galileo

The Betta

These aggressively territorial fish were originally bred for competitive fighting. One researcher states “observing the obvious popularity of these fights, the King of Siam started licensing and collecting these fighting fish. ”In the wild, Betta splendens spar for only a few minutes before one fish backs off. Bred specifically for heightened aggression, domesticated betta matches can go on for much longer. Winners are determined by a willingness to continue fighting. Once a fish retreats, the match is considered over. Today, fish fighting is just as illegal as dog and rooster fighting in the USA, though it is still popular practice in other countries.

A common misconception about bettas is their natural environment. Many people have been led to believe that wild Betta splendens live in small, dirty puddles of water and even the footprints of animals. That means they can be kept in bowls and vases with no filtration or heat. The truth is, that is absolutely false. Wild bettas are found in thickly vegetated, slow moving streams, marshes, large vegetated drainage ditches and rice paddies. These are located in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The plants produce beneficial bacteria, allowing a natural filtration system. “These ecosystems are shallow and extensive, providing ample space for establishment of such territories as well as a wide area for hunting insect larvae and finding mates,” says one author. Each individual betta has about two square meters of territory, for which they will battle each other.

Due to their natural environment being mostly stagnant water, the natural aeration isn’t that good. That means there is not much oxygen in the water. To cope, Betta splendens evolved and developed something called the Labyrinth organ. This organ allows them to take oxygen directly from the air and absorb it into the bloodstream, instead of filtering it out through the water. As stated by Lea Mattox, a Betta splendens specialist, “a benefit of the Labyrinth organ is that it allows them to survive (for a short period of time) out of water.”