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Male fish with long fins are particularly prone to fin tears. To ensure fins are not torn, gravel should be smooth and decorations such as silk or live plants should have no rough edges. Siamese fighting fish will be more active, inquisitive and interesting to watch when they feel secure in their surroundings. This will provide a stimulating environment to explore and reduce stress to the fish. They originate from densely vegetated areas and tend to prefer a tank with several plants, real or artificial, and/or other forms of cover in which to explore, rest and hide if they feel threatened.
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Siamese fighting fish are intelligent fish and require an interesting and varied environment. This will also help to reduce the chance of algae forming. Aquarium lights should be kept on for a maximum of 12 hours to provide fish with adequate rest time. The tank should be kept out of direct sunlight to inhibit algae growth and excessive heat. At this time the sides of the tank can be wiped with an aquarium safe sponge and filter media and/or decorations can be cleaned in old tank water. Partial water changes of approximately 10% should be performed once per week, using a gravel vacuum to remove waste and uneaten food from the substrate. Some liquid solutions are available that are effective at cycling tanks quickly while adding fish to the tank. You should regularly test your water for pH, GH, KH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Siamese fighting fish require a pH of around 7.0, GH 7-9º, KH 5-8º. These will vary depending on your local water supply. Use GH ‘General Hardness’ and KH ‘Carbonate Hardness’ supplements. You should use a quality liquid water conditioner to remove chlorine and chloramine from tap water before adding it to your tank.
![fish in fish bowl fish in fish bowl](https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/two-goldfish-swimming-fish-bowl-11785263.jpg)
Good water quality is essential for any aquarium. A submersible aquarium heater is the only way to achieve and maintain a constant and appropriate temperature for Siamese fighting fish. However, these lamps are usually switched off at night and the heat provided may be either insufficient or excessive depending on the surrounding area/climate the bowl is kept in.
![fish in fish bowl fish in fish bowl](https://img.cutenesscdn.com/640/ppds/08cc2fa0-9f2c-4b66-a2a3-3cbf16ee4e16.jpg)
Some bowls/tanks are sold with small lamps above them, suggesting that this will provide adequate heat. Small fish bowls are usually too small to fit a suitable heater and thus cannot properly regulate and maintain a constant ideal temperature. The tank should be heated using a submersible aquarium heater and the temperature should be kept at around 24☌. Room temperatures can also fluctuate, and this can be stressful to the fish. Normal room temperature is not suitable as this is generally too cold. Siamese fighting fish are from a tropical climate, so proper heating is essential. These bacteria take weeks to establish in a new aquarium, and can be lost quickly by completely cleaning a tank, which is what often occurs in small tanks and bowls. This is known as a biological filter, and is essential to the health of any aquarium. When the tank water is passed over the filter media, beneficial aquarium bacteria convert the toxic ammonia released from decaying fish waste into less harmful nitrates. Filters assist by removing large waste particles and by breaking down toxic waste products. Filters are crucial in providing circulation, aeration and filtration of the water. Siamese fighting fish prefer low flow as this mimics their natural habitat. FilterĪ filter of appropriate size for the tank with adjustable flow is needed. Each tank should only contain a single male Siamese fighting fish. This will reduce chances of aggression and/or stress between the species. Tanks housing additional fish should be in excess of 40 litres so that individual territories can be established. Siamese fighting fish require occasional surface air, even if water oxygen is plentiful, so there must be some space between the water and the tank lid in which to take in air. Siamese fighting fish are excellent jumpers so the tank should be fitted with a lid to prevent escape. These fish are known to be intelligent and curious, and small bowls do not meet the fish’s behavioural or physiological needs. Tanks for housing Siamese fighting fish should be at least 15 litres in volume, with an optimal size of 20 litres or greater. Small tanks or fish bowls do not provide adequate space or a healthy environment for Siamese fighting fish.