Are betta fish and fighting fish the same?

Betta fish, also called Siamese fighting fish, are small, colorful fish that are native to Southeast Asia and common in the pet trade. In Thailand, people call betta fish “pla kat,” which means “fighting fish,” and it couldn’t be a more appropriate name.

Why betta fish is known as fighting fish?

Betta keeping began in Thailand (formerly Siam) over 150 years ago. Children collected these territorial fish in rice paddies and would place them together to watch them spar, hence the name Siamese Fighting Fish.

Do fighting fish fight to the death?

Betta fish will not always fight to the absolute death. Most of the time they won’t even get close to that point, unless they’ve been selectively bred for aggression or are trapped in a small tank with nowhere for the less dominant betta to hide.

Is fighter fish good for home?

Betta fish can experience frustration and depression. While most of them can be happy in a tank alone, their environment still needs plenty of enrichment, such as caves, plants, and room to explore. They also experience stress—especially when their fins are picked at by other noncompatible fish placed in the same tank.

Can 2 female betta fish live together?

Unlike male betta fish, female betta fish can live together comfortably in the same tank. When they live together, the cohort is called a ‘sorority’. Generally, a good number to keep together is 4-6 female betta fish.

Can 2 male betta fish live together?

The number of bettas that can be kept together in the same aquarium depends on the gender of the betta. Only one male can be kept in an aquarium, as males will fight with one another (hence their common name, Siamese fighting fish). In the wild, one would retreat.

Can I pet my betta fish?

A betta fish should not be touched; it may get spooked and respond by biting you or becoming afraid of you (which would undo any training and playing you’ve been doing to get it used to you). Touching a fish can also affect the natural slime coating by removing it and if this happens, the fish is vulnerable to disease.