The Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens), also

known as the betta , is a popular species of

freshwater aquarium fish. The name of the genus

is derived from ikan bettah, taken from a local

dialect of Malay. The wild ancestors of this fish are

native to the rice paddies of Thailand, Malaysia,

Cambodia and Vietnam and are called pla-kad in

Thai or trey krem in Khmer.



In captivity, male B. splendens are best housed alone since, as their name "fighting

                                                                  fish" implies, they will aggressively attack and kill

                                                                  (or be killed by) another male in their territory.

                                                                  Putting female and male specimens together is

                                                                  not recommended either (except for breeding,

                                                                  in which the female should be removed

                                                                  immediately after the process) as they will often

                                                                  attack each other. Female bettas can sometimes

                                                                  be kept together in groups of three to seven in

                                                                  larger tanks with hiding places for the less-aggressive females. Male bettas have been successfully housed in large community tanks with other fish that have similar tropical temperature and water quality requirements. Platies, corycats, and African dwarf frogs work best with this fish as well as neon/cardinal tetras and white cloud mountain minnows[citation needed]. Other fish species may be kept in the same tank as a betta, provided the fish does not have long fins that would cause the betta to mistake it for a threatening male betta, and provided the fish isn't significantly smaller than the betta. Zebra Danios also can sometimes make an acceptable tankmate[citation needed]. Endlers (Poecillia wingei) should be fine as long as their fins are small. Bettas might harass and nip at other species that are colorful or have long, flowing fins,

and may be nipped at by aggressive tank mates.

Careful research should be carried out before

selecting tank mates. Although many retail pet

shops market very small "bowls" for B. splendens

and the fish can, in fact, survive in a small

container for periods of time, for optimum health

and vigor larger tanks should be used.

Recommended tank volume is 20 to 40 liters

(5-10 gallons).



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