The Betta Splenden is commonly known as the Siamese Fighting Fish because of the males aggressive nature when put together. The males will fight for domination leaving the opponents heavily injured with not much chance of survival. Males will even attack the females if they are not ready for breeding.

Betta Splendens, the wild variant, habitat the shallow overgrown waters of South East Asia. They can also be found happily in irrigation channels (because of their ability to breathe air they can live in polluted waters without much of a problem) and especially in the rice fields where there is very shallow water.

The body is elongated with the mouth pointed upwards, which is typical of top feeders. The males have long flowing fins which the female lacks. Betta's come in a wide variety of colours with the basics being..

* Yellow
* Black
* Red
* Iridescent

The Betta is known as a labrynth fish. They are air breathers and will often dwell near the top of the tank to take frequent breathes of air. The labrynth is an auxiliary breathing organ, which is used to absorb air. Prevention of taking air in these fish will cause them to drown. Betta's are bubblenest builders, meaning the male will take up air in its mouth, coat it with saliva and spit the bubbles - which stick together on the surface of the water.