Siamese fighting fish

Siamese fighting fish
a labyrinth fish, Betta splendens, that has been bred for centuries to develop brilliant coloration, very long fins, and pugnacity. See illus. at fighting fish.
[1930-35]

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Freshwater tropical fish (Betta splendens;family Belontiidae or Anabantidae), noted for the males' pugnacity toward one another.

A native of Thailand, it was domesticated there for use in contests. Combat consists mainly of fin nipping and is accompanied by a display of extended gill covers, spread fins, and intensified colouring. This slender fish grows to about 2.5 in. (6.5 cm) long. In the wild it is predominantly greenish or brown, with red fins; domesticated, it has been bred with long, flowing fins and in a variety of colours, such as red, green, blue, and lavender.

Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens).

Douglas Faulkner

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▪ fish
 freshwater tropical fish of the family Osphronemidae (order Perciformes), noted for the pugnacity of the males toward one another. The Siamese fighting fish, a native of Thailand, was domesticated there for use in contests. Combat consists mainly of fin nipping and is accompanied by a display of extended gill covers, spread fins, and intensified colouring.

      The fish, elongated and slender, grows to a length of about 6.5 centimetres (2.5 inches). In the wild it is predominantly greenish or brown with moderately sized red fins; under domestication it has been bred with long, flowing fins and in a variety of colours, such as red, green, blue, and lavender. See also labyrinth fish.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Siamese fighting fish — Selectively bred halfmoon male Naturally occurrin …   Wikipedia

  • Siamese fighting fish — noun (plural Siamese fighting fish or Siamese fighting fishes) a bony fish, Betta splendens, which has become highly coloured as a result of selective breeding, and the males of which are very pugnacious. {originated in Thailand, formerly known… …  

  • Siamese fighting fish — Si′amese fight′ing fish n. ich a freshwater fish, Betta splendens, bred for centuries for brilliant color, very long fins, and pugnacity …   From formal English to slang

  • Siamese fighting fish — noun Date: 1929 a brightly colored betta (Betta splendens) that has highly aggressive males and is a popular aquarium fish …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Siamese fighting fish — noun A freshwater fish, scientific name Betta splendens. Syn: betta …   Wiktionary

  • siamese fighting fish — noun Usage: usually capitalized S : betta 2 …   Useful english dictionary

  • Siamese fighting fish — noun see betta …   Useful english dictionary

  • fighting fish — (also Siamese fighting fish) noun a small labyrinth fish native to Thailand, the males of which fight vigorously. [Betta splendens.] …   English new terms dictionary

  • fighting fish — any of several brightly colored labyrinth fishes of the genus Betta, found in Southeast Asia. Also called betta. Cf. Siamese fighting fish. * * * …   Universalium

  • Fighting fish — Fighting Fight ing, a. 1. Qualified for war; fit for battle. [1913 Webster] An host of fighting men. 2 Chron. xxvi. 11. [1913 Webster] 2. Occupied in war; being the scene of a battle; as, a fighting field. Pope. [1913 Webster] {A fighting chance} …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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