The History of Betta Keeping & Domestication. Siamese Fighting Fish Genetics & Wild Betta Splendens.

[@Fishtory]

Sources for this video's research, and some awesome genetic publication links are available in my community tab

[@JuanAndreBautista]

BONITOPuedameno

[@Gator3000]

Bro you still into Bettas? Where would you recommend to buy beautiful healthy Bettas??? Oh that ships to Hawaii???

[@tum61977]

Love your channel. I live in Thailand. If you get a chance to come out here, I'll take you to the aquarium fish market.

[@arafathabib4020]

As a scientist myself and a Betta lover, I just love your videos.

[@Fishtory]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@nirvanaquatics]

This is why I hold a membership to your channel, Alex. This is the exact kind of information I want, but never have the time or attention to properly research, myself.

[@Fishtory]

Well i really appreciate your support and your contributions here in this community. I look up to your aquascaping style and taste as well :) thanks again!

[@breedersjourney]

bro... so much respect to you for this holy shit. i have been a betta nerd since i was a small child and this is exactly the info i wanted to find when i researched forums and breeders logs and watched thai breeders farms not knowing a single word they were saying. its criminal that this doesnt have 1 million views at least. they are fighting fish my guy, straightup, i understand if youtube doesnt like that so "performance bred" might be a better alternative but thats a huge part of why they exist we cant forget. just like chickens they werent originally kept just to be pretty.... thats a modern bias. anyway lemme stop i love your work bruthah u earned my sub and i will be following you from here out so keep it up 😁

[@Fishtory]

Thank you very kindly 🙏. I try and do this style video for any deep dive the last year...prior to 1 year ago, i still researched videos like this, but didn't have a computer to edit video well for graphics on a longer video. But now i do :) Welcome my friend!

[@katicasey4610]

Bettas have been my favorite fish ever since I was a kid, this is such great information!

[@Fishtory]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@RyanStonedonCanadianGaming]

Thank you for your time and knowledge!

[@Fishtory]

Hey thank you so very much Ryan. Your support and precesne make it all possible. Cheers!

[@StarTexaspets]

Love your channel sir and share it with friends often. I find it helps drag others into the hobby 😂🙏

[@Fishtory]

Awesome, thank you so much! We need more good nerdy and yet outgoing fish lovers...nature lovers hah

[@NantThananan]

Shout out from Thailand! Dude, you just took us down another rabbit hole. Amazing info.

[@Fishtory]

Glad to hear it! Id love to know if you've got any thai resources ( i read you have a museum there dedicated to them?) Id love to find some thai primary documents that are older than the 1750s. If you ever have insight on how id get scans or photos of such a thing. Thanks regardless hehe. Cheers!

[@NantThananan]

@@Fishtory That museum is not as detailed as your video. However, I might be able to hook you up with people who have access to more resources. Will let you know.

[@Kzie100]

You’re the most informative channel so far. Couldn’t help but to comment, after just watching you yesterday. I’m especially a huge fan of forwardness & clear explanations, yet the level of knowledge and understanding you have for these fish and fish history-which I rarely see from other history channels in general. Which is why I gravitate towards your content the most, especially with topics less discussed yet are worth’s a lot to deep dive on. Keep up the good work!

[@jmdq1]

WOW we really are newbies in fish keeping, when you talk about the history of fish keeping !

[@jmdq1]

We think it goes back a few hundred years, I mean

[@BeeKayCee911]

Thank You 👍 I Have Kept Betta's all my life and I turned 67 Today 2-6-23 its nice Learning about My Life Long Pets🐠

[@Fishtory]

Aww awesome, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Thanks for tuning in to such a nerdy one lol

[@berenicehickey9755]

Me too! Also I'm 67 as well! British but live in Singapore where the Forest Betta occurs as an indigenous species.....

[@ranikesa2329]

Thanks!

[@Fishtory]

You are so very welcome

[@GaychelsFishtube]

I've watched this video so many times

[@Fishtory]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@sk000p4]

Thanks for your amazing videos. I love all the knowledge I gain from all the work you do. It was very nice meeting and chatting with you at aquarium coop ( pink jacket guy ) this past sunday. Keep up the outstanding work.

[@Fishtory]

Oh right on! Welcome and thank you. Hopefully you can come to the GSAS meeting on the 14th of Feb, when i discuss human and fish evolutionary history and links to fishkeeping around the world

[@tapewormjr.388]

I showed this to my betta and he sat there staring at you for a solid minute. Approved

[@Fishtory]

Hahahahha

[@clioding]

Your angelfish is just watching you from the back the whole time, and from1:04:05 onwards it wants your attention!

