Last updated on May 13th, 2023 at 11:06 am
Veiltail Betta is also called a Siamese fighting fish. Best known for their lovely fins and color. Bettas can breathe using their labyrinth organ and this makes it possible for the fish to breathe from the surface.
The male of this variety posses a long, streaming downwards swooping tail. It can be found in several color variations and the general look is rather impressive.
If you wish to reproduce Betta fish, you ought to understand this is a dominant tail type over other variations, and for that reason is among the simplest to breed.
The female betta is again rather different. She doesn’t have any of the amazing attributes like the male, however, it often has intense colors. The females tend to have lighter colorations and short tails and fins.
The veiltail betta has actually been the most popular tail type kept in decorative fish tanks. Although recently, its popularity has decreased within the last few years with the commercialization of what the market calls “fancy bettas;” fish with distinct tail types like the crowntail, rosetail, or halfmoon, simply to name a few among others.
Although breeders have actually been developing these fancy bettas for years, the veiltail betta has actually remained a popular pet fish store due to the simplicity and ease of accessibility and breeding.
How to identify the Veiltail Betta
Veiltail betta is quickly identified by its asymmetrical, long caudal fin, which naturally sags downward. The long tail gene, typically designated as VT (short for veiltail) by breeders, dominant and is simple to reproduce.
These fishes are thought to be common by breeders and there are no longer classifications for showing veiltail betta competitively. While the show circles have actually all but abandoned the veiltail betta, there is strong resistance amongst betta enthusiasts to let this tail type vanish.
Numerous betta keepers declare that basic veiltails have a more outbound character, typically wiggling their tails and swimming around the fish tank to get a much better view of their owner.
Like mixed-breed dogs, they frequently have an enjoyable disposition, are normally healthy and since they aren’t greatly inbred, they do not experience the defects that some fancy bettas do.
Obviously, it is simply guesswork to state that veiltail betta has a “much better character” however, something is for sure … devoted betta keepers like their veiltails and will continue to purchase them regardless of what shows breeders are doing.
History of betta fish
The betta was first found in Southeast Asia. Making its house in rice paddies, drainage ditches, and the warm flood plains of the area, the betta ended up being familiar with regular storm flooding and ravaging droughts.
The cyclic, extreme modifications in its environment assisted the fish to adapt – ending up being a real labyrinth fish. A labyrinth fish has the special capability to breathe oxygen straight from the air and can also take in oxygen from its gills. As a result of this, bettas and other labyrinth fish can survive out of the water for a short period of time if required, they breathe in the air around them (as long as they stay moist).
This also explain why the bettas can sustain itself in stagnant, oxygen-deficient water. Bettas can endure little spaces and poor water quality, they do best in little fish tanks (at least 2 gallons aquariums) with routine water changes. The favored water temperature level for a betta is 76 to 82 degrees F.
Fish Tank Considerations For Veitail Betta Fish
What size tank should you purchase for your veiltail betta?
The very first thing that you will want to think about is the size of the tank you will buy.
The minimum size tank that a betta fish ought to reside in is 3 gallons.
For the happiest, healthiest veiltail betta fish you ought to be taking a look at tanks of around 5 gallons in size. Larger is much better for a wide variety of factors which we will discuss next.
There is a misconception that betta fish can reside in small bowls or perhaps vases. Do not listen – this is not real!
Importance of water quality to fish
In little tanks, the water column will end up being contaminated by fish waste and other particles faster. This can trigger spikes in both ammonia and nitrite levels that will need consistent monitoring, regular water changes and eventually will leave your fish living in water that is hazardous.
Look past the fishbowl and look towards the fish tanks (and understand that a filter is a must too)!
Water temperature
Since Bettas are tropical fish, they will need to reside in the water of 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This will surely need a filter. Heating systems should not be used on little fishbowls as water temperature levels can change rapidly, triggering tension and even death.
What you must know about betta fish when planning a tank
Betta fish provide their owners with special difficulties and requirements that should be thought about before you get a tank. There are behavioral qualities that need your understanding in order to acquire a tank that both you and the fish will enjoy.
The male Siamese battling fish are infamous for being aggressive towards one another. If placed in the same tank, these fish are territorial in nature and will combat and challenge one another. You need to not keep more than one male Betta in a fish tank.
