Mike’s Fish Tank – History of the Betta

History of the betta fish. The dazzling and pugnacious betta that we know is a far cry from how it looked like two hundred years ago. In old Siam, now Thailand, little drab fish lived in puddles, rice paddies, and slow moving streams all over Siam, Laos, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia and parts of China. They were common as can be.

But they were entertaining. The males fought like roosters. It didn’t take long for the fish to be kept for the “sport” of fish fighting. Although the breeds nature didn’t change, it’s appearance did.
It’s amazing how suppressed genes come out during some sort of natural or artificial selection.

Domestication especially seems to bring out the most spectacular extremes. It has taken less than two centuries to turn the unimpressive little wild fish with a temper into one of the most popular and colorful pet fish in the world.

It is almost if the wild fish was the marble and past betta breeders were the sculptors. Changes in appearance were much preferred over increasing the fighting drive of the males. When a new color emerged, cream, it was at first thought this heralded a new species. But soon, fish breeders around the world realized the bettas contained a treasure chest of genes for a palette of brilliant colors and a great variety of fin shapes. Bettas now come in a jaw dropping mix and match of almost any color you can think of. The newest and rarest varieties are available only though breeders or fish shows.

Although bettas can be kept in tiny bowls, the colors really light up when kept in at least one gallon of water.

Pets A Plenty is located in the Blockbuster Video Plaza, Rte 281 Cortland, 753-9213. Open 7 days a week. We now have a website. www.petsaplety.biz. check it out. I post care sheets, coupons, new animal arrivals, contests and more. Any questions, email me at friskyy@hotmail.com

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