The Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens), is a species that belongs to Osphronemidae family
which is popular as an aquarium fish. This species is native to the Mekong basin of Thailand, Laos,
Cambodia, and Vietnam, where it can be found in standing waters of canals, rice paddies, and
floodplains. Wild fish exhibit strong colors only when agitated. In the wild, bettas spar for only a
few minutes or before one fish backs off. Bred specifically for fighting, domesticated betta matches
can go on for much longer, with winners determined by a willingness to continue fighting. Once
one fish retreats, the match is over. The people of Siam and Malaya are known to have collected
these fish prior to the 19th century from the wild.