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Have you ever entered a doctor's office or perhaps a realtor's office to find the reception desk hosting a tiny fish bowl with a dim, lazy Siamese Fighting Fish floating about? This is the case with many domestic Bettas, as there are many misconceptions about their needs. Many people seem to think Bettas require no more than a bowl of tap water, some gravel and bloodworms to survive. The shame of it is, pet stores do nothing to help educate buyers on properly caring for these beautiful, elegant pets.

Keeping a betta happy and healthy does require time and effort, although not nearly as much as a tank housing coral reefs and Australian species. On the lower end of the scale, bettas require care just like any other fish.

Most people think Bettas are solitary fish and that is that, but never take into consideration how Bettas live in the wild. Native to ponds and rice paddies in Thailand, China, Cambodia, and other Asian countries, Bettas love extremely warm water accompanied with a neutral to slightly acidic pH balance. Plain old tap water just won't do, and chances are that you will need a heater for your Bettas aquarium.

Ever go to the pet store and wonder which Bettas are male and which are female? Well, those pretty finned fish in the single cups are all males. Male Bettas have long, elegant and colourful fins and larger bodies than females. Males are more vibrantly coloured. Females appear to be a variation of tetra, save their labyrinth which requires them to breathe from the surface. Females who are healthy and thriving have three vertical stripes on their body and are usually pale colours. Females are far less aggressive and can be housed in any tropical tank meeting temperature requirements.

Commonly known as the Siamese Fighting Fish, "Betta" is a term spanning the entire species. Siamese Fighting Fish is a specific subspecies, Betta Splendens. There are many different species of Betta, so be sure of what you are looking for before you ask for a Siamese Fighting Fish at your local pet store.

Bettas thrive in extremely warm water. Aquarium temperatures around 72-80 degrees Fahrenheit are prime for a Betta. They are less affected by pH level variances, so keeping your water around neutral to slightly acidic (6.4 - 7.4 meter reading) will be fine. However, you'll notice that cooler or warmer water will make your Betta dull and lethargic.

A betta doens't only flare up his fins when he is showing his aggression towards other males. Many people think

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