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Presentation
The Siamese fighting fish is a small freshwater fish native to Southeast Asia, renowned for its vibrant colors and elaborate fins. Domesticated for centuries in Thailand, it has become one of the most popular aquarium fish worldwide.
The fighting fish displays a laterally compressed body and ample, flowing fins, especially pronounced in males. Its scales shimmer with vibrant colors – blue, red, green or black – that intensify when threatened or defending territory.
Characteristics
Indicative values: they vary by subspecies, sex and region.
Habitat and distribution
In the wild, the fighting fish inhabits freshwater rivers, lakes and marshes in Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. It prefers calm, shallow waters, often rich in aquatic vegetation.
CURRENT RANGE
The fighting fish is endemic to Southeast Asia, with a natural range limited to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and possibly Vietnam. However, it has been introduced to many countries through the aquarium trade.
Behaviour
The fighting fish is renowned for its extreme territorial aggression, especially in males that fight violently to defend their domain. Males must be kept solitary in aquariums, while females can live in small peaceful groups.
Reproduction
Reproduction in fighting fish is well-developed: the male builds a bubble nest at the surface to house the eggs. After fertilization, he guards the clutch fiercely, while the female must be removed to avoid being harmed by his aggression.
Peculiarities
The fighting fish possesses a labyrinthine respiratory organ, a supplementary organ that allows it to breathe air directly from the atmosphere at the surface – a remarkable adaptation to oxygen-poor waters. This ability enables it to survive in harsh conditions.
Threats and conservation
The fighting fish is classified as vulnerable due to habitat degradation and fragmentation caused by wetland drainage, pollution and urbanization in Southeast Asia. Overexploitation for the aquarium trade is also a threat.
Numbers and trends vary across sources and regions. See the IUCN assessment for the latest reference data.
Gallery
1 documented photographs.
References
UICN — Liste rouge des espèces menacées
Profile updated 08 August 2026 · Reviewed by the TunisieVet editorial team.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Vulnerable (VU)
IUCN source, latest published assessment.
Similar animals
Other species documented in Animalpedia.