Siamese Fighting Fish

The Siamese fighting fish, also known as the betta, are a very popular aquarium fish. The small bodies of the fish make their fins appear even larger. They build bubble nests and they are in the gourami family. The fish in the Anabantoidei suborder are known as anabantoids or labyrinth fish.

Bettas originate in the shallow waters of Mekong basin of Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and parts of China. These areas are home to acres of rice paddies, ponds, slow moving streams, swamps and in standing waters of canals, rice paddies, and floodplains all of which are home to Bettas.

Betta Splendens

view-source:

Bettas are famous for how they “flare” their fins when disturbed or threatened. The male Veiltail Betta will attack another Betta and have been known to attack similar-looking fish. It is recommended that only one Male Betta is housed in an aquarium with plants.

The Betta splendens species prefer a warmer water climate than other tropical fish preferably around 77-86 Degrees Fahrenheit (25-30 Degrees Celsius).

They have an organ known as the labyrinth organ which allows them to breathe air at the water’s surface. This organ allows labyrinth fish to take in oxygen directly from the air, instead of taking it from the water in which they reside through use of gills.

Male Betta’s are very territorial and if put in a close enough environment attack another Betta or similar sized fish. Generally they are best kept in a tank by themselves.