Welcome to brain Stuff production of iHeart Radio, Hey brain Stuff Lauren Voga bam here with their striking, bold colors and flashy fins. Beta fish are one of the more popular types of fish sold for home aquariums, perhaps because, unfortunately, there are a number of misconceptions about these creatures. The truth is that they're not as hardy and easy to care for as many believe. Beta fish, sometimes called fighting fish,
are tropical fish native to Southeast Asia. Wild beta's typically live in rice patties and other shallow, stagnant bodies of water. Because these wetlands routinely shrink during the dry season, betas hop from puddled puddle trying to find a reasonably deep pool where they can hang out until the rains return. Due to these conditions, betas developed what's known as a labyrinth organ that gives them the ability to obtain some
oxygen from the air as well as the water. The suborder that includes bay is are sometimes called labyrinth fish or garami. Beta's got the nickname fighting fish due to their territorial nature. During the eighteen hundreds, perhaps especially in what's now Thailand. The fish were bred for this purpose and fights were forced for entertainment. Beta's were first introduced
to the United States in the early twentieth century. Wild betas generally have small fins and are dull, green or brown in color, but today's pet betas have been bred to be quite colorful with elaborate fins. With proper care, a pet beta can live for two to four years, but before you buy one, make sure you're aware of these five common fish tails about the beautiful beta fish. Perhaps the most widespread myth about beta's is that they
can live in small bowls. The opposite is true. Beta fish need a tank that's at least five gallons about twenty leaders and ten gallons or about forty leaders is better. The origin behind this persistent myth is uncertain, but it may come from the fact that betas are often sold in small containers and because they have some ability to breathe out of the water. But betas can be stressed if they're housed in close quarters, especially if they share
space with fish perceived as rivals. Small tanks mean there's nowhere to hide. Even when housed alone or with fish that they get along with, they still need hideouts to escape to. But while the tank should be spacious, it shouldn't be too deep, as beta's are more comfortable swimming back and forth, not up and down. We spoke via email with Matt Layton, a long time beta fish owner and editor of Vivo Fish, who explained that betas should be kept in tanks no deeper than twelve inches or
thirty centimeters, noting that their fins aren't that powerful. He said, if it's too deep, the beta may not be able to get up to the surfaces easily. It's heartbreaking to see a beta struggling to climb and then be pulled down to the bottom by his tail. Another myth is that beta aquariums don't need a water heater or filter, but betas are tropical fish that need to be kept in water ranging from seventy six to eighty one degrees
fair height that's twenty four to twenty seven celsius. Unless your home never veers hotter or colder, you'll need that heater. A water filter is important too, even though wild betas live in murky puddles. Without a filter, the fishes excrement and uneaten food can make the water toxic, though be sure to purchase a filter with a gentle flow as beta's delicate fins do better in calm water, in addition that their fins could be damaged by the section in
higher flow filters. Meanwhile, it's actually true that betas don't mind being alone and that they tend to have issues with other fish. If male betas are placed together or placed with other fish that have bright colors and large fins, their natural territorialism often prompts them to fight. However, they can definitely live with other aquatic creatures, such as ghost shrimp, snails,
and African dwarf frogs. They can also live with other species of fish, but they do best with bottom dwellers with small fins, as they're less likely to fight over territory. Like the coolie loach. Female betas can often live harmoniously together given adequate space, which means at least five gallons or twenty liters per fish, but always introduce the new fish slowly and monitor them. Guides online can help you acclimate your existing fish to the idea of a new
tank mate. Tricks like rearranging hiding spots and feeding your current fish before adding a new one can help, but you should always watch them carefully for a few days and be prepared to move an aggressor to another tank or another home. Another misconception is that betas can live off of plant roots alone. While beta fish are often sold in small vases with a plant, Betas are carnivores, not herbivores. In the wild, they chow down on insects and larva, so feed your pets fish pellets or flakes
specially crafted for beta's. You can supplement with high protein treats such as blood worms and brine shrimp, but remember that fish can become overweight just like any pet, so feed in moderation, ideally only as much food as the fish can eat within three to five minutes. Finally, don't
ex spect to beta to be a lay about. Many people observed betas and pet stores, where they're often kept in small containers that hinder their activity, and many owners erroneously keep their beta fish in unheated water, which makes them lethargic. But Layton says that beta fish are playful in the proper setting. He said, I've seen them push moss balls around, dance around their tank, display their tails, and generally be quite active. Beta's are inquisitive and will
interact with plants toys and structures floating or sinking. Just make sure they're fish safe and don't have any sharp edges that could hurt those beautiful fans. Today's episode was written by Melanie Red Zekie McManus and produced by Tyler Clang. For more on this and lots of other fishy topics, visit how stuff works dot com. Brain Stuff is a production of iHeart Radio. For more podcasts my heart Radio, visit the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.