Betta Fish
Betta splendens
Quick answer
The betta fish, or Siamese fighting fish, is a small, vividly colored freshwater fish from Southeast Asia known for its flowing fins and bold temperament. Males are highly territorial and will flare or fight other males, which is how the species got its name. Bettas breathe air using a special organ and typically live 2 to 4 years in a well-kept aquarium.
Betta Fish facts at a glance
| Scientific name | Betta splendens |
|---|---|
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Habitat | Shallow freshwater of Southeast Asia |
| Lifespan | 2–4 years |
| Length | 6–8 cm (2.4–3.1 in) |
| Top speed | Slow; short darting movements |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Anabantiformes |
| Family | Osphronemidae |
| Genus | Betta |
Where it lives
Shallow rice paddies, ditches, and slow streams of Thailand, Cambodia, and neighboring Southeast Asia.
Behavior and temperament
Male bettas are famously territorial and will spread their gills and fins in a dramatic display, or fight, when they see another male. For this reason males are kept alone. Despite the aggression toward rivals, bettas are intelligent and can learn to recognize their owner and follow a finger across the glass.
Breathing air
Bettas have a special organ called the labyrinth that lets them gulp air from the surface, so they can survive in warm, oxygen-poor water that would suffocate many other fish. This adaptation suits the shallow rice paddies, ditches, and slow streams they come from, but they still need clean, warm water to thrive.
Diet and feeding
Bettas are carnivores built to eat small live prey. In the wild they take insects, larvae, and tiny aquatic invertebrates from near the surface. In aquariums they do best on betta-specific pellets supplemented with frozen or live foods such as bloodworms and brine shrimp.
As a pet
Bettas are popular aquarium fish thanks to their bright colors, long fins, and small size. They need a heated, filtered tank rather than an unheated bowl, since they come from warm tropical water. Wild Betta splendens is listed as Vulnerable due to habitat loss, even though pet bettas are bred in huge numbers.
Frequently asked questions about the Betta Fish
How long do betta fish live?
Betta fish usually live 2 to 4 years in a well-maintained aquarium. Warm, clean, filtered water and a good diet help them reach the upper end of that range.
Why are betta fish called fighting fish?
Male bettas are intensely territorial and will flare and fight other males on sight, a trait that earned them the name Siamese fighting fish. Because of this, males are kept on their own.
Can betta fish live together?
Two male bettas should never share a tank because they will fight. A single male can sometimes live with peaceful tankmates of other species, but females and males are only put together briefly for breeding.
Do betta fish need a heater?
Yes. Bettas are tropical fish that need warm water around 24 to 28°C (75 to 82°F), so a heated, filtered tank is far better for them than an unheated bowl.
What do betta fish eat?
Bettas are carnivores that eat insects and larvae in the wild. In aquariums they should be fed betta pellets along with treats like frozen or live bloodworms and brine shrimp.
