The scientific name for the Siamese fighting fish is Betta splendens.  This fish has its origins in Southeast Asia where it can be found in many types of habitats consisting of Fresh water.  The males of the species were first noted by the Thai people for their pugnacious behavior toward one another.  This trait is utilized for staged fights, much like cock fights, where two males are spared until one retreats and no longer will fight.  The "betta" was not described until 1909 by Reagan, where they were classified to belong to the family Anabantidae, subfamily Ctenopinae, which are labyrinth fish. The labyrinth is an additional breathing organ to the gills which permits the uptake of atmospheric oxygen.  The organ is highly convoluted and is comprised of many heavily vascularized lamellae.  The use of the labyrinth aids in habitats with hot stagnant waters where low oxygen levels prohibit most other species of fish from surviving.  Often times these fish are maintained in quart jars, however they can be kept in aquariums also as long as males are limited to only one per aquarium.  The betta fish are egg layers and deposit their eggs in bubble nets constructed by the male.
 

Requirements:

Temperature	Greater than 78F (25C), Breeding 83 - 86F (28 - 30C).
pH	6.5 - 8.0 More info
Hardness (DH)	3 - 10 (soft-water)   More info
Alkalinity	???
Food	Flakes, frozen or live brine shrimp, frozen or freeze-dried blood worms, beef heart, mosquito larvae, etc.  Fed 1 - 3 times daily. WARNING!!!!    New betta owners click here!!!
Ammonia levels	Less than 1 PPM (parts per million).
Air	Humid air free from drafts, covered container.
Container size	1 quart jars with 16 ounces of fresh water, changed every 2 - 3 days.

Physiology:

Size	2 1/4 in. (6 cm.).
Life spans	2 - 3 years.
School size	Male: 1 per container.        Female: unlimited number is seldom a problem.
Breeding	Egg layers, construct bubble nests.
Breathing	Labyrinth/gills