Animal Profiles
Fish

Betta Fish (Siamese Fighting Fish)

Betta splendens

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Betta splendens is a small Southeast Asian freshwater fish. Wild fish are usually less elaborately coloured and finned than many ornamental forms.

Betta splendens

Daniella Vereeken · CC BY

At a glance

Location
Shallow, vegetated freshwater habitats in Southeast Asia, with domestic varieties kept worldwide.
Habitat
Wetlands, Rivers and lakes
Diet
Insectivore
Food
Mainly insects and other small animal foods in the wild.

Classification

Common name
Betta Fish (Siamese Fighting Fish)
Browse group
Fish
Scientific name or taxon
Betta splendens
Taxon rank
species
Order
Perciformes
Family
Osphronemidae
Genus
Betta
Source classification
Actinopterygii

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • Ornamental forms often differ from wild fish.
  • The mouth is directed upward.
  • Males build bubble nests during breeding.

Habitat and range

Shallow, vegetated freshwater habitats in Southeast Asia, with domestic varieties kept worldwide.

Appearance and adaptations

An upturned mouth assists surface feeding. Selective breeding has produced many fin shapes and vivid colour combinations.

Diet and behaviour

Males display to rivals and can defend territories. Breeding behaviour includes building a bubble nest near the surface and tending eggs and newly hatched young.

Sources

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