B. splendens grows to an overall length of approximately 6 cm (2.3 inches), and has an average life span of four years. Well kept aquarium specimens have often lived well beyond six years. There are reports of captive Bettas living ten or more years in laboratory settings.

In Asian countries they have long been used in a sport similar to cockfighting, where it was necessary to have aggressive short-finned fish. Today, by selective breeding, it is not uncommon to see B. splendens with an array of colors and tails. One of the most common tail types you will find for a betta is veiltail. Both female and male Bettas are now available in many colors, with new strains being developed constantly by dedicated breeders around the world. Females never develop finnage as showy as males of the same type, and are almost always more subdued in coloration. Also, the temperaments of both sexes are varied. Though males on average are more aggressive, some females have proven more aggressive than their male counterparts.

Bettas have been affectionately nicknamed The Jewel of the Orient due to the wide range of colours, which are produced through Selective breeding. Reds and dark blues are the easiest colours to purchase, being fairly hardy, and often breed true. They come in all colours such as Magenta, Orange (developed by master World Champion betta breeder Gilbert Limhengco), Yellow (rare), and Emerald Green. Breeders have also developed different colour patterns such as Marble and Butterfly, as well as metallic colours such as Copper, Gold and Opaque.


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