and so on.
Thanks to Vicky for this description!
Generally people say two years, but I’ve also heard of fighting fish living closer to nine years.
The fish you get from your local fish shop might live less than this as they are already at least six months when you get them.
Question posted by Darren.
Fighting fish are ready to spawn when they’re about 4-6 months old, depending on the way they’ve been raised. Breeding is a big topic on it’s own, but basically once the eggs are fertilised they hatch within 24-48 hours and the tiny babies (fry) grow to adulthood in about 4 months (given good conditions).
(Several chapters of the breeding process are in the making and will be released in the articles section shortly. Keep tuned!)
Generally you can tell if your fish is a male by its long fins. Females have shorter fins, usually not as good colors and always a small white dot sticking out on their belly. 
There are short finned males (Plakats) that can be mistaken for females and has to be distinguished with the white dot.