Data sheet emerald fighting fish
German name:
Emerald Fighting Fish
Scientific name:
Betta emeraldina
Origin:
Asia
Size:
Up to 7cm
Aquarium
Length:
Length from 60 cm width
Contents:
from 54 liters
water values
Temperature:
26°-28° C
pH:
6.0 – 7.9
GH:
8° – 15° dH
CH:
below 4 °dKH
Behave
Area:
middle / top
Lining:
Harem attitude, males react aggressively to each other
Behave:
peaceful (with 1 male)
Number:
one male with several females
Life expectancy:
4 years
Suitable for shrimp?
Jein – offspring will be eaten
Difficulty level:
Beginner —Acapella 09:31, 31 December 2006 (UTC), Betta smaragdina pair1, CC BY-SA 3.0
The emerald fighting fish, Betta smaragdina, originating from Asia, is one of the fighting fish that can be found most frequently in aquariums thanks to its magnificent colours. The male animals are particularly creative when building the foam nests. They build their nests not only on the water surface, but on coconut shells or clay pots. Male emerald fighting fish live up to their name. They react extremely aggressively to each other and are therefore used in Thailand for competitions.
gender differences
Females and males cannot be distinguished by color. Both have the same beautiful, intense coloring. Both female and male emerald fighting fish have one olive-brown or reddish-brown ground colour.
It is characteristic that each individual scale has a emerald green to aquamarine stain has. This impressive coloration is also clearly visible on the dorsal and caudal fins.
However, males and females are easy to tell apart. have male fish longer fins and the females are at the during the spawning season horizontal stripes clearly distinguishable from the males.
breed
A special tank, which does not have to be too deep, is prepared for breeding emerald fighting fish. It must be very tight with aquarium plants be planted, also some floating plants should be present. The dense planting offers protection for the females and at the same time is a good place for the foam nest.
However, the densest planting is not sufficient in most cases. In order for the male to erect a foam nest, it is necessary to invert clay pots or halved coconut shells be present in the tank.
To start, it is best to isolate the female emerald betta in a jar. The glass jar should float in the breeding tank. The male fish starts a foam nest erect, and to present itself again and again to the female by spreading its fins.
Once the nest is complete, the time has come to present the now sufficiently stimulated female to the male. As with all other bettas, emerald bettas coil themselves when mating and slowly roll around in the water.
Males and females head to the foam nest and both the eggs and semen are released. The eggs are heavier than water and sink to the bottom. The male fish breaks free from the embrace and catches the sinking eggs with his mouth up and carefully transports them to the nest.
After spawning, the female is immediately removed from the breeding tank. If the female emerald betta is left in the tank, the male may pick her up nest defense kills. The male is responsible for guarding the eggs until the larvae hatch.
rearing
The larvae hatch after one to three days under the constant supervision and care of the male fighting fish.
After a few days, the yolk sac is consumed and the fish begin to swim. Now males are also being moved out of the rearing tank. The young fish are with dust lining or fed with boiled and finely pureed egg yolk. Later the offspring will come along Artemia nauplii fed.
socialization
Emerald Betta like to be kept in community tanks, although they tend to be in the art tank sure to feel more comfortable. The tail fin of the male fish in particular is a great temptation for other aquarium inhabitants. The fish will harass the often slow-swimming emerald betta and bite its fin.
The emerald betta suffers from this and often begins to refuse food. At the same time, due to the injured fin, the fish can bacterial or fungal infections get sick and in the worst case die.
The situation is somewhat different with the female emerald fighting fish. If there are other peaceful fish in the tank, there are usually no problems or fights. If the housemates attack, the females defend themselves and are quickly left alone.
Two male fish in the aquarium will inevitably start fighting, to the death. Unless the male emerald fighting fish share a tank as young fish, then peaceful coexistence is quite possible.
Other questions
How does the emerald fighting fish breathe?
Emerald bettas have a labyrinthine organ that allows them to absorb atmospheric oxygen.
Can the emerald betta change its intensely bright color?
If the emerald fighting fish are startled, their color will change. The body turns very light brown, the fins appear transparent and dark longitudinal bands are visible on the sides of the body.