5 Fascinating Betta Fish Facts

Before bettas were bred for their ornamental beauty, these fish were bred for their territorial nature. Bettas earned the name “Siamese fighting fish” because they would naturally spar against each other.   

People originally took advantage of this behavior as a form of entertainment, similar to cockfighting. Siamese fighting fish became so popular that sparring matches became a common practice, and were eventually regulated and taxed.  

The betta’s scientific name, Betta splendens, means “beautiful warrior,” honoring their fighting capabilities and elaborate features. 

With proper care, betta fish can live 5–7 years on average. Routine cleaning and proper maintenance will give your betta the best chance to maintain a healthy life.  

Partial water changes once a week can help maintain proper water quality in your betta’s environment, along with getting rid of any algae that may be growing in your betta’s tank.  

It’s also critical to check your betta’s water parameters to ensure levels such as nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia are within a safe range for your betta fish.  

Because they’re considered low-maintenance compared to other fish, bettas are great for beginner fish hobbyists and for people with limited space in aquariums.  

Male betta fish are known for their fighting capabilities and should not be housed together for this reason. Males can also be territorial and even aggressive toward other fish species, so it’s ideal for them to live alone.  

Female bettas, however, are not as territorial and can live together as long as they have plenty of space and hiding spots. Female bettas can also be housed with other fish species, including schooling fish like tetras and even species like African dwarf frogs!  

If you choose to house more than one betta, always make sure your tank is big enough for multiple fish. Generally, each fish should have 5 gallons each. 

A betta fish’s physical characteristics can vary wildly. For instance, some bettas may have small fins or while others may have large elaborate ones.  

In general, though, male betta fish usually have more vivid colors and elaborate fins, while female bettas tend to be smaller, paler, and have short fins.  

Some common betta fish types and their characteristics include: 

• Crowntail bettas, which have long tails with points, like a crown. 
• Veiltail bettas, which have long, flowing tails. 
• Halfmoon bettas have tails that curve around them in a moon shape. 
• Double tail bettas have two fins stacked on top of each other. 
• Delta tail bettas have fins with straight edges that extend out from the back of the fish. 
• Elephant ear bettas have fins near their head that resemble the ears of, well, an elephant. 

Your betta may not seem as active as some other fish; that’s because they sleep for about eight to 10 hours a day! Bettas need to have spaces to rest, such as leaf hammocks. 

While sleeping, your betta will look relaxed and won’t move much, and sometimes, your betta’s color may start to look paler in appearance. Bettas will also sleep with their eyes open.  

When betta fish sleep, it can be easy to mistake your betta fish as being sick or dead. It’s important to monitor your betta fish for abnormal activity, so you can tell the difference between a sleeping fish and a sick one.  

This content was medically reviewed by Melissa Witherell, DVM, Chewy veterinarian.