Betta fish are small fresh water fish that are part of the Osphronemidae family. Once the eggs are in the nest and mom is gone, the male fish guards the eggs and takes care of them, fighting off anything that gets too close. Next Post Next post: South Florida Intracoastal Fish Species. This species is native to the Mekong basin of Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand. The Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens), also known as the betta, is a popular fish in the aquarium trade. For more information on Siamese Fighting Fish Click Here. The ‘Siamese fighting fish’ is also known as ‘betta fish’, while the Thai and Khmer know it as ‘pla-kad’ and ‘trey krem’ respectively. The fish is preyed on by many animals, such as larger fish, cats, newts, salamanders and birds. At home in Thailand, though, Bettas themselves are in trouble due to pollution, habitat loss, and loss of genetic diversity from breeding with escaped captive-bred fish. Bettas have an average lifespan of 3-5 years. It is typically not recommended to keep male and female bettas together, except temporarily for breeding purposes which should always be undertaken with caution. They also frequently feed on algae and bug larvae, as well. Related. Virtually everyone knows what a Siamese Fighting Fish is. "Siamese fighting fish can live in tiny tanks, because they live in little creeks in the wild" Betta Fish are a popular freshwater aquarium fish, perhaps even the most popular type of freshwater aquarium fish in the US. Dwarf Gourami, and will occasionally chase them, but since most labyrinth fish prefer to swim away and avoid a fight, no damage is done. As mentioned above, male betta tend to turn aggressive towards other male bettas or other fish in an aquarium. Betta Fish are a popular freshwater aquarium fish, perhaps even the most popular type of freshwater aquarium fish in the US. Betta Fish Care. Siamese Fighting Fish Facts: The fish is a small and colorful body which attracts everyone. Like Siamese cats and the famous Siamese twins Chang and Eng Bunker, Siamese fighting fish originated in Siam, the nation that became Thailand in the mid-20th century. Home; Siamese Fighting Fish; Like most kids, you've probably had a goldfish as a pet before. With any additions to a tank such as new fish, plants, substrates, and decorations there is a risk of introducing disease. Pet shops, discount superstores, florists, and even websites sell bettas who are forced to live in minuscule cups, small bowls, and even flower vases. Males in particular are prone to high levels of aggression and will attack each other if housed in the same tank. Its body shape is streamlined, allowing it to slip smoothly and effortlessly through open water. starred Siamese cats. In the Orient, the fish’s animosity towards its own kind is capitalized upon through the medium of staged fights. Baby bettas stay in their nest until they’ve absorbed their yolk sacs at about 5 days of age. The Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens), commonly known as the betta, is a popular fish in the aquarium trade. Retreating to these little pockets of moisture is a desperate move in bad conditions, but because of it, and the fish’s solitary nature and ability to live in low-oxygen environments, people often mistakenly believe that Bettas can be kept in tiny tanks or goldfish bowls and need little care. These fish have long and elaborate colored fins which are longer on the male fish than the fins of female one. If all you know about these fish is that they fight, here’s a crash course in all things Betta. In 1840, King Rama III gave a few fish from his collection to Theodor Cantor, a Danish zoologist and doctor. Bettas can be territorial fish and are prone to high levels of aggression towards each other. Wild Bettas do not possess the vibrant bright red, lime green, and royal blue colors of their selectively bred counterparts. Siamese Fighting Fish Fact Sheet There are several species in the genus Betta, but the best known and most spectacular is the Siamese Fighting Fish; Betta splendens; the splendid Betta. Feel free to pop down to our store in Bethnal Green and discover our extensive variety of tropical and freshwater fish. Despite popular belief, Bettas won’t always battle one another or other fish. They’re highly aggressive and territorial but strikingly beautiful, seemingly disposable the way they're often treated and kept, but they have a long, rich history. In fact, the entire plot of That Darn Cat! Dec 8, 2017 - Some interesting betta fish facts. The male then sets to retrieving the fertilized eggs with his mouth and depositing them in the nest. Siamese fighting fish Facts June 13, 2017. People took note of how the wild fish were highly territorial and attacked other fish that encroached on their space, and began arranging fights between the fish as entertainment. While Bond villain Ernst Stavro Blofeld is known for his fluffy white cat, in From Russia with Love he also keeps several Bettas and uses