Belontids are very attractive species , due to the characteristic elongation of the pectoral fins that accompanies most of the representatives of this family.
Most Belontids have a good relationship with other families , with the exception of the popular Betta Splendens or Siamese Fighting fish, which has a fairly aggressive behavior. It is not possible to keep two males in the same aquarium, they would fight until the death of one of the two specimens.
They are fresh and warm water fish, with the exception of the Macropodo-fish Paraiso, which is a cold water Belontid . The temperature of the tank must be between 22º and 28º C.
Aquarists often add fresh, warm water to stimulate their appetite and increase the desire to spawn in pairs.
Another detail that professionals usually use to increase the possibilities of breeding, is to distribute the food rations in several doses a day, trying to reproduce the way in which they would feed if they were free.
Paradise Fish or Comb Tail Paradise Fish
Belontia signata
Paradise comes from the island of Sri Lanka.
It is a robust fish that can measure 12 centimeters in length . It is reddish brown in color.
The difference between male and female is obvious. Sexual dimorphism allows us to distinguish the male from the female, who usually have more developed dorsal and anal fins.
It is not a sociable fish, it is quite aggressive even with other fish of the same species, so it is not common in aquariums where you want to have different species.
The Paradise Fish is not very demanding with respect to the composition and quality of the water, but it is with the temperature, which must be above 25ºC.
Betta
Betta imbellis
The Betta imbelis or peaceful fighter , is a calm and peaceful species, which only shows aggressiveness when it has to compete with another male.
They are suitable fish for small aquariums, where you will swim in between spaces or near the surface.
Like all fish of this species, the dorsal and anal fin is highly developed in the male, which is easy to differentiate from the female.
As for food, they eat any small live food.
See more: Betta Fish
Siamese fighting fish
Betta splendens
Among the Betta, it is the most popular of all, due to its colors and the size of its fins. Curiously, they are the result of different crosses, since Bettas in the wild have duller and duller colors , and much smaller fins.
Its aggressiveness between males of the same species is well known. You cannot have two males in the same aquarium , their fight for territory would be to the death.
The variety of colors is huge, there are Betta fish in shades of blue, black, red, yellow and bicolor.
In some specialized stores, it is possible to find Betta with a pink body and red, blue, green, yellow, black or white fins .
Betta pugnax
It is a species close to Betta splendens. It is a variety from Malaysia.
They need well filtered aquariums , with a lot of water flow and filtered light.
In the breeding period, the males are very aggressive and combative . They are not as attractive as other Betta varieties, so they are not as popular and easy to find.
One blot fighter
Betta smaragdina
Another species close to Betta splendens. It is native to the rivers of Thailand, where it builds bubble nests. Most of the Belontidos practice mouth incubation, to which they usually add plant debris.
It is not very well known, although in its favor it has that they are very peaceful.
Giant gourami
Colisa fasciata
This species of the Belontids, is native to India, Thailand and Malaysia.
It is a calm fish that likes to be among the plants in the aquarium, so it needs the presence of a good number of floating plants, in the middle of which it builds its bubble nests.
The male is larger than the female, measuring about 14 centimeters east, and the female 12 centimeters. Another distinctive morphological aspect is that the male’s dorsal fin is pointed.
Full-lipped gourami
Colisa Labiosa
The thick – lipped Gourami is native to southern Burma. It is similar to the giant Gourami, with which it is confused.
Although less popular, it is easier to reproduce than Colisa fasciata.
Their size ranges between 7 and 10 centimeters, they are peaceful and calm.
Dwarf gourami
Colisa lalia
Within the Colisa species, it is one of the most attractive.
The male is bright red with blue diagonal stripes. The head and the operculums are greenish-blue in color with metallic reflections and, to top it all, its anal, dorsal and pelvic fins are deep red.
This wonder of aquariums has its origin in the eastern regions of India, where it is common to find it hidden among the plants, due to its calm and shy nature.
Its size is really small, it does not exceed 5 centimeters, which makes it an ideal species for small aquariums.
Anabas ansorgii
Ctenopoma ansorgii
This fish is native to Congo and West Africa, where it can be found in streams where the water flow is smooth and the composition is slightly acidic.
It is quite peaceful, although it tends to eat the smallest fish.
It will be perfect in an aquarium with a lot of vegetation, which simulates its original habitat.
Gourami pearl
Trichogaster leeri
All trichogaster, and in particular Leeri, are easy to acclimatise species, which is why they are very popular.
They are peaceful and shy fish that need to share space and are similar species, in an aquarium where there is abundant vegetation that protects their privacy.
The aquarium water should preferably be soft, slightly acidic and with a temperature close to 25ºC.
If we want to reproduce it in the aquarium, we must provide surface plants, where it can build its nest.
See more: Gurami Perla
Three-spotted gourami
Trichogaster trichopterus
The three-spotted Gurami is native to Sumatra. Its name refers to the three dark spots that run horizontally on its body.
It is a calm species, although it is surly and does not relate to other species in a community aquarium.
They are about 10 centimeters in size.
Gourami singer
Trichopsis vittata
This variety comes from Southeast Asia, where we will find it in the meanders of rivers.
The size of these fish is about 6.5 centimeters, it allows us to keep it in a 50 liter aquarium.
Although it is easy to keep in captivity, its reproduction is not so easy.
