Betta Fish | History, Domestication & Care
The Domestic Betta Fish | A Guide to Betta splendens History and Care
What is a Domestic Betta?
A domestic betta is an ornamental Betta splendens that has been selectively bred for aesthetic purposes. Reaching only about three inches in length as an adult, this fish is commonly kept in private and home aquariums and is perhaps one, if not, the most popular aquarium fish in the world. Domestic bettas are selectively bred predominantly from wild-type Betta splendens, originating from Thailand. This is where the betta also gets its other popular name, the Siamese Fighting Fish.
Domestic Bettas are almost always kept in a solitary aquarium with or without compatible tankmates. This is due to their semi-aggressive nature, with males being significantly more territorial than females. However, females can be just as aggressive. There are few circumstances where domestic bettas can live with other bettas. Those being:
1) A Female Betta Sorority- strongly not recommended (will be another topic of discussion in another article)
2) A sibling group of fish that was group reared into adulthood. This is actually a quite successful method as long as you have the right aquarium size and it is densely planted. It is also mentioned in scientific literature to lessen aggression in developing adults.
3) A carefully planned and executed Betta harem/community. This is strongly not recommended unless you are an expert with a large enough aquarium and plant cover, with close observation.
Due to extensive selective breeding, domestic bettas are quite phenotypically diverse in terms of coloration, size, and finnage. The variety that closest resembles wild-type Betta splendens would have to be the "Fighter" Plakat lineages of betta due to the initial selective purpose (read the History section). The initial ornamental varieties derived from ornamental selection were Veiltail and Crowntail Fish according to Zhang et al. 2022. Despite these fish being the first of many ornamental varieties, additional breeding led to fin-based strains such as Double-tail, Halfmoon, Delta-tail, Dumbo, and Elephant Ear. Alongside these strains also came pigment or scale-based lineages through line breeding such as Dragonscale and Koi/Marble fish. These strains and more make up the genetic foundation of even more strains of domestic betta you find available today.
History
The betta has an extensive history of artificial selection and selective breeding that eventually led to the ornamentally diverse domestic Betta splendens. In fact, this extensive breeding actually goes outside the gene pools of Betta splendens itself.
Recent studies indicate that many individual bettas today could potentially be three-way hybrids with 2 other closely related betta species. Within Anabantoidae lies 70+ species of betta fish all native to Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Indonesia. These species are often categorized by the "Complex" they are a part of; an organized taxonomic compartment of closely related individuals. Betta splendens is a member of the Splendens Complex, including other betta species such as Betta imbellis, Betta mahachaiensis, Betta stiktos, and Betta smaragdina. Kwon et al., 2022 have identified that there are many fish with genetic contributions from both Betta imbellis and Betta mahachaiensis. Their genome is still predominantly Betta splendens, with less than 10% genetic contributions from both species altogether.
The domestication history of bettas is quite extensive, older than many nations today in actuality. Kwon et al., 2022 reports that initial selection of bettas goes as far back at the 14th Century in Thailand, where artificial selection was exclusively for combat purposes. Prior to becoming a popular aquatic pet, bettas were used for fighting purposes, similarly to cockfighting which has been outlawed in many countries over animal welfare concerns. The victorious fish would be selected to breed for their aggression, which would in turn have drastic behavioral consequences even on today's betta. It was not until the 20th Century when bettas were beginning to be bred exclusively for ornamental appeal.
Caring for Your Betta
Bettas are considered to be an easy-low maintenance fish due to their perceived natural history which affects their minimum tank size. The common phenomena is that since bettas have labyrinth organs to breathe atmospheric oxygen and have been found in rice paddies and shallow bodies of water, that they can thrive in small aquariums. This statement and those like it are entirely false since most freshwater aquarium fish require equivalent amounts of effort and preparation to properly care for them.
The natural habitat of wild Betta splendens is described to be warm and densely planted. They also have been reported to have a high population density, although that cannot be replicated in captivity due to the genetic history of domestic bettas, and the available aquarium volumes. Despite genetic differences, it is scientifically proven that domestic bettas are best comfortable in an environment that mimics or replicates the natural habit of wild-type Betta splendens. Bender et al., 2025 have reported to find that male and female bettas can distinguish between aquarium decor and spend more time in areas with live aquatic plants. This indicates that environmental enrichment, let alone natural enrichment is incredibly beneficial to bettas.
Below are detailed sections regarding how to best let your betta thrive under your care and key tips to ensure that this happens:
Aquarium Size:
For every aquarium fish, water volume and tank dimensions mean everything to a fish's ability to perform natural behaviors and undergo minimal stress under your care. For bettas, the bare minimum to have a full range of motion and perform natural behaviors without interruption is 10 liters, or 2.5 gallons.