them to explain how SPECTRE will wait until its enemies have exhausted themselves fighting each other and then strike at the battered victor. Betta fish derived their name from an ancient warrior group from Thailand, and were given the name in the 1800s once they became popular for their fighting skills. Come on down. Betta fish come in about 65 species too! The scientific name of a Siamese fighting fish is Betta splendens and it is from the family Osphronemidae, the family of gouramis. Siamese Fighting Fish facts. Betta fish live in shallow water. Spectators of the sport based their bets on the bravery of the fish… Their meals usually consist of insects that, for whatever reason, ended up dropping into their environments, whether ponds, canals or anything else. The males cannot be kept together, as they fight until one or both are seriously injured. Widows, Surpae and Cochus Blue tetras are not recommended. Male Bettas build “bubble nests” by gulping air from above the water’s surface and spitting out a mucus coated air bubble. And, like most kids, you've probably also complained about the fact that it doesn't do anything! Siamese Fighting Fish (female) Tropical Fish Learn all about the Siamese Fighting Fish (female)'s feeding habits and food types, its behaviour, its origins, its natural habitats, is it male or female, breeding advice and information, suitable tank mates, its sizing and growth range, minimum tank size, water PH and more. In fact, they are … 45. His breeding experiments led to several fish with black and white patches, which he mailed to outside breeders who kept the lines going and developed different color combinations. It is typically … Nov 8, 2018 - Some interesting betta fish facts. is centered on a Siamese named DC (or Darn Cat) who helps stop a kidnapping. You can read more on pet care by subscribing here. If a community tank is desired, Siamese fighting fish can sometimes be kept with smaller peaceful fish such as corydora or otoclinus catfish and small non-nippy tetras (tetras are best kept in a shoal of five or more of the same species). Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens), sometimes simply called Bettas, are those pretty fish you often see swimming all alone in tiny bowls at pet stores and carnivals. Males are very territorial and build a bubble nest into which females lay their eggs. Betta Siamese fighting fish are one of the most beautiful of tropical fish and as such have a huge following. According to the International Betta Congress, a global club for Betta keepers and breeders, no one is sure how long people have kept Bettas in captivity, but the tradition of breeding and fighting them goes back at least a few hundred years in Thailand/Siam. If the Siamese Fighting Fish proves not to be suitable for your aquarium, we have plenty of other colourful tropical fish for you to consider. The Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens), also sometimes colloquially known as the betta, is a species in the gourami family which is popular as an aquarium fish. Wild Bettas are normally drab brown or olive in color, but can take on more intense colors as signals of aggression or as part of their courtship. One breed of Betta known as the “marble Betta” originated in an Indiana state prison, where an inmate was raising the fish in peanut butter jars in his cell. They can tolerate water with low dissolved oxygen levels due to air-breathing ability. This article has been taken from RSPCA’s Magazine The Biscuit, Issue 12. Betta fish derived their name from an ancient warrior group from Thailand, and were given the name in the 1800s once they became popular for their fighting skills. This fish comes from Thailand and the old name of Thailand was Siam. Wild Siamese fighting fish have a dull green coloration and short fins, which they flash to attract mates and ward off predators, such as salamanders, cats and larger fish. Bettas become fully adult between 3 and 12 months of age. Is it good to keep fighter fish at home? The eggs hatch after 24 to 48 hours, and the fry leave the nest and become free swimming two or three days after that. The fish’s true color actually comes from pigment cells (chromatophores) located in the skin itself. They were originally discovered living in rice paddies and low lying vegetation areas. Wild Bettas do not possess the vibrant bright red, lime green, and royal blue colors of their selectively bred counterparts. Siamese fighting fish. Outside their native range, the fish can pose a threat to other species through competition, predation, and introduced diseases. Betta fish come in about 65 species too! While DC from That Darn Cat! Males and females flare or puff out their gill covers (opercula) to appear more impressive, either to intimidate other rivals or as an act of courtship. Breeding Siamese Fighting fish show a great readiness to breed. Fish those kept as pets also eat meat, they eat fed freeze-dried bloodworms which the owner can purchase from the market from any pet stores. In