fighting fish

American  

noun

1. any of several brightly colored labyrinth fishes of the genus Betta, found in Southeast Asia.

---

fighting fish British  

noun

1. any of various labyrinth fishes of the genus Betta , esp the Siamese fighting fish

---

Example Sentences

When fly-fishing a river, even the best day involves minutes — not hours — of actually fighting fish.

From Washington Post • Jul. 9, 2015

The cabinets are crammed with slides splashed with the fuchsia-stained genomes of fruit bats, Siamese fighting fish and ostriches.

From New York Times • Mar. 5, 2015

Dr Portugal explained that for the fighting fish this "seemingly gentleman-like behaviour" is purely tactical.

From BBC • Nov. 29, 2012

Siamese fighting fish are bred to bring out their violent characters Siamese fighting fish take gulps of air from above water so they can continue to clash, say scientists.

From BBC • Nov. 29, 2012

A row of glass jars Brother Khoi used to raise fighting fish.

From "Inside Out and Back Again" by Thanhha Lai