Betta Splendens, also known as Siamese Fighting Fish are interesting fish. Their life and breeding is special. They come in a variety of different colours and finnageshapes. Bettas originaly come from Thailand where they live in the ricepaddies. As water is evaporating during the warm summer the betta is able to survive in just the amount of water of a teacup. They can take in oxygen from the air. Females can live peacefully together but males do require their own territorium. That is why aquarium keepers have males in separate tanks. They would otherwise fight till death.

Reproduction of bettas is also interesting. They are egglayers. While spawning the female releases her egss and the male fertilises them. The male picks up the falling eggs and puts them in a bubblenest made bij himself on the surface. After spawning the female is chased away and the nest is guarded by the male. Eggs that fall from the nest are picked up and put back. After only 36 hours the eggs hatch and the fry is hanging with their tails down under the nest. After a few days they are able to swimm horizontal.