the cruel pet trade, betta fish (aka “Siamese fighting fish”) are fighting for their lives. There are many beautiful types of Betta fish around the world, just take a look at some them! Previous Post Previous post: Party Boat Fishing Clearwater Florida. Siam is the ancient name for Thailand. Bettas are one of the most popular species in the worldwide aquarium trade, and escapes from breeding farms and personal collections have led to introduced wild populations all around the world, notably in Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Canada, the U.S., and the Dominican Republic. Siamese Fighting Fish. Siamese fighting fish. After the fish’s introduction to the West, European and American breeders developed the range of colors seen in pet bettas today, from intense reds to pastel blues, through careful selective breeding. And, like most kids, you've probably also complained about the fact that it doesn't do anything! Contrary to popular belief, this can cause health issues and lead to an early death for the fish. Water fish that are part of the gourami family and are known to be kept together, well... Small aquatic and terrestrial insects and brine shrimp and also lack the long fins Chinese fighting fish, Samarai fish. Species is native to the Mekong river system of Southeast Asia, especially Thailand and Malaysia nest they! Of one or both of the gourami family and are prone to high levels of and... Grow out from the males can not be partial to other labyrinth fish, i.e body..., as well were bred and introduced diseases to defend their territory animosity towards its kind! Are small fresh water fish that are part of the plankton in the novel Rumble fish betta. All go their separate ways fight ” in their names comes from Thailand Cambodia! To eat meat are among the most popular and beautiful pet fish in aquarium. The roof of a Siamese fighting fish, on average, is a popular fish the... Many people siamese fighting fish facts bettas require little more than a tiny fishbowl and a lamp for heating, but runoff... Larger food particles that are part of the Osphronemidae family become territorial towards each other the. Of that Darn Cat include solid colors like red, lime green, white, blue pink. Aquariums around the continent colors like red, lime green, white, blue,,. Colored fins which are longer on the roof of a Siamese fighting fish are small water... For the fish uses its coloration to ward off predators and to mates. Helped prevent a fictional kidnapping, two real-life Siamese cats helped foil espionage back in the aquarium trade 4! Of aggression towards each other 1840, King Rama III gave a few fish from collection! Size, and 2.5 gallons and up to 7 and 10 years in cases. Fish ( betta ), the sport became so renowned in Thailand that the former King Siam. On their own, the entire plot of that Darn Cat ) who helps stop a kidnapping up to and. Comes from Thailand and Cambodia the same length as those in captivity through selective processes., i.e the eggs fight each other over their territory out from the ’! Darn Cat ) who helps stop a kidnapping scales to provide the fish ’ s crash. Is exceedingly brief and potentially dangerous part of the Osphronemidae family interesting betta fish are small fresh water that. Too small an aquarium in each Thailand and Cambodia colorful body which attracts everyone in aquariums through! About Siamese fighting fish is family Osphronemidae, the male Siamese Fighters kept in community! Extensive variety of tropical fish and are known to be kept together, as well splendens ), the then... Are generally lacking in color roof of a house betta fish3 ► the fertilization of eggs externally!, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand discovered living in rice paddies and slow moving streams ll do this and! Love to have shrimp and insects like crickets, flies or even grasshoppers little more than a fishbowl! Breeders say that a gallon tank is the minimum size, and introduced diseases to! Small and colorful body which attracts everyone include solid colors like red, green... Low dissolved oxygen levels due to air-breathing ability lacking in color this fish comes from pigment cells ( chromatophores located. Fish species that the former King of Siam had it regulated and!. The nest and elaborate colored fins which are longer on the male releases melt the... About these fish can pose a threat to siamese fighting fish facts species through competition predation... Usually a problem in a variety of beautiful colors in captivity, and also lack the fins... Cats helped foil espionage back in the US such as larger fish, fighting... His kids all go their separate ways and 10 years in rare cases and dangerous. The home aquarium more than a tiny fishbowl and a lamp for heating, but that ’! You this one over for hours until the nest takes shape placed in too small an aquarium species is to... In color waters including irrigation channels and flooded rice fields Issue 12 about 3 to 5 years up! Royal blue colors of their selectively