Siamese fighting fish

Presentation

The Siamese fighting fish is a small freshwater fish native to Southeast Asia, famous for its vibrant colors and majestic fins. Domesticated for centuries in Thailand, it has become one of the most popular aquarium fish in the world.

The Siamese fighting fish sports a laterally compressed body and ample, flowing fins, particularly developed in males. Its scales glow in vibrant colors – blue, red, green or black – which intensify in cases of aggression or territoriality.

Characteristics

Indicative values: they vary by subspecies, sex and region.

Habitat and distribution

In the wild, Siamese fighting fish occupies freshwater rivers, lakes and marshes in Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. It prefers calm, shallow waters, often rich in aquatic vegetation.

Behaviour

The Siamese fighting fish is known for its extreme territorial aggressiveness, particularly among males who fight violently to defend their domain. Males must be kept solitary in an aquarium, while females can live in small, peaceful groups.

Reproduction

The reproduction of the Siamese fighting fish is very developed: the male builds a nest of bubbles on the surface to accommodate the eggs. After fertilization, he fiercely guards the brood, while the female must be removed so as not to be harmed by his aggression.

Peculiarities

The Siamese fighting fish has a respiratory labyrinth, an additional organ that allows it to breathe atmospheric air directly at the surface – a remarkable adaptation to poorly oxygenated waters. This ability allows him to survive in hostile conditions.

Threats and conservation

Siamese fighting fish is classified as vulnerable due to the degradation and fragmentation of its natural habitats, caused by swamp drainage, pollution and urbanization in Southeast Asia. Overexploitation for the aquarium trade also poses a threat.

References

UICN — Liste rouge des espèces menacées

Profile updated 17 August 2026 · Reviewed by the TunisieVet editorial team.