Catching Wild Bettas in their habitat in Thailand with underwater footage! - FranksBettas

Please Read!
Whilst on a trip to Pattaya, Thailand I decided to explore a thriving densely plant packed marshland in the middle of the city full of wild bettas Splendens. A water runoff from the city creates a lush marshland full of mosquitoes and food which provides plenty of food for wild bettas and croaking gourami's to inhabit.
As a conservationist I try my best to breed and re-release just like in my other videos however this time was a trip to just have some fun and see how this habitat was doing, As of 3/15/2021 half of this habitat has been filled in in by new projects creating an even more risk for this bloodline to one day vanish. It's lucky that I bought about 5 pairs back which have now raised over 1,000+ babies since the time of this video so hopefully one day we can relocate or re-lease back.
Q & A?
Why put them all in a small bottle?
Whilst catching these fish they must not be in too large of a container due to their aggressive behavior otherwise they'll fight and nip, using a small container or bottle has always been the ways and ensures that the fish does not fight.
Will holding with your hands be okay?
Yes I hold them for no more than 20 seconds at most and hands are almost always wet, this ensures their slimecoat does not get damaged.
Will nets and catching harm the fish?
Netting any fish will be stressful but this is the only method that has been used to catch these fish effectively and any damaged fins or scales will heal in a few days with meds and tannins.
To look and learn more about wild bettas You can follow my work by these socials.
FB page: / wildbettasthailand
Instagram: FranksBetta
website: www.franksbettas.com
Email: [e-mail]
WA [phone]

[@Franksbettas]

NEW HABITAT VIDEO IS UP! kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXeVdKGNoJionac

[@andrewchandler6488]

The underwater footage is my favorite part. It’s so amazing to get a glimpse into a world we often don’t get to see.

[@samg1879]

I'm surprised how clear the water actually is

[@GrandpaRedRum]

Ya same here. Wish there was more underwater footage than then scraping grass.

[@innerworldcrafts5218]

Trueeeeeeee

[@masterk5372]

Agree

[@broksii9035]

Ratio

[@Bobby11]

It was great to get a glimpse of what their natural environment is like.

[@Xavierkmx]

Where are the pink and blue rocks?

[@Zer-db1bp]

@@Xavierkmx hidden under all the detritus and debris.

[@valkiria1586]

You know that's it's fake right?

[@Bobby11]

@@valkiria1586 whats fake?

[@valkiria1586]

@@Bobby11 that it's their natural environment, they just put them there and stared to pick them up and act like the fish really live there. If they did they would be easily couch by birds and other animals

[@westwingaero]

your efforts for conservation of these species are incredible, will be getting more once shipping resumes

[@Franksbettas]

Thank you!

[@zalialyon1853]

Are you in the states?? Do you resell his bettas?

[@Franksbettas]

@@zalialyon1853 I only sell captive bred lines that i breed you can find me here facebook.com/wildbettasthailand

[@westwingaero]

@@zalialyon1853 unfortunately not, I buy as a hobbyist

[@MontanaPDX]

By catching wild betas to sell? It wasn't to far to go and catch them but it's to far to release? Nah, he just can't sell what he releases.

[@kerrypitt9789]

Frank this is important! Here in Canada, Bettas are horribly abused. Pet shops and people who do not understand their habitat, keeping them in 1.5 cups of water, hanging on a rack. The fish look depressed, when you are looking at them. They have no idea of how they actually live. It is disgusting! Thank you for one of the best Betta videos I've ever seen!! Well done!

[@pabloandrew38]

I bought 1 and put him in a 20 gallon heated tank by himself. You can't win though. If you save them you're supporting the industry.

[@AdelardRen]

I mean, the domestics are beautiful, with such a variety of colors, but the wild types are absolutely _stunning._ The colors and patterns are so unique. Beautiful area too.

[@mayadeppweber7790]

What u do is incredible. Not only do u breed them to keep their bloodline but u also show people that they dont actually live in small puddles and they love alot of space

[@virginiaorosco1340]

This was amazing to watch! As a betta lover, it’s so cool to see where they come from in the wild and see all the incredible work you do to preserve the species

[@Franksbettas]

Thank you!

[@damiangrouse4564]

@@Franksbettas Great vid. Is there a source for wild stock in the US?

[@Franksbettas]

@@damiangrouse4564 i ship dirrctly to usa

[@damiangrouse4564]

@@Franksbettas I don’t use Facebook or Twitter. Do you have a website with pricing & shipping info?

