Important Betta Fish Vocabulary

For your convenience, I have provided a list of of vital words and terms to help you through your journey as a betta keeper.

•  pH: A number to demonstrate the acidity or alkalinity of a specific substance, neutral being 7. The higher the number, the more alkaline or basic; the lower the number, the more acidic.
• Caudal Fin: The back fin of the betta fish.
• Dorsal Fin: The top fin of the betta fish that works as a rudder for the betta, allowing him/her to steer through the water.  
• Ventral Fin: Also known as the anal fin, this is the bottom fin of the betta. 
• Pelvic Fins: In front of the ventral fin, there are two of these thin, long fins on the betta fish. 
• Pectoral Fins: The little fins on the side of the betta's face that help the betta swim forward. 
• Operculum: The bony structure on the face that covers the gills. 
• Branchiostegal Membrane: A curved bone underneath the operculum that supports the gill memebrane. 
• Labyrinth Organ: An organ in Gourami fish that allow them to breathe oxygen from the air. This lets them live in low-oxygen water. 
• Indian Almond Leaf/Catappa Leaf/IAL: A leaf used to mimic a betta's natural habitat by altering the pH of the water. 
• Chemistry:
• pH: A number to demonstrate the acidity or alkalinity of a specific substance, neutral being 7. The higher the number, the more alkaline or basic; the lower the number, the more acidic.
• Nitrate: “a salt or ester of nitric acid, or any compound containing the univalent group –ONO 2 or NO3.” (Dictionary.com) The ideal level is 10-20 ppm (parts per million).
• Nitrite: “a salt or ester of nitrous acid.” (Dictionary.com) the ideal level is zero.
• Ammonia: A chemical found in urine (in this case fish urine) with the chemical formula NH3. It is not good for betta fish. The ideal level is zero.