Back to More Fish Species

Scientific Name: Betta splendens

Type: Freshwater

Size: 2 ½" (6cm)

Tank Size Needed (Minimum): 1/2 gallon (2L)

Water pH: 6.5 to 7.5

Water Hardness: any up to Hard (25 dH)

Temperature: 75-85°F (24-29°C)

Origin: Southeast Asia, Thailand

Social: Does best as the only fish. Will successfully live with Catfish and Plecostomus. May live with some Tetras or other peaceful fish, but depends on the personality of the Siamese Fighting Fish. Do not house with Angels, Gouramis or Paradises, because they will fight.

Life span: 2-3 years

Diet: Carnivore. Prefers live or frozen food (bloodworms, brine shrimp, tubifex worms), supplemented with pellets made for bettas.

Difficulty Rating: Beginner

Comments: The Siamese Fighting Fish, also called a Betta, is a beautiful fish known for fighting with others of its kind. This full-finned fish comes in a variety of colors, including white, pink, red, iridescent blue, green, yellow and more. Nearly all bettas for sale in pet stores are male, because they are colorful and females are not. However, females may be kept in the same tank. Males will fight to the death. If keeping a male in a solitary tank, it will be much happier if it can see other fish in another tank. Or, keep the betta in a community tank using a divider to keep it separate.

Bettas often live in deplorable conditions due to misinformation. Because wild Siamese fighting fish can be found in shallow rice paddies, many people assume that means the fish will be perfectly happy living in a tiny jar or other glass container. Though a betta may survive in this sort of container, it certainly won’t thrive, and because the water gets dirty so quickly in a small space, the fish will be much more likely to get sick. Though the absolute minimum tank size is about a half-gallon (2L), which will need water changes every three days or so, it’s best to use a bowl or aquarium that is at least 3 gallons (11L).

Bettas have the unusual ability to breathe air, using an organ called the labyrinth. This is how they survive in small amounts of water with little oxygen in it. Make sure whatever aquarium the betta lives in has space above the water where the fish can breathe. Also, make sure the aquarium has a screen or mesh lid—Siamese fighting fish can jump.