Don't have time to look after a cat or a dog? Too busy for a bird? Well a fighting fish may be your answer. Easy to care for and interesting to look at, this pet won't beg for attention or scratch up your lounge. They only grow up to 5cm long and can eat commercial betta pellets or bloodworms.
The Siamese fighting fish is also known by the term betta and an interesting tidbit for you is that a picture of fighting fish was used as the default background for windows 7 beta - a reference to the fish. Fido or Kitty can't hold that to their name now can they?
Selective breeding is the reason for their beautiful colours with wild ones sporting a greeny brown colour. You can buy fighting fish from any
aquarium and some
pet shops and their food as well. The only problem will be choosing which fighting fish you want to take home.
Fighters can live up to 5 years in captivity, so you'll need to make them a nice home. They live in freshwater and like somewhere to hide so when you're setting up your tank make sure to include a novelty scuba diver or chest of treasure. Many people put their fighters in vases with colourful pebbles on the bottom but make sure that the vase is big enough for the fish to swim around in.
I'm sure you've heard about fighting fish seeing their reflection and wanting to fight it? Well, it's true. They will flare up at their own reflection and try to attack it. This is perfectly normal - so deep breaths please. These pets make excellent house warming presents and add a bit of colour to any room but remember it is a pet so make sure and look after it. How would you like to be living in murky water and hungry? I thought so.
