Betta Fish

Betta splendens

The betta fish (Betta splendens), often called the Siamese fighting fish, is a small labyrinth fish originally associated with shallow waters of Thailand and nearby Southeast Asian regions. Wild-type bettas are shorter-finned and less showy than many aquarium strains, using surface air breathing to survive in warm, still, low-oxygen habitats. Selective breeding has produced long fins, plakat fighting lines, giant forms, koi and marble patterns, metallic colors, and many tail types.

Aquarium care for bettas should start with warm, clean, filtered water and a covered tank with gentle flow, not an unheated vase. Males are usually kept singly because they can fight, and females also need careful grouping if kept together. Bettas eat insect-based prepared foods and small frozen or live foods, with overfeeding and poor water quality causing many problems. Breeders use bubble-nest spawning, controlled pair introductions, and separate grow-out space for young fish. The name betta covers many strains, so fin type and health are more useful buying clues than color alone.