Page 57 - Atlas Of The World's Strangest Animals
P. 57
SIAMESE FIGHTING FISH 57
Key Facts ORDER Perciformes / FAMILY Belontiidae /
GENUS & SPECIES Betta splendens
Weight Less than 10g (0.3oz)
Length Up to 6cm (2.4in)
Sexual maturity 3–4 months
Breeding season Not recorded
Number of eggs Up to 500
Incubation period 24–30 hours
Breeding interval Not recorded
Typical diet Insects and insect larvae
Lifespan Up to 2 years in the wild; 7 in captivity
Labyrinth organ
Inside the fighting fish’s gill
cavity is the labyrinth organ.
This additional respiratory
organ enables the fish to take
oxygen directly from the air,
rather than from the water.
(c) 2011 Marshall Cavendish. All Rights Reserved.
