The Betta is a native fish originating from the Southern regions of Thailand (formerly known as Siam) and adjoining countries. Betta fish thrive in the natural wild and love shallow reedy pools, creeks and streams.
They most thrive in still water. For example: the waters of rice paddies, others from stagnant waters such as smaller pools, creeks and and reedy ponds.
This species of Siamese Fighting Fish gots its name mostly from the aggressiveness of male Bettas towards one another.
Fiece Fighting Fish
These small fish frequently are found in tiny ponds and small reedy pools of water, and therefore they'll fight to protect their smallish territory otherwise they can lose their breeding territory to a more dominate Betta male.
These small and beautiful Betta have been bred for more than one thousand years in areas of Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam.
They are mostly bred as a decoration species, and sometimes they are bred even for fighting. These fighting fish (if placed in a bowl together) will oftentimes fight each other untill one of them actually dies.
Exported Internationally
When Bettas are bred as ornamental varieties, they're mainly exported overseas, and end-up being sold throughout pet stores. These ornamental varieties are more beautiful in appearance, and do have much brighter colours than those that are bred specifically for fighting.
It's the bright and lovely Bettas known as "hues" with long flowing fins which caused the species to be called "Betta splendens".
The "Betta splendens" are equipped with a special and MOST unusual characteristic which sets them apart from other smaller tropical fish.
Bettas Have A Special Organ
These Bettas are known as "labyrinthine" Bettas, this species of tropical fish can breath (pure oxygen) through its gills, and also take in additional oxygen by breathing through a unique organ called the "labyrinth".
It's a truly marvelous organ which is located in the Bettas air chamber directly above its gills. This very special organ is constantly supplying fresh blood vessels to Betta so that it can absorb additional oxygen which the Betta fish gulps-in through its mouth.
This provides the Betta fish with pure oxygen at times when it cannot get enough breathable oxygen directly from its water environment.
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