Dive into the fascinating world of Betta fish with our comprehensive glossary. We’ve curated a detailed list to help enthusiasts and beginners alike understand the various types of Betta fish, their diseases, and care requirements. Explore the table below to kickstart your Betta-keeping journey, and stay tuned as we delve deeper into ensuring a healthy and vibrant environment for your aquatic companions.
Betta Types Defined
| Betta Fish Type | Definition |
|---|---|
| Veiltail | Long, flowing, downward swooping tail. |
| Crowntail | Spiky fins resembling a crown. |
| Combtail | Long rays with less webbing, fan-like tail. |
| Double Tail | Two distinct tails. |
| Spade Tail | Tail shaped like a spade. |
| Halfmoon | 180-degree spread tail resembling a D shape. |
| Over-Half Moon | Tail spreads over 180 degrees. |
| Delta Tail | Triangular-shaped tail. |
| Super Delta | Flared tail, less than 180-degree spread. |
| Half Sun | Cross between Crowntail and Halfmoon. |
| Rosetail | Excessive branching on fins, rose-like appearance. |
| Feather Tail | Ruffled fins resembling feathers. |
| Plakat/Shortfin | Short fin and tiny round body. |
| Dumbo Ear/Elephant Ear | Extra-large pectoral fins resembling elephant ears. |
| Blue Betta | Common color, with shades ranging from steel blue to royal blue. |
| Black Orchid Betta | Black coloration with iridescent blue streaks. |
| Red Betta | Dominant red color, vibrant appearance. |
| White Betta | White color, often paired with dramatic tail types. |
| Yellow Betta | Ranges from vibrant sunshine to soft butter yellow. |
| Green Betta | Solid color, sometimes with metallic overlay. |
| Purple Betta | Rare, ranging from violet to blue with copper and black variations. |
| Clear/Cellophane | Translucent skin, slight pink tinge from visible organs. |
| Cambodian Betta | Pale-pink body with bright red fins. |
| Dragon Scale Betta | Bright metallic color with thick, armor-like scales. |
| Butterfly Betta | Color fades from body to fins, with white edges. |
| Marble Betta | Pale body with solid color blotches, changes over time. |
| Dalmatian Betta | White body with black spots. |
| Koi Betta | Resembles koi patterns, often red, white, and black mix. |
Diseases & Health Issues
| Disease/Issue | Definition |
|---|---|
| Ich | Small white spots on the fish, often likened to grains of salt. |
| Popeye | One or both eyes bulge out, resembling a cartoonish “popeye” look. |
| Cloudy Eye | Eyes appear milky or cloudy, often a sign of a bacterial infection. |
| Columnaris | Cotton-like growths on the skin, gills, and mouth, also known as “Cotton Wool Disease”. |
| Tuberculosis | Rare but severe, causes loss of color, weight loss, and sluggishness. |
| Hole In The Head | Small holes or pits appear in the head and body. |
| Gill Flukes | Parasitic infection causing gill damage, visible as red or swollen gills. |
| Anchor Worms | Small worm-like parasites visible on the skin. |
| Tumors | Abnormal growths, can occur anywhere on the body. |
| Hemorrhagic | Severe internal bacterial infection, often fatal. |
| Mouth Rot | Mouth appears “cottony”, often due to a fungal or bacterial infection. |
| Swim Bladder Disease | Difficulty swimming or floating, often due to overfeeding or constipation. |
| Fin Rot | Fins fray and rot away, often due to poor water quality. |
| Constipation | Bloating and difficulty passing waste, often due to overfeeding. |
| Dropsy | Severe bloating and raised scales, often a sign of kidney failure. |
| Velvet | Dusty gold or rust appearance on the skin, caused by a parasitic infection. |
Betta Fish Care
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Pellet Food | Small, compact food pieces designed for Betta fish nutrition. |
| Flake Food | Thin, flat food pieces; not ideal for Bettas as they prefer pellets. |
| Live/Frozen Food | Bugs and small creatures like brine shrimp, given as treats. |
| Overfeeding | Giving too much food, which can cause bloating and other issues. |
| Fasting | Skipping feeding for a day weekly to help with digestion. |
| pH Level | Indicates if water is acidic or alkaline; around 7.0 is good for Bettas. |
| Hardness | Amount of minerals in water; Bettas like soft to slightly hard water. |
| Ammonia | Harmful waste from fish and leftovers; keep it to zero for healthy water. |
| Nitrites | Another harmful waste; also should be kept to zero with good filtration. |
| Nitrates | Lesser harmful waste, but keep it low for healthy water. |
| Water Conditioner | Chemicals to remove harmful stuff like chlorine from tap water. |
| Heater | Device to keep water warm, as Bettas like it between 76-80ยฐF. |
| Thermometer | Tool to check water temperature, ensuring it’s comfy for Bettas. |
Behavior
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Flaring | When Bettas spread their fins and gills to look bigger, usually when threatened or seeing their reflection. |
| Bubble Nesting | Male Betta’s behavior of blowing bubbles at the water surface to create a nest for eggs. |
| Hiding | Seeking shelter or hiding spots, common behavior indicating the need for rest or stress reduction. |
| Schooling | Unlike some fish, Betas are solitary and don’t engage in schooling behavior. |
| Aggression | Bettas are territorial and can show aggression, especially males towards other males. |
| Tail Biting | Biting their own tail due to stress, boredom, or water quality issues; indicative of a problem. |
| Surface Breathing | Betas have a special organ to breathe air from the surface when needed. |
| Color Changing | Changes in color due to mood, health, or environmental conditions. |
| Glass Surfing | Swimming up and down the glass, possibly due to stress or poor water conditions. |
Anatomy
