What is fighter fish

Americans sometimes mis-pronounce the name as "bay-tuh" after the second letter in the Greek alphabet, however, it is believed that these fish were actually named after the ancient Asian Bettah warrior tribe — pronounced "bet-tah". Think "My fish is bettah than yours"! In Thailand, they are called "plakat", which means "biting fish".

Betta splendens are native to Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, where they live in ditches, rice paddies, shallow pools and slow moving streams. To survive in these warm, oxygen-poor habitats, they use a special labyrinth organ which allows them to breathe air above the water surface, although they also have gills like other fish. Because of this ability, some people believe bettas can be kept in small bowls or flower vases.

At lower temperatures, they become sluggish and susceptible to disease. Plants and other decorations to provide cover and a secure lid is also required, especially in small containers, to prevent your betta from jumping out of its fish tank in search of a cleaner, or larger body of water. Bettas are carnivores, feeding primarily on insects and insect larvae in the wild. They thrive on protein-based frozen, pellet and flake foods in aquariums.

Bettas are known to recognize their human companions, will follow your finger around the aquarium, and can even be trained to perform tricks! On average, the betta fish life span is 3 to 5 years, but in rare cases, they can reach up to 8 or 9 years of age in captivity.

This process is quite labor-intensive, though, and bettas can take up to a year to grow larger. Facts About Betta Fish. Written by: PetMD Editorial. Published: February 11, A Fighting Fish Throughout History Bettas have always been used as fighting fish, bred for their aggressive nature and, later, for their brilliant colors.

Habitat of the Betta Fish Betta fish are native to the rice paddies, canals, floodplains and drainage ditches of Southeast Asia, most notably Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Laos and Cambodia. How Big Do Bettas Get? Help us make PetMD better Was this article helpful? Yes No. Share this article. What did you find helpful? Betta Fish Care Betta fish, or Siamese fighting fish, are popular aquarium fish. They are often called 'bettas,' and are part of the gourami family.

They are well known for being territorial fish and 'fighting' if two are placed together or they see their reflections. Betta fish originiate from Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand natively. Despite popular belief, they are not found in puddles. In the wild, they live in standing waters, often in rice paddies, floodplains, or canals. In the wild, they are less territorial due to the large space they live in - they will only spar, not fight to the death. Description Betta fish grow to be no longer than 3 inches, typically.

Their usual lifespan is years. They have brilliantly colored fins, and various tail types.