This old favourite hails from the Far East, Malasia, and Thailand. It can be a breathtakingly beautiful fish. It may grow to about six cm for male specimens and four or five cm for females. With selective breeding over the last century, about the only consistent identifying feature is its body shape, typical of most Bettas i.e. torpedo shaped with the mouth turned uptoward the surface in males. Colour variations range from black to white fins and/or body Colour. Many shapes of fins are now available including a double caudal fin. It is tolerant of a wide variety of water conditions, temperatures (68-80øF) and foods, although I found the less turbulence, the better.

I found inducing Bettas to spawn to be very easy but care must be taken to provide ample hiding places for the female as once spawning occurs, the male will attack and kill (given the opportunity) the female if she is unable to hide until she can be removed. I used a wide mouthed fish bowl to which I added Java moss, a dark coloured spawning mop, water lettuce and a few 'wads' of hair algae. This was very much a case of "add two fish to water but, don't stir". I placed a very rotund female Betta in the bowl first. Then, I added a young male. Within hours, the bubble nest was built and approximately 100 eggs were floating in and around it. I then removed the hiding female and the male and separated them. I covered the bowl with clear plastic and placed a forty watt incandescent light bulb over thebowl. I kept the light on continually. This kept the water warm, maintaining high humidity above the water. The warmth and light promoted growth of the plants, raising oxygen content in the water, and promoting infusoria growth. (The light also enabled a nosy fish keeper to observe the happenings.)

The fry hatch in about 36 to 48 hours. Some eggs may fungus without the addition of a fungicide. These should be removed to maintain water quality. The fry initially hang vertically from the bubble nest, becoming free swimming after about 24 hours. The fry thrive on infusoria initially and then in a couple of days relish microworms, a few drops of Liquifry(c), baby brine shrimp, fine emulsified powder food, and later yet, Grindal worms. Occasional water changes help maintain the water quality. The fry grow quickly and will be about an inch long or better by sixty days of age.

Beware of surface scum, cloudy water, or any 'off' smells. The addition of a very gentle air stone can keep the surface clear. At 4 to 6 weeks of age, the fry develop their labyrinths (the accessory breathing organ with which these fish breathe air directly from the surface). During this time the water surface must be kept free of drafts of cooler air or the fry maydie. I have found that locally raised fish which I acquired at club auctions were hardier, more easily spawned, and were not as aggressive toward each other or other fish. (Mature males need to be kept separate from other males, as they will fight, causing major damage to their beautiful finnage etc.. Just try putting a mirror up to one to see the response!) In closing, I recommend Betta splendens to anyone interested in spawning a bubble nest builder.