Siamese fighting fish

American  

noun

1. a labyrinth fish, Betta splendens, that has been bred for centuries to develop brilliant coloration, very long fins, and pugnacity.

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Siamese fighting fish British  

noun

1. a brightly coloured labyrinth fish, Betta splendens, of Thailand and Malaysia, having large sail-like fins: the males are very pugnacious

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Etymology

Origin of Siamese fighting fish

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

However, bettas, also known as the Siamese fighting fish, did not become living works of art on their own.

From New York Times

Other species making use of color for courtship include the fan-throated lizard, with a wattle of iridescent blue and orange, and the Siamese fighting fish, its tail bristling with blood-orange finnage.

From New York Times

Chareeya and Pran flirt, a ritual that can seem “like two Siamese fighting fish grappling each other in a bottle of glue.”

From New York Times

It is also called Siamese fighting fish in scientific studies and historical accounts, which note as well that it can be found in Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River.

From Seattle Times

Photos of it went viral after Kachen Worachai, 40, who breeds Siamese fighting fish, or Betta, as a hobby, posted them on a private auction group on Facebook.

From The Guardian