Wild-type Siamese Fighting Fish

Betta splendens in its wild form displays muted olive-green and brownish-red colouration, far subtler than its domesticated descendants. Native to Thailand's central plains in rice paddies, drainage ditches, and slow floodplain streams, wild-type males are less intensely aggressive than show strains but still territorial. They are bubble-nest builders.

Water: 24–30°C, pH 6.0–7.5, adaptable to a wide range of hardness. Tank: 20L minimum per fish, tight lid, floating plants for bubble nest construction. Feeding: Carnivore — live/frozen invertebrates, high-protein pellets; avoid flake-only diets. Behaviour: Males highly aggressive toward each other; keep singly. Compatibility: Can coexist with peaceful, non-nippy community fish in larger tanks.