You can keep more than one female Betta fish together in the exact same tank (they require to be kept in groups). There are fish tank setup and introduction strategies to produce a “female Betta fish sorority tank“. This ought to be looked into prior to attempting it.
Do you know that if you have the right tank established, your male betta fish does not need to live alone? He can have tank mates!
A couple of basic guidelines ought to be followed prior to selecting tank mates for your betta fish. Colorful fish with flowing fins should be avoided at all cost, so also are types that are bigger or that will nibble on your Betta.
The very best choices for tank mates are bottom fish, like Corydoras or Plecos. These examples can reside in the very same tank with your Siamese fighting fish. It is smart nevertheless to give your betta fish a minimum of 5 gallons of individual space prior to presenting other tank mates.
And naturally, a male and female Siamese battling fish ought to not be kept in the exact same tank other than for reproduction.
What do Bettas need from a fish tank?
Bettas will perform best in a tank that can replicate the conditions of their natural environment. These fish originated from shallow streams and rice patties. A shallower tank that uses higher length and width is perfect.
Betta fish are not strong swimmers. You will want to use a filter that does not create too much current. Using baffles or plants can develop a softer current that will let your betta swim quietly and peacefully.
Siamese battling fish stem from a tropical environment. As said earlier, the perfect water temperature level will remain in the range of 77 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
The majority of us reside in an area that will need a heating unit to preserve these temperature levels regularly.
Live plants are not just great for your fish, they provide a remarkable view. Other decorations will not just provide places for a Betta fish to hide, they can offer your tank an appearance that is amazing and enjoyable to see.
The style and products that your tanks are comprised of can turn it into the focal point of the room!
When aquascaping, your tank can provide an opportunity to be innovative and the styles you can select from are unlimited.
Intriguing facts about betta fish
- Bettas like slightly acidic water (pH 6.5 to 7) and warm water. Coldwater can trigger and reduce the immune system and cause health problems.
- Bettas have numerous different tail shapes – the most typical being the “veiltail.” Other tail shapes consist of the “half-moon,” “double tail,” “short-finned fighting-style tail” and “crown tail.”
- Bettas typically live for 2 to 3 years, however, there have actually been a couple of cases of bettas living well into their teens.
- The betta is called “plakad” in its native Thailand and has actually typically been described as “The jewel of the Orient.”
Should Breeders Stop Breeding Veiltail Betta?
Do you believe betta fish breeders should stop breeding veiltail betta? Up till a couple of some years back, the only betta fish you might discover at the big business fish shops like PetCo, Petsmart and Walmart were the basic veiltail betta.
Double-tail, Crowntail, Delta and Halfmoon bettas were an oddity shared just by breeders. Today all those alternatives and more are readily available to anybody who wants one. When I’m feeling less cynical, the most current trend is the King Betta which I will get to another day.
Naturally, if I had the means to begin breeding today I wouldn’t consider, even for a second, breeding a veiltail betta. Why would I? There is no revenue in it and definitely no glory. I do not participate in betta shows, however, I very much doubt that veiltail betta is being shown any longer or have actually been for a long period of time for that matter.
Plus I can totally understand the appeal of the fancier Bettas. Breeders, by meaning, are diligently information-oriented, forging ahead, and constantly pursuing excellence. They do not look back. Since I would too, I do not blame them for deserting the veiltail betta.
That stated; part of me doesn’t really want to see them go. The day I stroll into PetCo and see just fancy bettas is quickly approaching and I can’t help but feel like I’m losing an old friend.
Perhaps it is due to the fact that the veiltail betta was the very first betta I had … and I had numerous of them over the years.
They are familiar, like an old t-shirt … however like an old t-shirt, they have actually fallen out of style and need to be put away in the backs of our minds as absolutely nothing but a nostalgic memory.
Summary on veiltail betta
These are little fish that are simply kept in 5-gallon tanks. These aggressive little fish, which is also referred to as the Siamese fighting fish, have the most striking tail variations, patterns, and colors.
Tail variation, colors, and patterns have actually been thoroughly and selectively reproduced over the years by specialists and now there are numerous betta fish types.
Normally, in nature, the veiltail betta has duller colors, however, the Betta predestined for your fish tank will reveal the most striking and amazing mix.
What do you people believe? Is it time to proceed and put the veiltail betta behind us? Let’s hear your thought in the comment section below.