SdJaCK&SaLLy

Betta splendens, or Siamese Fighting Fish (Pla Kat), is one of the most popular fish in the aquarium world, originally from Thailand and South East Asia. In their homeland, the fish are very popular with people of all ages who raise them for both the pleasure of seeing them and for the fighting game. It sure not an overstatement to say that Pla Kat is a part of Thai culture. It is sad, however, that their mouthbrooding Betta cousins - which have very interesting behaviour - do not get as much attention as they deserve.

Generally we are all familiar with bubblenesting Betta, but this other group of Betta brood their eggs and young in the mouth. These species live in habitats where their water surface does not stay still - which would make bubblenest building impossible. There are currently 4 described, and 1 undescribed, species of mouthbrooding Betta in Thailand.

Betta pi