Siamese Fighting Fish

[Fathom Zero]

Phylum: Chordata
Class: Osteichthyes
Order: Perciformes
- Suborder: Anabantoidei
Genus: Betta
Species: Betta splendens

Commonly, (and improperly), known as Bettas, (which is actually a genus, not a species.) Known for their bright colors and long life span, Bettas are incredibly popular in the aquarium circuit.

Bettas are part of the unique suborder Anabantoidei, which are perciform ray-finned freshwater fishes. All of the fishes in this suborder contain a labyrinth organ, which can take oxygen directly out of the atmosphere, i.e. the air, without using gills, lungs, et cetera. This allows the Betta to survive in very shallow waters like puddles and stuff.

I had two at one time. Turns out, they were both males. You know how I found that out? They killed each other.

_______________________

[GADZOOKS]

COOL THINGS I LEARNED IN HIGH SCHOOL

Next Week - GETTING GAMES ON YOUR GRAPHIC CALCULATOR

[Lenor]

A friend of my has close to 30 Betta fish, for some reason this is a neat hobby to him. Among having to separate each of them into their own 'fishy bowls' and aquarium's, and the need to have perfect temp and fresh water consistently.

I THINK HES CRAZY!

[kahljorn]

he's probably a homosexual

[Albino Bat]

I had one once...
He trapped my frog under a log, then commited suicide...
He jumped out of the tank...

[Smon]

I read that people like to study these by putting them in front of a mirror... I wonder... if you lined the aquarium with mirrors so it thought four other fish were there with him would he go insane and just hide?