Siamese Fighting Fish

The Siamese fighting fish, also known as the betta, is second only to the goldfish in popularity as a home aquarium pet.

It is an aggressive, colorful fish that is native to Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia by way of the Mekong Delta. It is also present in Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, and Malaysia and is a non-threatening invasive species in Australia, Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Singapore, and the southeastern United States. The active, solitary fish makes for a lively, exciting pet.

5 Incredible Siamese Fighting Fish facts!

• Although “betta” can refer to 72 other species of the Betta genus, it is used specifically for the species with the scientific name Betta splendens.
• “Siamese fighting fish” refers to the Betta splendens species in order to avoid confusion with the other species of the genus.
• Both male and female bettas are aggressive, but the females are less intense and territorial.
• The betta’s highly aggressive nature is due to artificial selection, although it is aggressive in the wild.
• The fish spawn with the males building bubble nests, after which they protect the eggs and raise the young.

Siamese Fighting Fish Classification and Scientific Name

The scientific name of the Siamese fighting fish is Betta splendens. It is one of 73 species of the Betta genus. Betta comes from the word “Bettah” meaning “an ancient clan of warriors.” All bettas are of the Osphronemidae family. They are also Gourami, a term that includes the Helostomatidae and Anabantidae families. They are labyrinth fish, meaning they have a lung-like organ known as a labyrinth which they use to gulp air near the surface of the water and allows them to live in low-oxygen habitats.

Siamese Fighting Fish Species

Although the Siamese fighting fish is the popular Betta species as a home aquarium pet, there are several other species that have a conservation status of Threatened. Several Betta species have a Vulnerable conservation status according to the IUCN Red List. The species with the scientific name B. livida is Endangered, and B. miniopinna, B. persephone, and B. spilotogena are Critically Endangered.

Siamese Fighting Fish Appearance

Siamese fighting fish are small fish that can have several possible colors. While dark blue and dark red are common colors, they may also be grey, black, red, orange, yellow, gold, blue, white, violet, or even multicolored. Each species is characterized by its tails, and the betta has a typically long tail fin. Additionally, there are differences in appearance between wild and captive bettas, with the main difference between the shape of their fins and their colors. Those in captivity have brighter colors, although both display brighter colors when feeling threatened. All have a torpedo-shaped body with upturned mouths that they use to eat from the water surface.

Siamese Fighting Fish Distribution, Population, and Habitat

Siamese fighting fish are native to the Mekong Delta and are most populous in the Chao Phraya River. Their population size is unknown, but it has been observed to be uncommon given its range of habitat. It is an invasive species in Singapore, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Guam Saipan, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, Hawaii, Alaska, Connecticut, Texas, and Florida, but it is not disruptive to the natural ecosystems according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Habitat destruction, pollution, cold temperatures, and predators have decreased its population in the wild. While in captivity, proper care involves keeping them at a warm freshwater tropical temperature of 74-80 degrees Fahrenheit.

All betta species are anabantoids, meaning they use a unique organ called a labyrinth to breathe in low-oxygen environments such as large puddles, drainage ditches, rice paddies and slow-moving streams. The labyrinth organ is lung-like and allows them to breathe directly from the air.

Siamese Fighting Fish Predators and Prey

Bettas are carnivorous and consume zooplankton, brine shrimp, daphnia and other small crustaceans, bloodworms, and the larvae of aquatic insects, including that of mosquitos. The two biggest threats to wild bettas are habitat destruction and pollution. Its predators are larger fish, cats, newts, salamanders, and birds. Humans also reduce their numbers in the wild by capturing them to house them in captivity as pets or for fighting competitions with other males. They have been bred specifically for aggression in Thailand.

Siamese Fighting Fish Reproduction and Lifespan

Bettas reproduce through spawning, starting with a mating dance in which the male and female spiral around each other. The male builds a bubble nest and proceeds to guard the eggs as well as raise the young. Gestation is 24-36 hours and the young stay in the nest until their bodies absorb their yolk sacs. The typical lifespan of the betta is 3-5 years with proper care.

Siamese Fighting Fish in Fishing and Cooking

Siamese fighting fish are too small to be eaten, although large Gourami fish with the scientific name Osphronemus goramy are eaten in southeast Asian countries and Sundanese cuisine.

Siamese Fighting Fish Population

The betta’s conservation status in the wild is Vulnerable as a result of its declining population and the possibility of becoming endangered without conservation efforts.

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