Pets'n'Hobbies

Bettas, also called fighterfish in parts of South East Asia, are intelligent and beautiful fish. They are fun to watch. Their graceful movement and their beautiful finnage make for impressive display.

The scientific name for this fish, Betta Splendens actually means Beautiful Warrior. The betta is a very popular aquarium fish.

Temperament
They are also highly aggressive, particularly the males. This makes bettas mostly unsuited for community aquariums. Bettas have to be kept in a tank all to themselves. Female Bettas are also aggressive.

Female Bettas can be kept in aquariums, with fish of other species.  Make sure that the tank has plenty of space. Provide hiding places where the fish can retire to when stressed. The tanks should have lots of plants, preferably floating plants.  Female Bettas can be provoked with fish with bright finnage such as male guppies

Some aquarium keepers have large number of female bettas in large numbers say 10 or 15. In smaller numbers, they can become hostile …

Plecos are difficult to breed in the aquarium. Breeding has been done in large aquariums and in fish farms.
Sexing the Pleco Plecos are difficult to tell apart based on their gender. It is almost impossible for the aquarist to tell them apart. Experts say that the genital papilla of the male protrudes during the mating season. This distinguishes it from the female. This is very inconspicuous and the difference is not obvious to the untrained eye.
Plecos are from South America. They live in the many streams and water bodies which make the Amazon basin. In the wild, plecos breed in small underwater caves in the banks of the river. This can be difficult to mimic in the aquarium or pond setting. Some people have reported success with small pots which act as the caves.
Water changes up to 50% have to be done every day. This simulates the rainfall in its native region. During the breeding season, a male takes over a cave. He cleans it and arranges its side. If a female is interested, she w…

Plecos are tropical fish.  They will also grow to about a foot long.  Some individual fish have grow to about 2 feet.  This should be kept in mind before purchasing the fish.

Plecos require a large tank about 55 gallons.  They are pretty hardy fish.  It is easy to care for them.
A pH of 6.5 to 7.5 is ideal.  The temperature can be between 23 and 30 degree Celsius.

Provide plenty of hiding places such as rock overhangs, driftwood and plants for the pleco to rest during the day time.  Plecos are nocturnal fish and they are most active at night.

Plecos are highly territorial.  They require at least 75 gallons per individual.  While they get along well with fish of other species, they become aggressive and hostile with members of their own species.  Hence, it is not advisable to have plecos together.

Having More than one Pleco
Besides, plecos have a high bioload.  They are voracious eaters and produce copious amounts of waste.   The water in the tank can get dirty with many plecos.

If you must h…