Although it is doable, it is not recommended as Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate would be in greater concentrations due to fish waste. Having an aquarium at least 5-gallons in size is appropriate for just one betta. An aquarium at least 10 gallons in size would suffice for a small betta community tank and would best ensure that your betta thrives under your care.
Shop for Betta Fish Tanks, Aquariums, and Complete Starter Kits
Water Parameters:
Domestic bettas are quite tolerant of water parameters and thrive best in slightly acidic to neutral water conditions. Depending on your source of water or how it is filtered (municipal, reverse osmosis, well-water, etc.) you more than likely require water conditioner to remove chlorine, chloramine, and heavy metals.
| Ideal Betta splendens Aquarium Parameters |
| Temperature: 75-82 °F (24-28 °C) |
| pH: 6.0-7.5 |
| Ammonia, Nitrite: 0 ppm |
| Nitrate: No more than 5 ppm |
| Hardness: About 3-4° for both gH and kH |
To ensure that your water parameters are consistent, purchasing an API Freshwater Master Test Kit is strongly recommended to get quick and accurate results.
If your water's pH is too high for bettas, we recommend using a pH decreasing additive, or using leaf litter and driftwood. Leaf litter and driftwood can leach tannins into the water column, which can be beneficial to your betta. However, if you do not wish to have tannins in your aquarium, it is best to soak or boil your driftwood and leaves prior to adding them.
If your room temperature does not meet the requirements for bettas, we strongly recommend purchasing an aquarium heater
Filtration:
Bettas do best with an aquarium filter that is slow and does not cause strong flow. We strongly recommend sponge filters, like with most freshwater inhabitants due to their low power usage and the effectiveness of biological filtration. You do need to purchase an air pump to run a sponge filter. At Scholarly Exotics, we offer aquarium air pumps, sponge filters with all the appropriate accessories needed to operate them.
Small internal or hang-on-back filters with adjustable flows also work just as well with bettas. We recommend them just as much as sponge filters, and they're also a little more aesthetically pleasing to the eye for some aquarists. We have a few filters on our site that we recommend like this one!
Enrichment/Aquarium Decor:
Bettas being quite investigative and exploratory, appreciate a wide variety or good quality aquarium decorations to interact with.
As previously stated, bettas can distinguish between aquarium decor and prefer live plants over artificial decor. There are dual benefits to using aquatic plants in your aquarium, as they provide natural hiding spaces and enrichment for your fish, while they assist with filtering your aquarium and boosting water quality. Nonetheless, planted aquariums are not for everyone. If you do use artificial decor, please ensure that they are made from silk, so they do not damage your betta's fins.
Bettas are not picky about what live plants are in their aquarium, however the best ones tend to be either fast growing or can take up a vast amount of aquarium space. We strongly recommend the following plants below:
1) Guppy Grass
2) Jungle Val
5) Hornwort
6) Pogostemon stellatus 'Octopus'
7) Pearlweed
Diet:
Bettas are carnivorous, meaning they eat other living animals to survive. Wild Betta splendens would naturally eat small insects, crustaceans, larvae, and zooplankton. Domestic bettas should be receiving a quite similar diet in captivity.
Offering your fish a diverse diet correlates to their welfare and quality of life. Domestic bettas should receive a good, low ingredient, commercial flake/pellet food alongside frozen brine shrimp, krill or bloodworms, and live baby brine shrimp or daphnia. Freeze Dried foods are also a good treat for bettas but should not make up a good portion of their diet.
Luckily, we offer a wide variety of low ingredient, ethically produced fish food that bettas can eat!
Compatible Tankmates:
Domestic Betta splendens can be quite behaviorally diverse ranging from peaceful, to semi-aggressive, and even aggressive individuals that cannot live with any other fish. Below are tank mate options that should co-exist with most bettas, given the right aquarium set up, volume, etc.
1) Neon Tetras
2) Ember Tetras
3) Chili Rasboras
4) Harlequin Rasboras
5) Nerite Snails
6) Kuhli Loach
7) Catfish (Corydoradinae family)
9) Green Neon Tetras
Conclusions:
Thank you for reading this detailed guide and history to Betta splendens, one of the most popular aquarium fish. If you have any additional questions, please contact us at our email: scholarlyexotics@gmail.com and we will respond to you as soon as possible.
Shop for all essential aquarium supplies for bettas and other aquarium fish at our website!