[@SamsonFernendez]

Omg, the betta at the end is prettier than any fancy types. Gorgeous!

[@effervescentrelief]

I'm a serious fan of wild types over the domestics.

[@arsjmedia5100]

“That’s my wife” ❤️ proud family.

[@DreamWriteCreate]

Love how you help to protect their natural habitats and always raise them with such care.

[@Raverzdreams]

Petco would say that's deep enough for a few whales

[@urielhernandez4319]

Yeah Petco and most US pet stores store fish so badly. They would see a really small bird fountain and go " Yo look at this perfect Megalodon tank "

[@Portnowthrifts]

They would put a pacu in a 5 gallon

[@jeffalbillar7625]

The few Petcos that I've been inside of have been very well kept.

[@jeffalbillar7625]

@@urielhernandez4319 how would you know? Are you from the United States?

[@urielhernandez4319]

@@jeffalbillar7625 Yeah, i wouldn't have said that if I was from somewhere out of the US lol, wouldn't make any sense

[@epe-equestrianpatterneduca6184]

I love that this is educational about where they come from within Thailand as well as their environment

[@Franksbettas]

Thanks for watching! 😊

[@delmen8438]

Honestly really happy that you're trying to conserve the natural species!!

[@solum_mirari5925]

It’s amazing how naturally colorful and beautiful these fish are. The fancy domesticated breeds are gorgeous, I have a lavender dumbo myself, but you’ve got to admire how pretty nature made the wild bettas.

[@jade3987]

I absolutely adore wilds over fancy and domestics, I love what you're doing here and your dedication to the species!!

[@masterk5372]

Agree

[@masterk5372]

Hi jade where from if u don’t mind me asking

[@qpaintsalot6286]

Control your hormones

[@christopherlee445]

I feel like you're trying to be very careful with how you word things and what you say to not upset people. It's a shame so many people don't realize what you're doing is necessary and beneficial not only for people in the hobby but the bettas as well. Edit: just noticed your instagram, copper aliens are beautiful O.o I am curious about that new color variant as well post info please.

[@Franksbettas]

Yes i just had to explain in it a way people who are new to understand before they take the wrong judgement

[@faes6471]

I'd love to see a video just of underwater, like 5 minutes long maybe of a place with some interesting fish swimming around in it. Like 5 minutes of those massive gouramis would be awesome. Great video tho, glad to see a good update

[@aw3ff340]

The Guuramis weren't massive just seemed large on camera.

[@impoisonivy2130]

The work you do is amazing! Conservation of wild bettas is so important to the success of the species and their dying habitat.

[@dreamo5478]

Animals being documented in their own environment instead of one man made is beautiful thank you for the betta videos I cannot wait for more

[@MultiRainday]

When you talked about the snakehead and the ecosystem you deserved my like and subscribe.

[@IMaqua]

Thanks Frank for all the conservation work and trying to save these beautiful creatures. Wild bettas are so interesting to observe.

[@lvscarystories8919]

You make me miss Thailand. Catching wild betta is on my top ten to-do list.

[@Xbounmy]

Would love to see more underwater footage if possible frank.

[@zyern2822]

PLEASE

[@klcpca]

The way we keep fish in the hobby is vastly different that their natural habitat ... it's surprising they actually survive in our care...

[@Nitidus]

The Copper Alien pair that I got from you arrived so incredibly healthily. They adjusted without any problem and were fully colored after just one day. Very little signs of stress, even though they traveled around half the globe to get to me. The male looks like in your promo videos, I honestly didn't expect that. Thought those were only the best ones, not the average. I'm so happy with the purchase and will be back for more someday!

[@Marketsolo]

I lived in Bangkok years ago and this brings back happy memories!

[@livecamtravel8386]

Where in Thailand they can be found ?

[@Marketsolo]

Brackish low water..or in large urns of water where they kept the mosquito larva down.

