Fighting fish male "super-delta xl" - Betta splendens

Super Delta XL fighting fish is a great breeding variety of the famous fighting fish. With their bright colors and very easy keeping, fighting fish have long enjoyed great popularity in aquaristics. Originally the Betta splendens comes from oxygen-poor waters of Asian rice-growing areas, as well as standing and flowing fresh waters between the islands around Bali to Indonesia over the Mailai peninsula to Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia. Its easy breeding and the rather low husbandry requirements contribute substantially to always new colors and breeding forms of these labyrinth fish. As a strict single fish it shows an unbelievable great character and quickly becomes the new family favorite.

Mainly in the color and the fins the sexes of the fighting fish differ. The females have a clear spawning papilla, but especially with young animals this can be difficult to recognize. In pale fighting fish the triangular egg set of the females is clearly visible, which is missing in the males. Also their fins remain much shorter and the colors somewhat behind the colorfulness of the males.

Fighting fish are foam nest builders, where the male builds such a nest at the water surface. Only for mating, if both animals are ready for it, they are brought together. Increased feeding with large live or frozen food increases the desire to mate. The actual act takes place closely embraced, with the female's eggs falling to the ground. The male collects these with his mouth and then spits them into the foam. Afterwards the female should be removed, as she runs the risk of being driven away and possibly injured by the male. After about 2 days the first larvae hatch, still hanging vertically on the discs or water plants and feeding on their yolk sac. After another 2 days they rise to the water surface and breathe atmospheric oxygen for the first time - now their labyrinth organ is developed. They can now be fed with infusoria or very freshly hatched nauplii. The aquarium should be a constant 27°C and covered with a cover glass, which allows oxygen exchange but also warms the air between the glass and the water surface. A too cool ambient temperature can lead to inflammation, which is one of the reasons for premature death. Good water hygiene of the rearing aquarium is essential.

In a community aquarium the fighting fish will claim a territory of 30-40 cm and more, which it will control regularly. Strict single keeping is optimal for the fighting fish, however, it can be kept perfectly in a 60 liter aqu arium with dense planting and partially shaded corners . Since it does not like bright lighting and reflections, the substrate should be kept dark . Since the animals partly jump, but also since they breathe at the water surface, the aquarium should be covered , so that the ambient air is warm enough. Last but not least, the adult fighting fish can also catch a cold if the ambient air is too cool. water temperature should not fall below 26°C permanently . The water values may be soft to medium hard. The fighting fish does not need special technology.

Fighting fish feed on flying insects and smallest crustaceans, so that the socialization with Dwarf shrimps only works if the aquarium is very well planted. You will hardly see the shrimps, but it is also possible that their offspring and sometimes they themselves will be eaten. This combination is therefore not recommended. Dwarf shr imps tend to pinch their fins.

As carnivores, fighting fish can be fed well with a soft granulated food designed for them. Occasionally they can be fed larger live foods or frozen foods such as Artemia and white Mosquito larvae can be spoiled. Some will even eat it out of tweezers.

Our food recommendation: The soft granules NatureHolic Bettafeed has been optimized in its composition to meet the needs of fighting fish and other carnivores. However, fighting fish do not only need pure animal proteins. A small proportion of vegetable substances imitates the intestinal contents of the prey animals, with which the beautiful bettas in nature ultimately consume a certain proportion of plant food. Garlic extract has a strengthening effect and can supportthe immune system and also make it strong against parasites.

Our plant recommendation: For planting, use NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.