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An Aggressive Fish

Anyone who enjoys keeping an aquarium should have a Siamese fighting or betta fish. This marine animal originates in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand where it once proliferated in cultivated rice paddies before capture by humans. Today, this is a popular freshwater fish to keep in a home, office or school environment in a small tank located on a sturdy table or shelf. Because this variety of fish is incredibly aggressive, it is typically isolated in a small container away from other fish. Betta or Siamese fighting fish will even attack its own species to protect its living space.

Bred in Captivity

While many Siamese fighting fish still live in the wild, this animal’s natural color is actually a dull gray, brown and green, instead of the bright colors seen in captivity. For many years, individuals have captured betta fish to breed. The captive breeding has led to Siamese fighting fish with an assortment of gorgeous colors and delicate long fins. In nature, betta fish have small fins designed to assist with swimming, instead of the wavy ones seen on captive aquarium varieties. Over many years, breeders have created specialized varieties of Siamese fighting fish such as half-moon, super delta and veiltail that are highly prized and valuable.

Raised for Entertainment

Betta or Siamese fighting fish will fight naturally in the wild for mates, food and living space. However, the fish bred in captivity are serious fighters that will continue a battle for a much longer length of time. Historians believe people in ancient Malaysia and Thailand began capturing and breeding betta during the 1800s as an entertaining activity. People would actually gather around a fish tank to watch the betta fight while betting on...

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...ety that will continue to breed albino young. In the past, only male betta had brightly colored scales and large fins, but today breeders have created females with new variations.

Buying Betta Fish

Individuals who collect and breed Siamese fighting fish are experts at understanding the different scale and fin variations. Breeders look carefully at tail and fin length, angle or shape along with color variety to choose the best Siamese fighting fish to own for breeding purposes. Both males and females will display puffing or flaring behavior during courtship or fighting. When a Siamese fighting fish is stressed, its coloration may change slightly with pale stripes appearing on its body. Pet or specialty aquarium stores typically have an assortment of Siamese fighting fish, specialized food and equipment available for customers to buy to raise this animal at home.

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