[@Franksbettas]

Edit: permenent conservation pond project idea for those wondering how i am also helping them-- m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1336188373413429&id=493896427642632 Please Read! Whilst on a trip to Pattaya, Thailand I decided to explore a thriving densely plant packed marshland in the middle of the city full of wild bettas Splendens. A water runoff from the city creates a lush marshland full of mosquitoes and food which provides plenty of food for wild bettas and croaking gourami's to inhabit. As a conservationist I try my best to breed and re-release just like in my other videos however this time was a trip to just have some fun and see how this habitat was doing, As of 3/15/2021 half of this habitat has been filled in in by new projects creating an even more risk for this bloodline to one day vanish. It's lucky that I bought about 5 pairs back which have now raised over 1,000+ babies since the time of this video so hopefully one day we can relocate or re-lease back. Q & A? Why put them all in a small bottle? Whilst catching these fish they must not be in too large of a container due to their aggressive behavior otherwise they'll fight and nip, using a small container or bottle has always been the ways and ensures that the fish does not fight. Will holding with your hands be okay? Yes I hold them for no more than 20 seconds at most and hands are almost always wet, this ensures their slimecoat does not get damaged. Will nets and catching harm the fish? Netting any fish will be stressful but this is the only method that has been used to catch these fish effectively and any damaged fins or scales will heal in a few days with meds and tannins. To look and learn more about wild bettas You can follow my work by these socials. FB page: facebook.com/wildbettasThailand/ Instagram: instagram.com/FranksBetta website: www.franksbettas.com Email: [e-mail] WA [phone]

[@calvenwong8881]

Wow you have some serious dedication😄

[@henrikg785]

Your work there is amazing!

[@Lazy_Fish_Keeper]

So, what date did you originally visit this wetland area? It's a shame to hear that Thailand has not learned from the capitalist mistakes of the west....

[@Franksbettas]

@@Lazy_Fish_Keeper back in december, this place has now been filled in by nee goverment project

[@mikaelafox6106]

@@Franksbettas What?!?! That’s terrible!!! All of those bettas that you guys caught were very lucky. That makes me sad to think of all of the bettas and other fish they killed.

[@FamiliarOddlings]

Thank you for making these videos! It's amazing to see not only the habitat (and underwater too!) But also the process. Thank you for explaining about the plastic bags as well - it's so important to keep everyone informed about conservation and keeping the wild species going!

[@keemixvico975]

"Don't worry betta don't live in big pond in nature" The pond :

[@Vcaser]

Thank you so much for the underwater footage, it is very educational! I know my big half moon never lived in the wild, but he instinctively appreciates all the plants I have grown for him to hide in and swim through. Thanks for all you do!

[@squigglesalamode3276]

It’s honestly so amazing to see wild bettas in their natural habitats. Thank you for your conservation efforts :)

[@blackosprey2219]

HOLY- that is a drop-dead gorgeous fish! I'd actually consider giving bettas another chance if I could get ahold of one of those.

[@robinleelee8729]

I loved seeing the natural habitat. Such a great thing you do for the bettas, thank you for that. I love these guys so much, so special and personable.

[@eliml5181]

i love KZbinrs from asia that speaking English fluently. Your my top 2 in my list

[@djplumking]

i love the conservation efforts you do in addition to breeding the beautiful guys you breed! hopefully you can keep up the little pond bog like areas and keep the wild types going.

[@Franksbettas]

Thank you!

[@daltonmuncie4241]

Thank you Frank for caring enough about this world to help keep it clean. 😊

[@Nurais89]

Can u make a short video about the crab, id and details.

[@sarahyvonne847]

I would love any pick that you choose! Thank you so much for all you do keeping the wild bettas alive and populating! We appreciate you Frank! ♥️

[@bubthewub]

Was just looking at your Bettas yesterday. Would be amazing if I won such a high quality fish! Thanks for the Betta content

[@craigdavidson4845]

I love that carriage yall riding in! Ingenuity at its best!

[@SuryaPrakash-su4yd]

I prefer wilds more than any other bettas, I would love to have al kinds of wild species 😍😍

[@Franksbettas]

Thanks for watching!

[@SuryaPrakash-su4yd]

@@Franksbettas ua welcome Mr.Frank and I love the video 😍

[@fumaaa5643]

Idk man, ive caught wild livebearers and they arent as colorful as the captive bred

[@pogga3051]

Niceeeee better than those fake ytber realising bettas and recatch them 😌

[@jaz58107]

I didn't even know these existed in the wild like that - just watched a video of award winning Plakats and this one was exactly the same as the one in the video. Mind...blown😍😍😍

[@primesspct2]

Fascinating! Thank you so much Frank for sharing this with me! I am a massive Betta lover! No tank is complete without a resident betta! Their colors are just stunning!

[@Wildfire275]

Wow, that male you showed at the end is gorgeous! The conservation work you do to help these wild populations is amazing. Definitely will be getting a betta from your breeding lines one day.

