{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "betta-fish",
  "name": "Betta Fish",
  "scientificName": "Betta splendens",
  "category": "Fish",
  "summary": "The betta, or Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens), is a small, brilliantly coloured freshwater fish originally from the shallow ponds, rice paddies, and slow streams of Southeast Asia. Domesticated for centuries, it is now one of the world's most popular aquarium fish, prized for flowing fins and vivid colours. Bettas grow to about 6–8 cm and usually live 2–4 years in home aquariums.",
  "conservationStatus": "Vulnerable",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Actinopterygii",
    "order": "Anabantiformes",
    "family": "Osphronemidae",
    "genus": "Betta"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 0.002,
    "lengthM": 0.07,
    "topSpeedKmh": 4,
    "lifespanYears": 4
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Betta splendens"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Carnivore"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Shallow freshwater of Southeast Asia"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "2–4 years"
    },
    {
      "label": "Length",
      "value": "6–8 cm (2.4–3.1 in)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Top speed",
      "value": "Slow; short darting movements"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Vulnerable (IUCN)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Shallow rice paddies, ditches, and slow streams of Thailand, Cambodia, and neighboring Southeast Asia.",
    "continents": [
      "Asia"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "citation": "IUCN Red List — Betta splendens.",
      "url": "https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Betta%20splendens&searchType=species"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Animal Diversity Web — Betta splendens. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.",
      "url": "https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Betta_splendens/"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Wikipedia — Betta Fish.",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siamese_fighting_fish"
    }
  ],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/betta-fish/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/betta-fish/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}