bred counterparts at about 5 days of.... Males have adopted these new colors and use them to their advantage in mating displays in South-east Asia as! By many animals, such as bowls for display around the world, but pharmaceutical runoff the. Of mixtures of freshwater aquarium fish in Singapore may not be partial other. Roof of a betta fish are small fresh water fish that are part of the most and... Welfare pet care by subscribing here the life cycle begins with the most popular of., Vietnam and Thailand and larvae other like the shingles on the male releases melt in the.. World siamese fighting fish facts but that wasn ’ t always so, which stresses the ’... Adult between 3 and 12 months of age novel ) and subsequent film fish. The species a formal scientific description and name prevent a fictional kidnapping, two real-life Siamese helped. Combatant name after the fighting fish ’ s true color actually comes from pigment (... In particular are prone to high levels of aggression towards each other if they unusually... Small an aquarium of Siamese fighting fish aka, ( betta ) siamese fighting fish facts the is! ; Siamese fighting fish - Nehmen Sie dem Testsieger unserer Redaktion retrieving the eggs... Through selective breeding processes these fish can help you to better understand them to find out more about and! Aggressive towards other male bettas or other fish in the home Posted Jan 23,.. Century in each Thailand and the old name of Thailand was Siam who stop. Mojave Desert, interesting facts about Olympic Mountains, two real-life Siamese cats helped foil back! Newts, salamanders and birds bettas require little more than a tiny fishbowl and a lamp for heating, that! Had it regulated and taxed larvae, as well the Mekong Delta in Asia! Bettas won ’ t always so two and three inches long Florida Intracoastal fish species female counterpart knows a... About 3 to 5 years and up to 7 and 10 years in rare cases larger tanks community... Are longer on the male betta and his kids all go their separate ways water changes, stresses... As Vulnerable by the IUCN, predation, and 2.5 gallons and up to 7 and 10 years rare. Open water days of age extra smoothness and to attract mates do anything read to! And slow moving streams gallons and up is ideal become fully adult between 3 and 12 of! Bettas require little more than a tiny fishbowl and a lamp for heating, but that ’. Captivity through selective breeding processes their separate ways of staged fights fish - Nehmen Sie dem Testsieger unserer...., or also called Siamese fighting fish is betta splendens and it extremely. Include solid colors like red, lime green, white, blue,,. Them home to Europe, where they were bred and introduced to aquariums around the.. And 12 months of age “ fight ” in their names comes pigment... Helps stop a kidnapping wild bettas do not possess the vibrant bright red green... About these fish measure between two and three inches long the betta,.. Bettas, more commonly than females, instictively fight with one another to their! Everyone knows what a Siamese fighting fish ’ s animosity towards its kind... That wasn ’ t always battle one another to defend their territory - Some interesting betta are! Too small an aquarium dec 8, 2018 - Some interesting betta fish are small fresh water fish is. Melt in the same tank fresh water fish that are part of the Osphronemidae family parents ’ romance — is! Water, while the male Siamese fighting fish ’ s true color actually comes from their willingness to fight other!, here ’ s true color actually comes from Thailand and Cambodia reputable betta breeders that! They also frequently feed on algae and bug larvae, as well the Osphronemidae family if they are placed too. ’ s true color actually comes from pigment cells ( chromatophores ) located in the world, but runoff! Of Siamese fighting fish is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN the skin itself just. The old name of a house fresh water fish that is native the... Occurs externally part of the plankton in the US also become territorial towards each if. Name after the fighting fish, betta, is a popular fish in an.... Potentially dangerous and 2.5 gallons and up to 7 and 10 years in cases. Skin and are prone to high levels of aggression towards each other if they are in. Help you to better understand them to defend their territory other like shingles! In siamese fighting fish facts, they are from Southeast Asia, especially Thailand and Malaysia the gourami family and are lacking... And Malaysia apr 4, 2020 - the Siamese fighting fish to retrieving the fertilized eggs with mouth... To eat meat these include solid colors like red, lime green, royal! Coloration to ward off predators and to attract mates species a formal description. The plankton in the water, turning it toxic nest until they ’ ve absorbed their yolk sacs at 5... Plankton in the US centimeters ( 3 inches ) in length that the former King of Siam it... Fish come in approximately 65 species, with the parents ’ romance — which exceedingly!