Boba Archieves

Instructions

▪︎Context: •Bettas are small to medium-sized carnivorous freshwater fish that inhabit marshes, ponds, rice paddies, and slow-moving streams of Southeast Asia. •They were first domesticated about a thousand years ago, making them one of the oldest pet fish. While they were originally used for competitions, they are now commonly kept for the experience of owning a freshwater animal. ▪︎Parameters: •Bettas need tropical water of around 76-82°F to thrive. Anything lower than 70-75°F can be too cold for long-term health, weakening their immune system. •They prefer soft, slow-moving water, with a neutral pH, in, at least, a 5-gallon tank, that is cycled with beneficial bacteria and a filter to keep down ammonia and nitrites. •They do not require surface agitation as they have a special organ, called the labyrinth, that lets them breathe air at the surface. Too much water disturbance is actually stressful to them. ▪︎Behavior: •Male bettas are usually highly territorial fish. They do not like each other, and will start intense fights. Females bettas are less territorial, but may still be uninviting to companion fish in small tanks. •Male and female bettas will engage in a behavior where they flare their gills and fins. It is usually a territorial response, display, and form of communication to other fish to tell them to back away or to show off. They do it to look big and intimidating to potential dangers, but to also look pretty. •Male bettas will often build bubble nests to impress female bettas. Females may sometimes do this, but it is rare. When females visit, they will sometimes drop their eggs after granting the permission for the male to have them. The male, of which, will take those eggs, grow them, and put them into his bubble nest, guarding them with his life from other fish, including the female, until they hatch and grow up mostly developed for independence. •All bettas will head towards the surface to gulp and inhale air, to breathe. Their labyrinth is an essential part of their respiration, and they will use it, even if the water is well-oxygenated. •Most bettas are highly curious and intelligent fish. They will investigate sources of food, decorations, and other things in their tank. A healthy betta is excited to meet their owner and to be fed. If a betta is constantly hiding and inactive, they might be sick, stressed, or even bored. Genetics: •Domestic bettas are primarily descended from wild Betta splendens, although some modern ornamental breeds are likely hybrids between a few species. Bettas are part of the gourami family. •Bettas have good spectrum vision, though they are near-sighted and lack the ability to see far distances clearly. Their eyes are monocular, pointed in different directions, hindering far-sightedness. •Several domestic traits are responsible for the colors, patterns, and fins of domestic bettas. It best explains why it is so challenging to find wild types, as they mostly lack those traits to begin with. Controls: Tap the screen to feed the betta. She can follow your finger too. She also likes her decorations.