History

The people of Siam (now Thailand) originally started collecting these fish prior to the 1800s. Known as "plakat," which means tearing or biting fish.

The wild bettas generally would have short-lasting fights of only a few minutes or so before one fish backed off. However, once they were bred specifically for fighting, these matches could go on for hours. The winner was determined by his willingness to continue fighting. Once one fish retreated the match was over. Large amounts would be wagered on these fights, with potential losses as great as a person's home.

Seeing the popularity of these fights, the King of Siam started licensing and collecting these fighting fish. In 1840, he gave some of his prized fish to a man who, in turn, gave them to Dr. Theodor Cantor, a medical scientist. Nine years later, Dr. Cantor wrote an article describing them under the name Macropodus Pugnax. In 1909, Mr. Tate Regan realized that there was already a species with the name Macropodus Pugnax, and renamed the Siamese fighting fish Betta Splendens. It is believed that Mr. Regan got the name from a warrior-like tribe of people in ancient Asia named "Bettah.