[@cherriethomas9538]

I am just in awe at the creation in nature and the difference in each fish the spots in the outlines are just incredible I love betas I love learning new things about them. Blessings thank you for your videos may you have much favor making many more.

[@Pineanana]

I love seeing the environments you find these fish in. It's so sad that the developing world can't develop around nature and accept it as part of the design. They were recently talking about putting in a wildlife bridge over a highway near me. There's always solutions to help wildlife and humans.

[@luxuriantten1854]

In my country, the Netherlands, we have many of those wildlife bridges! They connect dozens of nature reserves which are separated by highways. We also have many tunnels underneath roads for animals to cross safely :)

[@BMWS1000RRR]

when i was a child, I used to go fishing in the fields and catch lots of wild bettas. absolutely beautiful specimens.

[@allyssa6053]

It's so cool that you can just go out and scoop up some beautiful fish. My betta just passed away and I wish I could go on a Betta hunting adventure!

[@Zamiiz]

Thank you for the underwater shots, nice to see real videos of where they live so i can replicate them at home

[@KatDK94]

Those floating plants looks absolutely beautiful 😍

[@ChrisTv1205]

I've been into bettas since my childhood but i never new there's a lot i still don't know about them! Thank you for sharing the knowledge!! I love your bettas by the way!!

[@g.keshanraj]

Hello sir. I love your videos and love the way you trying to save the native bettas from extinct. Huge respect for your effort from Malaysia. 💯❤️

[@cking8776]

Bettas are so majestic!!! Keep up the great work maintaining the wild bettas!!!

[@UnchainedWispy]

That eel was pretty cool. Are they common, could you possibly do a feature about them at some point? Honestly I love the look at the various species in that environment. Keep up the good work!

[@TheeExecrationist]

Great video Frank! I love the footage of the native habitats and the other species that share this wetland ecosystem.

[@Franksbettas]

Glad you liked it Riley!

[@davidrsoria]

Hey, love the fish, love your passion, keep up the great work, very glad you're trying to protect and save these amazing fish!

[@Franksbettas]

Thanks so much David!

[@CLuigiplayer]

To be honest I´d much rather keep wild-type bettas than the fancy ones. These look absolutely stunning!

[@jackfreezes5597]

I’ve always wandered how their natural habitats look like since it’s quite complicated to breed them. Now my question is answered. Great video 🔥❤️👍

[@biffdanielson2820]

Bettas are the most curious and interactive fish I've had. I absolutely love them.

[@Franksbettas]

They sure are!

[@katiebug217]

What were those floating plants called? You said you'd name them in editing but didn't 😥🥺

[@h.r.9563]

My disappointment is immeasurable

[@akabga]

Same

[@elina7038]

I found another comment where he had answered the same question :) He says the plant is Salvinia molesta

[@line4381]

The male betta at the end of video is so awesome! I had to pause work to check it's details. Amazing!

[@giacomobura940]

I was waiting for a new video lo learn more about them thank you! Wish to find more people as you that they clean the environment! Let's hope I'll be lucky! My new thank is waiting for a new betta!

[@Oh_Hell_No_6969]

Those Wild Greens are truly Beautiful! WOW!

[@wolfshunned]

Awesome video! I cannot believe how beautiful that male colored up after a few weeks. I thought wilds were dark in color, even after acclimating, that fish was gorgeous!

[@moritzlaszlo3115]

Thank you for being so considerate about the environment ❤

[@sharonjack7239]

Very INTERESTING!! I do hope the eel got released too. I like how you put the other wild ones like the snakehead fish back to keep the ecosystem. THANKS for a wonderful video!! USA

[@SorosPhuvix]

This is super helpful if you're trying to give your betta the best tank you can. I tried to give mine what I could, and he always looked happy/curious whenever I moved things around when I cleaned the tank.

[@kedsq]

The colors of that male is stunning!

[@Franksbettas]

I know right!?

[@ravithejasuresh1266]

@@Franksbettas u have really good bloodline my friend

[@madmaxfishtanks9254]

Holy this video is awesome ! Especially with the show off at the end. Greets from Germany, Max

[@Franksbettas]

Thank you!

[@neppgaming]

I like how the tone of your voice changes when you speak thai and english

[@kengaroo6528]

My English and Hmong voice is quite similar too 🤔

[@SPeter.]

I love your videos. Keep up the good work brotha. ❤️💙

[@czechaoife5124]

I loved this video a lot. I really enjoyed seeing the environment splendens lives in. I keep mahachaiensis, so I would appreciate seeing habitat of these too. ;-) Good luck!

