Taxonomy

Kingdom- Animalia 

Phylum- Chordata

Class- Actinopterygii

Family- Osphronemidae 

Order- Anabantiformes 

Genus- Betta 

Species- B. Splendens 

Description

Physical description of the animal (with at least 3 pictures)- small, slender fish, colored brown and green with the occasional tint of red

Point key characteristics of species- have labyrinth breathing airways that sit closer to the top of their bodies; they have the potential to be very genetically diverse, as seen by all the subspecies created by breeders

Size- 2.4-3.1 inches 

Weight- 1.2 grams 

Life Span- roughly 2 years 

Differences between Males and Females- males are slightly larger and brighter then females

Evolution

All Subspecies- Betta Splenden, Betta Siamorentalis, Betta Imbellis, Betta Mahachaiensis, Betta Smaragdina, Betta Smaragdina Guitar, Betta Unimaculata, Betta Hendra, Betta Uberis, Betta Brownorum, Betta Miniopinna, Betta Persephone- Johor, Betta Api Api- Riau, Betta Burdigala- Bangka, Betta Rutilan, Betta Livida, Betta sp. Wajok, Betta Albimarginata- Malinau, Betta Channoides- Melak, Betta Channoides- Samarinda, Betta Albimarginata- Sebuku

(Note: Most of these species are captive bred) 

How long has this species been in existence- first appeared in the late 19th century in the west 

Closing living relative to this species- gourami fish 

ancestors of this species- potentially the Haikouichthy (518 million years ago in China)