Bettas, Anabantoids, Siamese Fighting Fish.

Other names: Bettas, Anabantoids, Siamese Fighting Fish.

Family: Anabantidae.

Native to: Southeast Asia, Southern Asia, Tropical Africa

Members of this family -- denizens in the wild of oxygen-starved waters, can frequently be seen gulping air at the surface; it is perfectly normal for them to do this, as they possess an extra breathing organ (Labyrinth Organ) for this very purpose.

The more colorful varieties are predatory, so care should be taken in choosing companions for them. The rest are comparatively peaceful, but can be noisy when breeding or when out of the water. Males will know when it is time to breed. He will build a bubblenest with his mouth. Then the male and the female will stay near the bottom of the bubblenest to spawn. The male wraps his body around the female during courtship. The females eggs are released and then the male will release his sperm. The male will then collect the eggs in his mouth and gently wash them. He then proceeds to place the eggs into the bubble nest. the male continues to take on the responsibility of guarding theA common red twintail betta nest, and may even kill the female. Male fish can take on stronger coloration at spawning time; frequently the male has extended anal and dorsal fins.

The Betta, or Siamese fighting fish as it's better known, grows to 3" long and comes in a variety of brilliant colors, our male bettas are more commonly reds, and blues, or red/blue mixes. Sometimes greens, rarely white or black. Males, identifiable by their collection of fancy fins, just don't get on with each other at all, so keep only one male in your tank.