[@Franksbettas]

Maybe one day i can take the trip!

[@maggiepie8810]

It's really cool that you're doing this for the sake of conservation. Judging by their natural habitats, it seems like a captive fancy betta would favour a relatively shallow tank with more floor space and a lot of plants.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Loved it Frank. You must take us fishing with you again. The part with the plastic bags was hard to watch but hopefully someone operating similar to yourself as you said. 🤞 Really enjoyed the video anyway. Take care bud.

[@luckycharm1]

I wish to be a kid again and just catch these bettas all day everyday. So fun!

[@christiancarlzarsuelo4679]

That youtube channel who's catching fancy Bettas in the wild habitat. I think they're responsible for that plastics lol 😂

[@mrernestsim]

Have not got a wild betta in my collection yet. Nice video!

[@parvusbellator7802]

I am very open to see more about the habitats where these little guys living. Maybe I can copy a bit for the little guy at home. 🙂

[@gupiegup]

I’m so glad you’re back with another video !

[@gupiegup]

It’s been too long :)

[@Franksbettas]

Sure has! Ive just been super busy and my computer broke so had to wait untill a new one was available to use for editing haha

[@kayleajenkins4460]

They're so pretty to look at. Such large personalities in a small body

[@srinivas345]

I like how you care about their habitat. Respect

[@iamSketchH]

Wading in that water, I'd be afraid of mosquitos, water snakes (like venomous water moccasins), leeches, snapping turtles, alligators... Where I grew up, you could hear alligators in the woods bellowing by the waterside. We have crocodiles, too. But I think they're more rare. Love these videos! I think it would be cool to set up beta tanks to look like the underwater shots you made. ♥

[@lindalovell9796]

I am so please that you are an eco friendly fish enthusiast. Love it. 👍👍👍

[@jimzmanobie958]

I LIKE THIS WILD TYPE BETTA BUT ITS SO EXPENSIVE DAMN IL CHOOSE CB BETTA THAN WC

[@baileechilders1760]

I have always wanted a wild betta because of there unique colors. They are unlike any betta I have right now. They are absolutely beautiful! 🥰

[@harrygoldberg2164]

Great video, good luck to everyone on the giveaway, been looking to get a wild so hope I win!

[@adnanbinsaleh7685]

I really appreciate you showing us this amazing content. Watching this from Saudi Arabia

[@sarahyvonne847]

Please set up a gofundme for the recent demolition that happened to one of your habitats. I will look forward to seeing it on your Facebook. You deserve all the help! Thank you for all you do! -RahRah Yvonne

[@fishywishy5434]

You and Mr pisces the cryptic fish are my favorite fishtubers! Keep it up! 💯

[@Sprinkesbakeshop]

“Bettas can live in a cup” so can ppl that doesn’t mean we should look at how large their natural homes are! Give your bettas 20 gal longs at least. There’s also tons of betta rescues 💙

[@goosesnap5386]

20 gallons is a lot for a betta, it would be wasting space for long finned bettas who are less active. 5 gallons is great.

[@Sprinkesbakeshop]

@@goosesnap5386 It's not great and you wouldn't know that until you've given your betta a large amount of room and see how much they flourish. Fish need stimulation and as much room to swim as we can spare. If all you can give is 5 then don't get one. "Less active" is happening because of depression in the fish.

[@treyb2919]

Super cool! Especially the underwater footage. Never seen a gourami nest in the wild. Thank you

[@CWildex]

Don’t mine me, just trying to win a copper alien male

[@simongrimwood5942]

Wow how clear the water is! Beautiful

[@Franksbettas]

Thank you!

[@Jazzfeather]

I am so glad you are back to posting videos! I love seeing their natural environment, especially with the underwater footage.

[@Mopar063]

Awesome video thanks for the opportunity to have one of your amazing fish frank!

[@みるく-w3k3p]

I'm so glad to see this kind of video. You are so nice to for young bettas and nature. That's why We can get beautiful wild bettas in Japan. I really appreciate for you to keep nature world for wild bettas.

[@petercost2295]

Thanks Frank from France for all your work and for the quality of yours bettas !

[@aliciahamorsky6568]

Thank you for educating the world about these beautiful creatures.

[@JeepinReefer406]

I love what you are doing for the wild population of Bettas!

[@Pccpy]

I used to do this in Thailand in the 90s. It was fun catching bettas.