How to Care for Bettas, Gouramis & Paradise Fish
Anabandids are a variety of fish suitable for living in oxygen-deficient waters. These adaptations include the ability to use atmospheric air as a source of oxygen and bubble nesting properties.
Endemic to Asia from India to Cambodia. There is one main species of Betta fish, some colour varieties of Paradise fish and several gouramis currently available.
Water Requirements
This group of fish are normally seen as being hardy, although there are exemptions. The water of the aquarium must match the following parameters, although the fish may adjust to different water over time:
Temperature: They can tolerate a range 22-28°C however Paradise fish can tolerate a cooler 17°C.
pH: 6-8
Ammonia: 0mg/l (0.02mg/l may be tolerated for short period of time)
Nitrite: 0mg/l (0.2mg/l may be tolerated for short period of time)
Hardness: Moderately soft to hard (5-19°dH)
Biology
This group of fish belongs to the family Osphronemidae, and are characterized by their labrynth that allows them to survive in hot, low-oxygen waters.
Male gouramis have a sharp dorsal wing and elongated anal fin waves. Males of this group are more vibrant than females, this is often boosted during breeding times.
The typical aquarium fish can reach the following sizes: Gourami 7-15 cm; Paradise Fish 6-10 cm; Siamese fighter 6.5-7.5 cm.
In good water quality and without ailments, these fish can flourish for several years in an aquarium. Many members of this family have a typical elongated ray on each pelvic fin.
These are similar to whiskers and are used to discern their surroundings. Male Betta fish are famous for their extremely stretched fins and bright colouration.
Aquarium Requirements
The minor species, such as the Dwarf and Honey gourami, and the Betta fish possibly will be best provided with the smallest aquarium size of 45 litres. The more species in this group, including the Paradise fish and the Trichogaster gouramis, may be best provided with a minimum aquarium of 90 litres. (There are exclusions such as the Giant gourami, although these are infrequent in home aquariums).
These fish may choose soft to medium or hard water so test the parameters of your aquarium water, if you wish to change it do it slowly. These fish can alter various water parameters. A heater is mandatory and a planted tank with a mild current is recommended. Lights will help to bring out normal colours of the fish, particularly in the males, and help plant growth.
If males and females are to be kept, the tank must be capable of holding three adults. Male gouramis and Paradise fish have been famous to annoy females for mating a ratio of 2:1 (females:males) is suggested. Male Bettas need to be kept by themselves as they are very violent towards one another.
Maintenance
At least once every two weeks, a partial water change of 25 to 30% is strongly recommended (a siphon device is convenient for removing waste from gravel). Water should be tested regularly to ensure that contaminants such as ammonia and nitrite do not increase. Either allow the replacement water to stand or ventilate to remove chlorine. Instead, treat all the water you replace with a tap water conditioner before adding it to the aquarium.
Filters should be tested for congestion and blockages. If the filter requires cleaning then do not run it under the tap as any chlorine existing may kill the useful bacterial population that has developed in the media. Instead, it can be washed in the tank water which is detached during a partial water change as this decreases the amount of bacteria which are gone.
Good care is essential as these fish are susceptible to even small amounts of ammonia and nitrite. Check the water every week to monitor the level of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, mainly during the first set-up and after adding more fish.
Feeding
This group of fish are omnivores. In the wild they prefer towards a meaty diet and are seen feeding upon insect larvae, crustaceans and zooplankton.
In the home aquarium they must be provided with a decent quality tropical fleck or pellet and supplemented with cold, freeze dried and live foods.
Fish should be fed 1 to 2 times a day for a few minutes. Remove uneaten food to decrease waste disposal.
Potential Problems
A water quality issue will affect fish behaviour and can be shown by clamped fins, reduced feeding, irregular swimming and gasping at the surface. Instantly check the water if any of these symptoms are shown.
Compatibility
These fish are normally thought of as non-violent and therefore can be a good addition to a non-violent community tank. They add a welcome charm to the surface of an aquarium as they swallow the air using the labyrinth organ.
Betta fish are not good for semi-violent or violent community tanks because, due to their lengthy fins, they are often subjected to fin squeezing which can lead to illness and death.
Breeding
The majority of Anabantids use bubble nests during breeding however, there are some species which have different plans.
A bubble nest is a gentle structure formed from the mouth of the female or male and sometimes contains plant debris to help grasp it together. The eggs will be put into this and, due to its gentle nature, water flow from filters must be decreased.
The male and female Anabantids will ‘dance’ during dating, once this has effectively occurred the eggs will be placed into the nest. The male will brutally guard this area from all other fish. The eggs will typically hatch within 1 day and within 2 to 3 days you may see the young ones swimming.
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