8/23/2023 0 Comments Natural aquarium decorsplendens is generally green, brown and grey, while the fins are short wild fish exhibit strong colours only when agitated. Although aquarium specimens are widely known for their brilliant colours and large, flowing fins, the natural coloration of B. splendens usually grows to a length of about 6–8 cm (2.4–3.1 in). In 1909, the species was finally renamed Betta splendens upon the discovery that an existing species was already named pugnax. In 1897 they were identified with the genus Betta and became known as Betta pugnax, referring to their aggressiveness. Siamese fighting fish were originally given the scientific name Macropodus pugnax in 1849-literally "aggressive fish with big feet", likely in reference to their elongated pelvic fins. Thus, the term "fighting fish" is used to generalise all Betta species besides the Siamese fighting fish. This name is used in Thailand for all members of the Betta genus, which share similar aggressive tendencies, rather than for any specific strain of the Siamese fighting fish. Īnother vernacular name for Siamese fighting fish is plakat, often applied to the short-finned ornamental strains, which is derived from the Thai word pla kat (Thai: ปลากัด), which literally means "biting fish". Alternative sources suggests the name Betta splendens is formed from two languages, consisting of Malay for "enduring fish" and the Latin word for shining. However, it is believed the name is derived from the Malay word ikan betta, with ikan meaning "fish" and bettah referring to an ancient warrior tribe, which is pronounced "bet-tah". Betta splendens is more accurately called by its scientific name or "Siamese fighting fish" to avoid confusion with the other members of the genus.Įnglish-speakers often pronounce betta as "bay-tuh", after the second letter in the Greek alphabet. splendens, despite the term scientifically applying to the entire genus, which includes B. Outside Southeast Asia, the name "betta" is used specifically to describe B. splendens is listed as " vulnerable" by the IUCN, due to increasing pollution and habitat destruction. In addition to its worldwide popularity, the Siamese fighting fish is the national aquatic animal of Thailand, which remains the primary breeder and exporter of bettas for the global aquarium market. Bettas are exceptionally tolerant of low oxygen levels and poor water quality, owing to their special labyrinth organ, a characteristic unique to the suborder Anabantoidei that allows for the intake of surface air. Female bettas can also become territorial towards one another in confined spaces. īettas are well known for being highly territorial, with males prone to attacking each other if housed in the same tank without a means of escape, this will usually result in the death of one or both fish. splendens long history of selective breeding has produced a wide variety of coloration and finnage, earning it the moniker, "designer fish of the aquatic world". They first appeared in the West in the late 19th century, and within decades became popular as ornamental fish. Bettas became known outside Thailand through King Rama III (1788-1851), who is said to have given some to Theodore Cantor, a Danish physician, zoologist, and botanist. They were initially bred for aggression and subject to gambling matches akin to cockfighting. Siamese fighting fish are endemic to the central plain of Thailand, where they were first domesticated at least 1,000 years ago, among the longest of any fish. It is one of 73 species of the genus Betta, but the only one eponymously called "betta", owing to its global popularity as a pet Betta splendens are among the most popular aquarium fish in the world, due to their diverse and colorful morphology and relatively low maintenance. The Siamese fighting fish ( Betta splendens), commonly known as the betta, is a freshwater fish native to Southeast Asia, namely Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
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