What are Betta Fish?
Betta Splendens is the scientific name for a small, colorful freshwater tropical fish known as a betta, beta, or the Siamese fighting fish. Bettas are originally from Asia, however, the colorful varieties in the pet stores are bred locally. Bettas are probably one of the most recognized fish in the aquarium trade, often sold in tiny cups of water, stacked on shelves, side-by-side. This controversial and hotly debated practice is thought to be inhumane by many hobbyists, despite the fact that the betta is a quite extraordinary fish that takes most of its oxygen from the surface, thereby able to exist in oxygen depleted water.