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Fins | The delicate, flowing appendages used for swimming, with different types like dorsal, caudal, and pectoral fins. |
| Gills | The breathing organs where oxygen is extracted from water. |
| Scales | The small, protective plates covering a Betta’s body, often reflecting beautiful colors. |
| Swim Bladder | An air-filled sac that helps Betta fish control their buoyancy and swim at different levels. |
| Labyrinth Organ | A unique organ allowing Bettas to breathe air from the surface, useful in low-oxygen environments. |
| Eyes | Betta fish have good vision and can recognize their owners. |
| Ventral Fins | The pair of fins located on the underside of the body, helping with stability. |
| Dorsal Fin | The fin on the top side of the body, aiding in balance. |
| Caudal Fin | The tail fin, which propels the Betta forward and showcases beautiful color and type variations. |
| Pectoral Fins | The pair of fins located on either side of the body, helping with steering and stopping. |
| Anal Fin | The fin along the underside, often long and flowing in Betta fish. |
| Mouth | Betta fish have an upturned mouth suited for surface feeding. |
Breeding
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Spawning | The act of producing eggs (female) and fertilizing them (male). |
| Fry | Baby Betta fish, post hatching. |
| Egg-Binders | Long fins of male Betta used to embrace the female during spawning. |
| Bubblenest | A nest of bubbles created by the male to hold the fertilized eggs. |
| Breeding Tank | A separate tank set up specifically for breeding purposes. |
| Conditioning | Preparing adult Betta fish for breeding through proper feeding and environment. |
| Hatching | The process of baby Betta emerging from their eggs. |
| Live Food | Nutrient-rich food like brine shrimp or daphnia for feeding fry. |
| Grow-Out Tank | A larger tank where fry are moved to grow once they are larger and stronger. |
| Sibling Aggression | Common aggression among Betta siblings as they grow, may require separation. |
Aquarium Setup
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Tank Size | The volume of the aquarium, with a recommended minimum of 5 gallons for Betta fish. |
| Filtration | A system to clean and purify water, removing harmful waste and chemicals. |
| Lighting | Aquarium lights to mimic natural daylight, aiding in fish and plant health. |
| Plants | Live or artificial plants providing shelter, improving water quality, and enhancing aesthetics. |
| Substrate | Material like gravel or sand at the bottom of the tank, necessary for live plants. |
| Decorations | Items like rocks, caves, or driftwood added for aesthetic appeal and to provide hiding spots. |
| Air Pump | Device to aerate water, improving oxygen levels, not usually necessary for Betta tanks. |
| Heater | Device to maintain a stable temperature suitable for Betta fish (76-80ยฐF). |
| Thermometer | Tool to measure water temperature, ensuring it’s within the ideal range for Betta fish. |
| Water Conditioner | Chemicals to neutralize harmful substances like chlorine in tap water. |
| Aquarium Lid | Cover to prevent fish from jumping out and to reduce water evaporation. |
| Testing Kit | Tools to test water parameters like pH, ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates, ensuring a safe environment. |
Aquarium Maintenance
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Water Changes | Regular removal and replacement of a portion of tank water to reduce waste and improve water quality. |
| Tank Cleaning | Routine cleaning to remove algae, uneaten food, and other debris from the substrate and decorations. |
| Filter Maintenance | Cleaning or replacing filter media to ensure effective filtration and water clarity. |
| Algae Control | Measures to prevent or remove algae growth, like reducing light or using algae-eating creatures. |
| Vacuuming | Using a gravel vacuum to clean the substrate and remove debris. |
| Testing Water | Using a testing kit to check water parameters like pH, ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. |
| Pruning | Trimming live plants to keep them healthy and aesthetically pleasing. |
| Equipment Check | Regular inspection of heater, filter, and other equipment to ensure they are working properly. |
| Quarantine | Isolating new fish or plants before adding them to the main tank to prevent disease spread. |
| Medication | Administering treatments for diseases or parasite infestations as needed. |
Community & Tank Mates
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Tank Mates | Other fish or aquatic creatures living alongside Betta fish in the same tank. |
| Community Tank | A tank housing multiple species of fish living together harmoniously. |
| Aggression | A behavior in Betta fish, especially males, towards other fish, often due to territorial disputes. |
| Territorial | The tendency of Betta fish to claim areas of the tank and defend them against intruders. |
| Compatible | Species that can live peacefully with Betta fish without causing stress or harm. |
| Incompatible | Species that can cause stress, harm, or are likely to fight with Betta fish. |
| Schooling Fish | Fish that prefer to live and move together in groups; they can be good tank mates if the tank is large enough. |
| Bottom Dwellers | Fish that live near the bottom of the tank, often compatible as they stay out of the Betta’s way. |
| Algae Eaters | Fish or invertebrates that eat algae, helping to keep the tank clean. |
| Snails | Slow-moving invertebrates that can be good tank mates as they are peaceful and help clean the tank. |
| Shrimp | Small invertebrates that can live with Betta fish but might be eaten if they are too small. |
| Sorority | A tank setup with female Betta fish living together; requires a larger tank and careful monitoring. |