identifying the betta breed

[breezyoak]

Hi everyone, I've recently taken in a betta from a friend who's had to stop keeping fish due to health issues. I was hoping someone could help me identify the type and maybe tell me a bit more about him from the picture. I'm not too familiar with Bettas myself. He was in a community tank before and seems to be settling in fine with his new tank mates.

[belleora]

I'm not much help with identifying the betta type, but I do have some concerns about his tankmates. While the tank looks beautifully maintained with those lovely live plants, I think it's worth considering the potential stress on the other fish. They may appear fine now, but having a larger, territorial fish like a betta can be quite daunting for them, especially the shy and nervous species like the celestial pearls, ember tetra, and chili rasbora. Even if the betta seems peaceful, his presence can still cause stress, and it's not just about the risk of aggression - bettas release hormones into the water that can affect the other fish. This can weaken their immune systems and make them more susceptible to illness. I understand it might seem like they're getting along, but it's really not a natural environment for the betta or the other fish. If this is your tank setup, I'd recommend setting up a separate 5-10 gallon tank for the betta to call his own. It would be better for all the fish in the long run.

[breezyoak]

I'm not much help with identifying the betta type, but I do have some concerns about his tankmates. While the tank looks beautifully maintained with those lovely live plants, I think it's worth considering the potential stress on the other fish. They may appear fine now, but having a larger, territorial fish like a betta can be quite daunting for them, especially the shy and nervous species like the celestial pearls, ember tetra, and chili rasbora. Even if the betta seems peaceful, his presence can still cause stress, and it's not just about the risk of aggression - bettas release hormones into the water that can affect the other fish. This can weaken their immune systems and make them more susceptible to illness. I understand it might seem like they're getting along, but it's really not a natural environment for the betta or the other fish. If this is your tank setup, I'd recommend setting up a separate 5-10 gallon tank for the betta to call his own. It would be better for all the fish in the long run.

Thanks for your prompt response and for having a good eye for detail. I do have two other tanks, but they're currently occupied by CPD babies and cherry shrimp, so they're out of commission for now. In about a month or so, the babies will be ready to move to the main tank and then to my local fish shop, freeing up one of the tanks. I know my betta was previously kept with similar fish, including mountain minnows and blue eye rainbowfish, so I'm aware of the potential risks. For now, I'll just have to keep a close eye on him and the other fish until I can relocate the babies. I've read about the hormones, mainly testosterone and estrogen, and as long as I stay on top of water changes, I don't think they'll be an issue. I currently do 25% water changes every Sunday, but I can increase the frequency to 50% twice a week if needed. I really don't want to give him up, so I might have to set up the hospital tank for him temporarily.

[happyone]

While some betta individuals are surprisingly tolerant of community life, it's essential to acknowledge that this is far from the norm. The temperament of the betta in question plays a significant role in determining their compatibility with other fish.

Considering this particular betta has a history of coexisting with other fish in a community tank, it's possible that they might continue to thrive in their current environment. However, it's crucial to remain vigilant and monitor their behavior, as well as the well-being of their tankmates, to ensure a harmonious coexistence.

[wandg]

Lovely betta, isn't he. No idea what type though. I've been wondering, is there an app for fish identification similar to Merlin for birds. You know, take a photo and it tells you what you're looking at. Would be super helpful for all us fish enthusiasts.

[sSjey]

The betta in question is indeed a Betta splendens, but as we all know, there's a vast array of tail types, colours, and even scale patterns within this species.

Looking at the picture, I'd say the OP's betta has a veiltail, which is quite distinctive. Furthermore, it appears to be a bicolour, with the body and fins displaying different colours, adding to its unique charm.

[belleora]

While it's true some bettas can coexist with other fish, we mustn't forget the impact on the smaller tankmates. Even if the betta isn't aggressive, the stress and competition for resources can still take a toll on the celestial pearls, ember tetra, and chili rasbora.

If you're planning to move the betta to another tank in a month, I'd suggest using this time as an experiment. Observe the behavior of both the betta and the other fish, and see if there's any change after the betta is relocated. I've had a similar experience with my pygmy corydora and bronze corydora. Although neither species is territorial or aggressive, the bronzes' boisterous nature still affected the pygmies, causing them to become withdrawn.

It's essential to remember that tankmates aren't just about avoiding aggression; even subtle factors can significantly impact a fish's behavior. In my experience, nano fish thrive in peaceful, specialized tanks, not in community tanks with larger fish. We need to consider the fish's well-being and create an environment that promotes their natural behavior.

[gildfish]

He's a stunning Bi-color VT - his coloration reminds me of my male Jade, I just adore him.

[breezyoak]

Thanks everyone, I'm keeping a close eye on all the tank inhabitants for any changes in temperament and so far, everything seems fine, but I know it's still early days - only 24 hours have passed. I've got a sponge filter cycling in the background, just in case I need to move Mossy to a separate tank. The only one hiding is my armoured shrimp, but that's nothing new - he loves playing peekaboo from under the wood decoration.

[breezyoak]

Just a quick update for you guys, all's good. It's been a few days now and Mossy seems to have settled in nicely, the other tankmates are swimming about freely and out in the open, no issues there. There's been a bit of chasing, but more like "move out of my way, I'm coming through" rather than any aggressive behavior, and the only flaring I've seen is at his own reflection, so that's all good.