The Betta Bible: The Art and Science of Keeping Bettas By Dr Martin Brammah
Everything you ever wanted to know about bettas in one place.
The Siamese fighting fish Betta splendens (commonly known as the betta) is one of the most attractive and popular tropical freshwater aquarium fish of all time. Despite this, newcomers to the hobby often struggle to find the information they need to truly master keeping and breeding this spectacular fish for themselves.
In The Betta Bible, Dr Martin Brammah combines the collective knowledge of some of the world’s most well respected betta enthusiasts with his own hands on experience of keeping and breeding bettas, in order to put all of that information within your grasp. Over 300 pages long and containing than 150 colour photographs, The Betta Bible covers every aspect of the hobby, from taxonomy, anatomy and history right through to the various types of betta, how to breed them and their genetics.
Whether you are thinking of buying your first betta, or simply looking to improve your betta breeding skills, this book is for you!
“A must read for both the novice and experienced betta hobbyist alike.”
Dr Joep H. M. van Esch (co founder of the Bettas4all Standard) The Betta Bible: The Art and Science of Keeping Bettas
Really helpful book. Although I didn't personally need all of the genes and breeding info, its reassuring to see that this author has that level of understanding. Due to his academic background in biology, he has that thorough approach to understanding and relating the information. He is a member and advisor of an international forum on Bettas and shows them too. As a keeper and breeder he has that practical side covered as well. This guy knows his stuff!I'm a complete newcomer to the world of fish keeping and am really glad I've got a book I feel I can rely on to help me along. This book is very thorough and so is suitable for the established Betta keeper and beginner alike. For beginners, just skip the bits on genes etc, which may not be relevant now. You might want to come back to them in the future as you grow into the subject. There is than plenty there which is useful to know from the start. 1508888469
EXCELENTE YA TENGO EL MIO, MUCHAS GRACIAS POR LA AYUDA Y QUIERO FELICITARLOS POR ESTE GRAN TRABAJO A TODOS USTEDES 1508888469 This is the most comprehensive book I have read on betta so far. It addresses every aspect of keeping and enjoying the genus of fish and covers than the other books I have read compiled into one.Loses 1 star for me due to the frankly huge section on fighting and using the fish as sport which in my opinion, although it is a big part of the history of the fish, is not something to encourage and some of the wording of this section almost suggests that it isn't as bad as people may think. This may well be the case but again, I don't think this is something to encourage.Every other aspect of the book is however, excellent. 1508888469 I bought this book via and received it on Friday afternoon, I read it cover to cover by Sunday evening and I loved it! By far the most informative Betta Book I have found and English too. Personally, I have no objection to the section on fighting the fish as it is part of their development and their history.While I was greatly impressed generally with its content and quality I was very surprised and disappointed at the number of errors in its composition, it suffers from a poor proof reading I am afraid and I hope it will be rectified for the next edition.I am just returning to the hobby after many years away and I will definitely use this book to guide me keeping and breeding Bettas.A fine work Doctor! 1508888469 Many years ago (High School years) I raised and bred a couple Veiltail Bettas. So, I felt that I knew something about Bettas. When reading this book it became apparent that there is so very much to Bettas. You don't know what you don't know!The interest, enthusiasm and research of the book is infectious. An informative book that will help the longevity of your Betta. After reading the book I came away with significant knowledge about the Betta in terms of its origins, nature, composition and requirements. A must have book if you want to breed the Betta. At first I was put off on the chapter on fighting and most certainly do not approve of it. However, it does give one important information about the Betta's nature.The information on home made filters and food are good additions to the book. The chapter on Genetics took me back to my University days.My only qualm with the book is that the Chapter on Disease needs expanding (i.e. additional types of diseases) and images.I highly recommend this book for anyone who has an interest in Betta fish. After reading the book you can attend any Betta conference / show and be able to talk the talk and walk the walk. 1508888469 This is a fascinating and detailed book that covers all the basics of betta keeping and loads besides. The focus of the book is the breeding of bettas, but even though I'm not a breeder I found the details of betta genetics, colouring, and fin types extremely comprehensive and of great interest. I recalled all of my past and present bettas as I was reading, fitting them into their relevant categories and learning about them than I'd ever realised. The science is thorough, the photos are stunning (my only regret was buying this on Kindle and having to view the pictures in black and white), and the author's passion for his subject comes through in every chapter. I was a little unsure why he continually promoted the use of aged water as opposed to using a much simpler and effective dechlorinator, but the rest of his fishkeeping advice is great, and if I ever decide to breed bettas, this will be my handbook.My only reservation, and the reason I've knocked off a star, stems from the fact that Mr Brammah refers repeatedly to the practice of betta fighting without ever condemning it. He calls it 'controversial', he mentions that it's illegal in the UK, and he certainly doesn't encourage the practice outright, but his overall feeling seems to be admiration for those who breed and fight bettas in Asia. I have no doubt that we owe a great deal of betta species knowledge and breeding practice to the people who first captured and bred them, and I'm sure there is a wealth of useful experience and wisdom among the Asian fighting breeders today. None of that, however, makes it acceptable to force two animals to fight one another for 'sport' and profit. Dog fighting, cock fighting, bear baiting these are all practices that we have outlawed in Western society, and fish fighting is no less stressful and damaging to the animals involved. Anyone who has kept bettas knows they are highly intelligent, inquisitive fish with huge personalities. The idea of forcing them to fight does not sit well with any betta keepers I know, and I was disappointed that Mr Brammah failed to express any personal discomfort at the practice.That said, I would still recommend this book to anyone with an interest in bettas, their care, and their history and if you've ever considered breeding them, look no further. 1508888469