Buriram as another spectrum of Smaragdina beauty

 

Buriram as another spectrum of Smaragdina beauty
Author: Abdul Aziz
Source: Nikhom Chai In
No. 3, August 2023

At that time I watched a football match between Thailand against Indonesia which was located at a stadium in Thailand. Largely written on the stadium was Buriram's name. A very familiar name in my ear.
I then opened Google and typed the name Buriram, it listed the description of buriram as an area in Thailand. Then i opened facebook and searched for Buriram, the name Nikhom Chai-in appeared.
The Nikhom Chain-in account displays photos and videos of Buriram betta fish with various lines. I see some similarities and also differences from smaragdina in general.
I am so curious and asked him directly about the beginning of Buriram and also its development.

Nikhom Chai In explained that Buriram is Smaragdina with the full name Smaragdina Buriram according to the location it was first discovered. He bred Buriram when he was 8-9 years old.

Smaragdina's origin is from the northeastern region of Thailand and according to Nikhom Chai-in's explanation, Buriram is a province in the region. Buriram has unique characteristics and is different from Smaragdina which comes from other regions. Buriram has a long color, scales and fins. That is the reason why Nikhom Chai In chose to cultivate this type of fish.

Smaragdina's origin is from the northeastern region of Thailand and according to Nikhom Chai-in's explanation, Buriram is a province in the region. Buriram has unique characteristics and is different from Smaragdina which comes from other regions. Buriram has a long color, scales and fins. That is the reason why Nikhom Chai In chose to cultivate this type of fish.
Currently, Buriram betta fish can still be found in nature. Nikhom Chai In developed it to what it is today with the aim of creating a more beautiful buriram than before.
Its success made the Buriram betta fish famous in Thailand. Buriram enthusiasts are not only from Thailand but also abroad.

Nikhom Chai In cultivates Smaragdina Buriram betta fish not only for love of the fish but also aiming to preserve this native Thai endemic. He added that from year to year the threat of extinction of this species is getting real. He sees the importance of preserving this endemic by way of cultivation and releasing it back to its natural habitat.
Breeding must also condition the place where it lives like its natural habitat. Nikhom Chai In put aquatic plants and algae so that the fish will feel comfortable and will also reproduce optimally.

Our conversation ends there. I don't want to disturb his busy life, but thanks to the kindness of Nikhom Chai In, he sent lots of photos of the original habitat and also the basic differences between Smaragdina and Smaragdina Buriram. I can't show everything in this article. I put the photos on IWBC's social media accounts, both Instagram and Facebook pages.
We all hope that wild betta fish breeding activities in any country will continue so that our children and grandchildren will not only see the beauty of these fish only from the Google image page.
(AA)

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