Description

The Siamese fighting fish (Bettasplendens),also sometimes colloquially known as the Betta, is aspecies in theGourami family which is popular as an aquarium fish.They arecalled pla-kad (biting fish) in Thai or trey krem in Khmer.Theyare a very territorial fish and it is unwise to house twomalestogether. Even the females may become territorial towardseachother if not housed in a large enough tank.

These species are native to the Mekong basin of Laos,Cambodia,Vietnam and Thailand. The fish can be found in vaststanding watersof canals, rice paddies and floodplains.[1] Thespecies is listedas Vulnerable by the IUCN.

In January 2014 a large population of the fish was discovered intheAdelaide River Floodplain in the Northern Territory,Australia.[2]As an invasive species they pose a threat to nativefish, frogs andother wildlife in the wetlands.[2]