Thanh Hai, born in a family in Binh Thuy district in Can Tho city, dropped out after 9th grade and got married. He has a special passion for ornamental fish, especially betta fish.

Initially, Hai raised bettas "for fun". Gradually, people admired the beautiful, diverse fish swimming in the concrete tanks at his home, and wanted to buy the fish.

Recognizing the potential market, in 2017, Hai decided to start a business with betta fish with investment capital of VND5 million. The money was used to buy breeds, plastic containers and concrete tanks.

The betta fish have colorful fins and are known as fighting fish due to their combative nature.

According to Hai, their aggression is a natural gift because they look most beautiful when they are provoked or preparing to fight, with fins widely spread in a display of might, and their colors more vibrant and shimmering.

Experimenting with breeding and learning from visits to fish farms both domestically and internationally, Hai has gradually mastered producing high-quality betta fish.

"At first, I searched for information in newspapers and on social media, then I went directly to farms to learn from experienced fish breeders. The more I learned, the more I saw the economic potential of this species," Hai said.

Thanks to his skilled care, his farm has become increasingly well-known among ornamental fish enthusiasts. Currently, Hai has a 200 sq m tank, in which he raises 5,000-6,000 fish.

Hai raises six species of betta fish, primarily colorful strains like galaxy, nemo multicolor, metallic, and black nemo. These species are dazzlingly colorful and easy to raise, hence they are now popular among young people.

The average length of an adult betta fish is about two finger joints. This species eats small worms and mosquito larvae. Betta fish can be kept in glass tanks and plastic jars. Their average life expectancy is 2-3 years.

A beautiful betta fish is judged based on color and shape. From 3-4 months old, the fish begin to mature in color and form. During this time, they develop almost completely, and one can select the best pairs of parent fish for breeding.

Each month, Hai sells thousands of pairs of fish, priced VND200,000-500,000, which bring revenue of VND20-30 million. The beautiful, high-quality breeds can fetch several million dong. He makes videos himself to market the fish.

Hoai Thanh