Betta fish, scientifically named Betta Splendens, are one of the 73 species of the genus Betta native to Southeast Asia — Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia. They are among the longest-domesticated fish, with a history spanning over 1,000 years.
Initially, these fish were domesticated in Thailand, where they were used for fighting and gambling, earning them the nickname Siamese fighting fish. The word “Siamese” refers to a region whose king gave the fish to a famous zoologist Theodore Cantor for study.
To know more about your finned friend, its origin, history, nomenclature and natural behaviors, read our complete article about the betta fish.