home || stock shop || shipping || order || basic care || water chemistry || foods || diseases || spawning || feeding fry || raising young || jar maintenance || genetics || gallery || IBC || links
BETTAS by Jim Sonnier
This Pastel Green Half Moon male was the IBC Champion Pastel male in 2003
Bettas truly are a perfect example of Beauty and the Beast! They have overwhelming physical beauty and they do behave as savage beasts. Male to male interaction results in brutal conflict that ends only when one is so badly beaten that he must totally submit. Male to female encounters often begin as bloody dominations and end in one of the most exquisite spawning rituals you will ever see. Bettas are a template of paradox.
For me the barbarous behavior is just a minor distraction in the appreciation of the beauty that is Betta splendens. I believe that Bettas are not to be used in fighting contests. I believe that Bettas are not to be abused by us - as in the weeks they spend without food in two ounces of water in plastic cups on retail shelves until they die. Sometimes I wonder who is the most cruel, the Betta or Man. I believe that Bettas are to be nourished and cherished for the exhilaration and joy they provide us. Such an animal deserves the best we can give - the best that is in Man.
Bettas have already shown us many awesome marvels. My hope is that with diligent care they will reveal even more spectacular aspects to those of us who love them.
home || stock shop || shipping || order || basic care || water chemistry || foods || diseases || spawning || feeding fry || raising young || jar maintenance || genetics || gallery || IBC || links
This page was last updated on 12/26/06
Copyright © 2002-2007 All Rights Reserved. Any unauthorized use of text, graphics or images is strictly prohibited. No data from this website may be reproduced without express written permission from Jim Sonnier.