Betta, Bleeker, 1850, is a genus of freshwater fish in the gourami family (Osphronemidae), found predominantly in Southeast Asia. The type species is the spotted betta (B. picta), but the best-known species is the Siamese fighting fish (B. splendens). Many Betta species are well-suited as aquarium specimens.

The male Betta builds the nest for the female's eggs by blowing sticky air bubbles. These bubbles froth at the surface of the water. After the nest is built, the male will entice the female to the nest. Once the female under the nest, the male will wrap around the female and embrace her to squeeze the eggs out. when the egg is out, the male quickly fertilize the eggs. The male will recover from the embrace and catch the sinking eggs. Once the young hatch, the male briefly guards them. A male may build such a nest even if there is no female present, though he will only build it if he is well taken care of. Male bettas are so aggressive toward rivals that only one may be kept in the same tank. Females can be aggressive as well, though generally not as much so as the males. To minimize conflict in the case of multiple female bettas sharing a tank, a minimum of three should be kept.

The reason for the previous classification of Betta among the anabantids is its possession of the labyrinth organ characteristic of that family. This is located just behind the head and it is a small chamber with many folds covered in tissue with many blood vessels that allow it to breathe atmospheric air.

This is useful in the oxygen-poor waters where Betta live, and it is so dependent upon it that a Betta will die if it cannot reach the water surface to breathe.

*Descriptions provided by Dictionary of Everything, Dictionary of Fish