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How to look after a Siamese Fighting Fish | Kellyville Pets



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This comprehensive care guide will show you how to look after a Siamese Fighting Fish in 3 easy steps


Fast Facts:

How long will my Siamese Fighting Fish live? Up to 5 years

How big will it grow? 2-2.5 inches

What size tank is recommended for my Siamese Fighting Fish? A small tank of 3-4L capacity

What does a Siamese Fighting Fish eat? Specially formulated fighting fish pellets

Siamese Fighting Fish Housing

Siamese Fighting Fish, or Betta, are a tropical fish and thrive in a constantly warm environment. Undersized Betta containers are prone to rapid temperature changes in comparison to larger tanks, so they should be kept out of direct sunlight.

A tank housing one fighter should be of at least a 3-4L capacity. Siamese Fighters are generally best kept by themselves or with particularly docile fish, as many other fish species will eat their fins.

Siamese Fighters will grow to approximately 2-2.5in. Females are fairly dull coloured with short fins, while the males have long fins and vibrant colourations. As males are very aggressive toward one another, there should only ever be one per aquarium. Females are much more peaceful and can be housed in larger numbers in an aquarium.

Siamese Fighting Fish Care

Your fighting fish tank should be maintained at around 22-26˚C for everyday temperature. Siamese Fighters will tolerate water with a pH of 6.0-7.5, however, random fluctuations can lead to stress induced illness, as is the case with most fish species.

Strong water flow should be avoided as it will quickly exhaust your fighter. It is important to have a cycled tank as ammonia and nitrate can quickly build up in a small tank and will deteriorate the fins of fighters. It is best to maintain ammonia and nitrate levels of 0, so it is necessary to undertake weekly water tests.

Siamese Fighting Fish Food

The Siamese Fighting Fish is omnivorous and in the wild they mainly feed off small aquatic invertebrates. In an aquarium, Siamese Fighting Fish will accept a variety of foods such as fine grade dry food, frozen or freeze-dried foods.

Your fighter should be provided with a well balanced diet and will benefit most from live foods such as ‘blackworms’.

Did You Know?

Siamese Fighting Fish are part the Anabantids, or ‘Labyrinth fish’ species. The ‘Labyrinth’ is a breathing organ which allows Anabantids to survive in oxygen-deficient waters.

Due to the ‘Labyrinth organ’ these remarkable fish are able to breathe atmospheric air at the surface of the water!


We have created a Shopping list to show what you need to look after Siamese Fighting Fish:

  • 3-4L tank
  • Heater
  • Gravel
  • Plants
  • Rock
  • Driftwood
  • Water conditioner
  • Bio culture
  • pH test kit
  • Fighter pellets
  • Frozen food
  • Blackworms

Common health issues in Siamese Fighting Fish

Fin & Tail Rot: Usually due to poor water conditions, however can be caused by other problems. As the fin rot can progress and attack the body, it should be immediately addressed with an antibacterial treatment.

Cloudy Eyes: The eye becomes cloudy to the point of turning white, and the fish will lose its vision. Generally caused by parasites or stress, so water quality should be tested and remedied as needed.

Red flags

Is your Siamese Fighting Fish showing any of the signs of disease or illness? If yes, please contact your vet.

  • Sitting on the bottom of the tank (check temperature)
  • Clamped fins (check water quality)
  • Poor appetite (check temperature)

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CARE GUIDE © Copyright 2016 Kellyville Pets - All information found in this care guide is based upon our own experience. The information provided is not the only information available. In any medical situations,  you should always consult your vet, including questions regarding your pet's diet.