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The Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens), also

known as the "betta fish" or just "betta", is one of the most

popular species of freshwater aquarium fish. It is native to

the rice paddies of Thailand and Cambodia and called pla-

kad or trey krem ("Fighting Fish") in its native

[Khmer/Thai]. Because these fish are descendants of the

wild betta fish which live in oxygen-poor environments,

Siamese fighting fish are capable of living in smaller

containers than most aquarium fish, without the filters and

aerators that other aquarium fish require.

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Although bettas are known for

their brilliant colours and large,

flowing fins, the natural coloration of B. splendens is a dull

green and brown, and the fins of wild

specimens are relatively short.

However, brilliantly colored and longer finned varieties

(i.e. Veiltail; Delta;

Super delta; and Half-moon)

have been developed

through selective breeding.

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Male and female Bettas flare or

"puff out" their gill covers (opercula)

in order to appear more impressive,

either to intimidate other rivals or as an act of courtship.

Females and males will display horizontal bars

(unless they are too light a colour for this to show)

if stressed or frightened.

Females often flare their gills at other females,

especially when setting up a pecking order.

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Flirting fish behave similarly, with vertical instead of

horizontal stripes indicating a willingness and

readiness to breed (females only). Bettas sometimes

require a place to hide, even in the absence of

threats. Bettas may set up a territory cantered on a

plant or rocky alcove, sometimes becoming highly

possessive of it and aggressive toward trespassing

rivals.

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On average, males are more

aggressive, though individual females

demonstrate a wide range in level of

aggression. Bettas will even respond

aggressively to their own reflections in a

mirror;

use of a mirror avoids the risk of physical damage inherent in

actual conflict. Bettas, like other fish, may respond to the

presence of humans and become trained

to respond to feeding cues

(such as a hand placed over the water's surface).

They are quite curious and will watch humans

going about their business nearby.

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They enjoy having in their tanks plants, natural or

artificial, that almost reach the surface of the water

so they may rest upon the plants and raise their

heads slightly for a sip of air; when the plant leaves

do reach the surface, they are useful for males to

base their bubble nests on.

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Two or more Males: Male betta splendens do not fight to

the death in the wild; when one fish has won the fight, the

loser retreats to safety. In an aquarium, however, there is

no retreat, so the victor fish continues attacking the

loser, often resulting in the loser's death;

therefore, hobbyists rarely house two male B. splendens

in the same tank unless they are (a) separated by a

partition; or(b) they are from the same batch of eggs and

are immature;

Because of the aggressive

nature of the Betta splendens species,

tank-mates

must be carefully chosen:

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A Male and a Female: In the wild, females stay clear of

males, except during mating.

When cohabiting in tanks, males might kill females,

and are generally kept apart unless

(a) they are juvenile siblings,

(b) they are breeding, or

(c) there is a partition.

Often, before breeding, breeders use a partitioned

container to allow female

display without risking harm by the male.

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Trinity