Siamese Fighting Fish

The Siamese fighting fish is a small and colourful carnivorous species of fish found in the Mekong River that runs through a number of countries in south-east Asia.

The Siamese fighting fish is native to the Mekong delta in south-east Asia and although the Siamese fighting fish can today be found naturally in Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia, it is thought to have originated from Thailand.

The Siamese fighting fish was given its name in Thai "ikan bettah",  which means biting fish! The Siamese fighting fish is known for its feisty temperament displayed towards other males and smaller species of fish and can often display very aggressive behaviour towards any animals that the Siamese fighting fish sees as a threat towards it.

The Siamese fighting fish is easily recognised due to the beautiful colours displayed on the body of the Siamese fighting fish. Siamese fighting fish also have long and elaborate coloured fins, which are longer on the male Siamese fighting fish than the fins of the female Siamese fighting fish. The fins of the Siamese fighting fish look particularly elaborate due to the fact that the body of the Siamese fighting fish is relatively small.

The Siamese fighting fish is a carnivorous species of animals and therefore, the diet Siamese fighting fish is meat based. Siamese fighting fish mainly eat insects and brine shrimp and also the larger food particles that are part of the plankton in the water.

Due to its small size, bright colours and long, attractive fins, the Siamese fighting fish is preyed about by many other animals. The predators of the Siamese fighting fish include larger fish, cats, newts, salamanders, birds and humans who catch the Siamese fighting fish to keep in tanks at home.

The Siamese fighting fish mate in a fashion that involves the male Siamese fighting fish and female Siamese fighting fish spiralling around each other. Between 10 and 45 eggs are released and fertilized at each embrace. Once the female Siamese fighting fish has released all of her eggs, she is chased away from the territory of the male Siamese fighting fish, as it is likely that she'll eat the eggs. The male Siamese fighting fish carefully keeps every egg in his bubble nest, making sure none fall to the bottom, and repairing the bubble nest as needed. The incubation period of the eggs of the Siamese fighting fish is a few days. The Siamese fighting fish only lives for up to 5 years, but the Siamese fighting fish normally will only get to the age of 2 or 3.

The Siamese fighting fish is a fairly hassle-free fish to keep in a small aquarium where there only a few fish. The Siamese fighting fish is also a popular aquarium fish due to its brightly coloured body and elaborate fins. The Siamese fighting fish only has a short lifespan though which means that they won't get to as old as the fish in the garden pond!

View all 63 animals that start with S

Sources:
1. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2011) Animal, The Definitive Visual Guide To The World's Wildlife
2. Tom Jackson, Lorenz Books (2007) The World Encyclopedia Of Animals
3. David Burnie, Kingfisher (2011) The Kingfisher Animal Encyclopedia
4. Richard Mackay, University of California Press (2009) The Atlas Of Endangered Species
5. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2008) Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Animals
6. Dorling Kindersley (2006) Dorling Kindersley Encyclopedia Of Animals