A Betta is commonly known as a Siamese fighting fish and can be found in most tropical fish outlets or from selective breeders.

This beautiful fish is well known for not only its vast range of colours and fin types but also its intense personalilty. A fish that once owned usually turns in to a small collection due to creating a healthy addiction for their owners.

Orginally from Siam and adopted as a favourite fish by the King Of Siam who owned a fair few, well a lot as you can imagine.

The name Betta is also supported with "Splendens" which some believe to mean "Beautiful". Betta means "Warrior" which was the name of a local tribe to Siam. So with the two together you get,

"Beautiful Warrior"

Why the warrior? - remember that these are also called Siamese fighters. There is only reason for this, they are simply fighters and were used widely as a sport where Siamese fighters were put together to fight as a sport. Sadly one of them would come off worse and the one left in a far better shape was deemed the winner. These though were not the usual Siamese fighters that you see today. The warrior tribe of Siam held a reputation of being skilled fighters.

The original Siamese fighter colours were a muddy grey / green colouration, rather boring in many eyes but their character and use for fighting gave them their appeal.

Over the years, from intense breeding programs, mutated colours started to develop in the resulting young. The first colour to come as a mutant gene was a light bodied fish with red/brown fins. This became known as the Cambodian Betta. From this gene other colourations were developed over time and with research and detailed breeding programs breeders started to create new colours and larger or different shaped fins.

That is the basic story of where these fish came from. They are an ornamental tropical fish that is pretty easy to take care of but guide lines must be put in place to maintain the perfect environment to encourage a healthy life style for the fish.

Be warned! once you get bitten it really does take hold, but its a healthy hobbie and can bring sheer satisfaction and enjoyment as you get to know your bettas and their different personalities.

BETTA COLOURS >

HOUSING A BETTA >