Betta fish are some of the hands down most beautiful fish one can own. They're easy to care for, charming and adorable. But I bet you don't know nearly as much about bettas as you think!

1. They Aren't Called Betta Fish!

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The common name for this fish is actually the Siamese Fighting fish, and betta splendens is their scientific name. For whatever reason, we started calling them bettas and never stopped.

2. Females can get testy too

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The aggression of males is well known among fish keepers, but females can be aggressive to each other as well. It's also worth mentioning that introducing species of a different kind to a betta's tank can be a hit or miss, so be careful.

3. Bettas need a heater

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While many people believe bettas are fine when left to their own devices, these fish are tropical, and therefore need a heater. When you have a heater, the setting should be at about 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. Bettas need space

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Betta bowl is tiny little glass domes that infamously hold betta fish. However, bettas need far more room than this in order for them to have a healthy lifestyle. A 2.5-gallon tank is a good minimum, and be sure to include places for them to hide and a slow-moving filter.

5. Bettas are intelligent!

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Bettas are a surprisingly intelligent species of fish and can learn faces, names and voices. They can be taught tricks and like to have a wide variety of food.