Seeing Bettas at Aquarama 2009

Aquarama 2009 - 11th International Ornamental Fish and Accessories Exhibition 2009
Date : 28 - 31 May 2009 (30 & 31 May 2009 - For Public Visitors)
Location : Suntect City - Level 6, Hall 601-603
Public Visitors Admision Fee : Adult S$8.00, Child below 12 years old is free

I went on the last day of the show, which was on Sunday.
It wasn't crowded at all to what I've imagined it to be.
The last time I visited Aquarama was about 5 years ago.
Which I couldn't really remember how it was now...
But I did enjoy my visit to see the different varieties of Bettas.
There are hundreds of beautiful bettas on show and I am looking forward to the next year Aquarama.









Stingrays!






An interesting booth with no one around.
There is a Honesty box saying that items are at S$2.00 each.


Department of Fisheries Thailand - Selling Bettas and betta tanks.
The person there is friendly and would introduce their items to you.


Betta Club Singapore - They have quite a lot of nice Betta on display,
They are also selling betta arcylic tank which I find is quite nice.



There are a total of 14 different fish for the International Fish competition categories.
They are : Dragon Fish, Discus, Goldfish, Guppy, Tetra, Pleco, Cichlids, Corydoras, Gourami, Molly, Platy, Swordtail, New Species/Varieties/New in Trade and Betta Splendens.

The Betta Splendens Competition details for Aquarama 2009 :
Competition fee = S$25 per entry
Number of fish per entry = 1
Maximum number of entries per participant per class = 3

CATEGORY 1 : HALFMOON
A1: Red STM (dark and light body)
A2: Black STM
A3: Red/Black DTM
A4: Dark Iridescent STM
A5: Dark Iridescent DTM
A6: Clear/Yellow/Orange STM
A7: Pastel/Opaque STM
A8: Light Solid DTM
A9: Bicolour/Patterned STM
A10: Bicolour/Patterned DTM
A11: Metallic Light-bodied STM/DTM
A12: Metallic Dark-bodied STM/DTM
A13: AOC STM
A14: AOC DTM

CATEGORY 2 : CROWNTAIL
B1: Dark Non-iridescent Red/Black CTM
B2: Dark Iridescent CTM
B3: Light Solid Colour CTM
B4: Bicolour/Patterned CTM
B5: Black Orchid CTM
B6: Metallic Light-bodied CTM
B7: Metallic Dark-bodied CTM
B8: AOC CTM

CATEGORY 3 : PLAKAT - SHOW/SYMMETRICAL/GIANT
C1: Red STM Plakat
C2: Black STM Plakat
C3: Blue STM Plakat
C4: Steel STM Plakat
C5: Green/Turquoise STM Plakat
C6: Clear/Yellow/Orange STM Plakat
C7: Pastel/Opaque STM Plakat
C8: Bicolour/Butterfly STM Plakat
C9: Marble/Grizzled/Multicolour STM Plakat
C10: Metallic Light-bodied STM Plakat
C11: Metallic Dark-bodied STM Plakat
C12: AOC STM Plakat
C13: Symmetrical Plakat
G2: Giant Plakat

Betta Splendens Prize :
Grand Champion : S$500 cash + Trophy
1st of each class : S$100 cash
2nd of each class : Medal
3rd of each class : Medal













This is one of the Betta that I like very much even though it wasn't a winner.




Below is a double winner for Cat B5 1st prize and also the Grand Champion of the Betta Splendens Competition.

Close up of the Grand Champion










1st prize winner for the Giant breed.

My Betta Splendens

Updated Post on 5 June 2009, 6 June 2009, 7 June 2009

Last Saturday, I went to visit Fish Farms and saw the many new different breeds of Betta Fish (Siamese Fighting Fish) and thus started to keep them again.
I used to keep them at my work place many years ago because they don't need an air pump.
They are also not fussy eater and they are colourful.
Only cons is that they cannot be housed together with each other.
More regular water change is required as there is no filtration system to clean up or break down the waste.
Now my table is rather messy with different tanks and containers.
I need to think of a better way to display the tanks neatly...heehee.
I'll be going to visit the Aquarama 2009 at Suntec City later this afternoon to see the Betta competition.
And also heard from my friend that there is someone selling Betta fish there too.
Below are some of my Betta fish that I'm keeping now :

Half Moon Betta


(Photo added on 5 June 2009)
This betta enjoy blowing bubbles!


Half Moon Betta


(Photo added on 5 June 2009)


Crowntail Betta


This is my favourite photo of this fish!


Dancing!


(Photo added on 5 June 2009)


Crowntail Betta


(Photo added on 5 June 2009)


Female Betta

Female Betta


Giant Betta


(Photo added on 5 June 2009)


(Photo added on 5 June 2009)
Playful little one, likes to play with the stones.


Post Additions on 5 June 2009:
This is where I keep my bettas.
Since they do not have any filtration systems in the tank, I usually do a water change of 50% every two days.
My problem is with the aquatic plant now, it doesn't seem to last long and about 2 days, it'll start to have a foul smell.
Hence, I've removed most of the plants from the tank even though the Bettas seems to like the plants very much.
Does anyone has any recommendations for hardy aquatic plants for Bettas?


Below are a few more additions Bettas I've just brought.




Betta


Half Moon


Half Moon Plakat




Half Moon Plakat




Half Moon Plakat




Post Additions on 6 June 2009 :

Three new additions to the family.
They seemed a little stress when they were introduced into the tank.
But they started to flare at their neighbours almost instantly...aggressive little ones.

Half Moon




Half Moon Plakat




Half Moon




Post Additions on 7 June 2009:

Mini Facts about Betta Splendens
Name : Siamese Fighting Fish
Nickname : The Jewel of the Orient
Scientific Name : Betta Splendens
Family : Osphronemidae - Gourami family, (formerly classified as Anabantidae)
Originate : Thailand (Formely known as Siam)
Nature Habitat : Living in Rice paddies, muddy waters, shallow waters, slow moving streams…etc.
Species Found : approx. 150 years ago
Size for Bettas : up to 2.5 inches (6cm)
Size for Giants Bettas : up to 3.1 inches (8cm)
Species Type : Freshwater Fish
Temperature : 25 - 30 degree C.
PH : 7
Lifespan : 2-3 years
Reproduction : Males build bubble nests, the bubbles acts as a support for eggs.
During the spawn, they will be circling each other.
The male will wrap himself around the female and when she released the eggs, they are fertilized and starts to sinks.
The male will bring the eggs and spit them into the bubblenest.
Female is to remove after spawning. Males will look after the eggs.
The eggs will be incubated for 24-30 hours and hatch in 2-3 days.
About three days later, the male is to be remove from the breeding tank.
Young swimming frys can be fed brine shirmps.