Species · GBIF taxon 2393998
Siamese Fighting Fish
Betta splendensAlso known as Betta, Siamese Fighter, Plakat
Native to shallow, warm waters across Mainland Southeast Asia, male Siamese fighting fish construct intricate floating bubble nests and fiercely guard their territories against rivals. A specialized labyrinth organ allows them to breathe atmospheric air directly from the surface, enabling survival in oxygen-poor rice paddies and stagnant ditches. While wild forms display short fins and subtle iridescence, centuries of selective breeding produced the vibrant colors and elaborate finnage common in home aquariums.
FreshwaterLabyrinth FishTropical
—observations
—countries
—peak records
VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Mosquito larvae
- Water fleas
- Small aquatic insects
Predators
- Water birds
- Larger predatory fish
- Water snakes
ThreatsHabitat degradation, agricultural pollution, wild collection
HabitatsShallow sluggish waters, rice paddies, marshes, floodplains
Life span2–5 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderPerciformes
- FamilyOsphronemidae
- GenusBetta
- SpeciesBetta splendens
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Wild individuals feature shorter fins and subtle brownish-green coloration compared to captive varieties.
- Support conservation
- Avoid disrupting shallow wild aquatic habitats and refrain from capturing wild specimens.
Responsible observation
- Aquarium Housing: Maintain individual males in separate enclosures to prevent lethal territorial fighting.
- Wild Observation: Search quiet, heavily vegetated shallows for surface-gulping behavior.
Close Relative DefenderRegina / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative panitvong,n / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Family Member André Karwath aka Aka, edited by Muhammad / CC BY-SA 2.5 · cc-by-sa
Family Member Gourami Watcher / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.