The Uniqueness of Being a Male.

While convincing myself that Mellowmoon was a simple fish that just swam around and didn't do much, I knew judging without completely knowing him was wrong. Male betta fishes are actually one of the most unique fishes. Not only are they fighting fishes but they are also intelligent, curious fishes with lots of potential and personality. This week of observation has got me a little more closer to Mellowmoon and has made me realized how amazing my fish is. I noticed that Mellowmoon changes color depending on his mood. When he is intimidated he's more of a green color and his tale is a dark red, when he is calm and not scared he is his natural colors which are blue and purple. He is also more comfortable with my presence now and swims in circles as if he loves the fact that I am around.

I've been wanting to get Mellowmoon a female betta fish so they can mate and have eggs and to see how that would impact his life. After reading the article "How Do Betta Fish Mate And When?" by Michelle A. Rivera, I'm not so sure if I want to get Mellowmoon some company. Male betta fishes are territorial fishes and having two betta fishes together is life or death for them even if the fish is a female. The only time it's acceptable to have a female betta fish and a male betta fish together is when mating time is near.A way to know when it is mating season for a betta fish is by their colors. Once it's close to mating season, the female fish will get strips on her fish symbolizing mating season. Male betta fishes take a lot of responsibility when it comes to mating time. They create a bubble nest for the female fish to lay her eggs and when its time to give birth, the male fish does this thing where he hugs the female fish to squeeze her eggs out. It amazes me how much responsibility male fishes seem to take.

A male betta fish may bring a lot of curiosity but they sure do have a lot of talent. Little did I know a male betta fish can be trained to eat off our hands or possibly do tricks underwater. They also lay upside down. Which explains a lot that day my mom almost flushed Mellowmoon down the toilet because she though he was dead. They are also intimidated fishes that like to hide a lot and love plants because it makes them feel more like home and love to hide inbetween them.
One night as I was walking in the bathroom I saw my mom starring at Mellowmoon close to the toilet seat. As I asked her what was wrong she had said, "I think this fish is dead." I took a close look and I saw Mellowmoon upside down near the plant I had put in his tank. For a second I was sure that my fish was dead as well too but as a flashed my light on him, his eyes were moving and his fins were still moving too. "Its not dead mom! Its not dead!" I was yelling at my mom while pulling her arm down so she wouldn't flush Mellowmoon down the toilet. For a second my mom thought I just wanted to keep Mellowmoon at home but the next day while feeding him she saw he was swimming around but was close to his plant. He must really love his plant just like I love him.

(Picture by Edith Gonzalez)

Work Cited.

Rivera, Michelle A. “How Do Betta Fish Mate & When?” Animals.Pawnation.com. N.p. n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2014.