[@simonark1176]

Love this channel brother!!! 0% ego 100% relevant info..... You go above and beyond to souce and share your knowledge so generously 🙏

[@Fishtory]

I appreciate that very much. Thank you and welcome! I hope you enjoy the 1000 video backlog while im starting to fire up new videos again, after having some serious health issues. Cheers have a great week as well

[@simonark1176]

Wishing you a strong recovery!! You have so much useful material on your channel and personally I'm eating it up like it's candy 👍

[@jjz3192]

The angelfish tank behind you is amazing! Do you have a video showcasing that tank? If do, please give me the link, thanks

[@Fishtory]

Its in a lot of my livestreams and updates. I think my video called UPDATES from a week ago or so... has the best look at it

[@emilyyousey3122]

very helpful. There really is not much information out there so I appreciated this

[@Fishtory]

So glad it was of use to someone other than me haha. I was let down by what was out there and have been looking into these questions for almost 6 years...then this massive DNA based study kinda fell into my lap and tied it all together. Thanks for tuning in. Cheers

[@veenorbury1429]

I was saving this video for when I could sit down and really digest it, and WOW! Amazing work, thank you so much for this vid! I'm sure a huge amount of time and effort went into it and that really shows.

[@Fishtory]

Thank you very kindly. Im honored and humbled by your support. Thank you for tuning in

[@nataliearonson5669]

Watching your videos is like therapy ;) You are absolutely wonderful!

[@Fishtory]

You are far too kind. Shucks. Thank you so much for tuning in and leaving your kind words

[@dellseasandoval8187]

I appreciate your extensive research & knowledge on this topic.

[@Fishtory]

I... appreciate that you appreciate it haha. Cheers

[@calebwatson3023]

I have seen 2 betta of mine change their sex and their color. Out of about 3,000 fish I’ve had 2. Both have produced offspring that are fertile. It’s weird but cool!

[@Fishtory]

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

[@skyoakes-nash8639]

Absolutely fascinating !! I’ve been so looking for just this detailed information since I fell in love with these little guys ! As an environmental studies student , linking the betta’s story with the development of the Anthropocene and the information around urbanisation and domestication of animals ( including ourselves!) is absolutely fascinating!!!! I want more !!!

[@Fishtory]

I will continue to study these amazing creatures and relay anything of interest in discover :)

[@BrodysBettas]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge, I absolutely love your videos and have learned so much from you!

[@Fishtory]

Thank you very much

[@alexsala1416]

This is excellent content. Nothing comparable on any aquarium channel on YT.

[@chia_pet7121]

52:47 I bet the tournament bowls looked fantastic.

[@Fishtory]

Totally. Very fancy

[@suanhak]

Came across your channel only today.. Great work. You just remind me when I was a kid back in the 60s..catching spiders, ants and also betta for flighting at least it was our pasttime as we dont have TV. I remembered that we had 2 very distinct species in Southern Malaysia. The colourful one we found at the swampy area and a less colourful one, slightly greenish and much bigger but not aggressive at all, that we catch on the inner interior highland .Thanks again. I still keep and bred betta at 70 😊

[@Fishtory]

Thanks for sharing and welcome to the channel, my friend

[@skydancer4412]

Thanks for taking the time to do this great video.Have a good day.

[@Fishtory]

Thanks, you too!

[@betta_360]

Plakat Cheen means roughly Chinese Plakat.. plakat used to mean any betta, it was the Chinese that first traded and bred the longfin variety, because there stock was so inbred after a while from being removed from wild stock it started making mutations in the fin length and shape. The Chinese then traded these mutations back to the Thai

[@Fishtory]

Thanks for the info, i found that to be mentioned of plakats in chang mai and northern thailand, and then Bangladesh/Cambodia swapped lines in the 1700s for the bigger tail fins according to several sources

[@aquapuncture]

Very appreciated, Alex! Looking forward to part 2!👏 Where's your betta emoji?

[@Fishtory]

Thank you kindly... and yes i can add more emojis... a betta will be one for sure!

[@GlitchAQ]

Amazing video! Looking great buddy!!

[@Fishtory]

Thank you for stopping by and your words of kindness! Cheers!

[@jenibthatisme]

This is the channel I was looking for! Wow!! Excellent information presented in an intelligent but easily understood manner. Thank you!

[@Fishtory]

Awesome, thank you! And welcome 🙏 to the community here!

[@jenibthatisme]

Thanks!

[@jenibthatisme]

Have 3 separate Betta tanks. They are so unique, curious and wonderful. I'm obsessed and really appreciate your video!!

[@Fishtory]

Thank you so much! This one was many many hours and actually waiting years in the making! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Cheers

[@chia_pet7121]

45:25 This is the Anime, or "Kawaii" effect. 🌸🌸🌸

[@Fishtory]

Lol

[@beefbeef5342]

This was amazingly interesting. I never thought I would come across something that went so deep into the history of one type of domestic fish. I gained so much knowledge I didn’t even know I was lacking in. I had no idea there was so much research on bettas. I don’t have any currently but they were one of the first fish I ever kept and they’ve always been so fascinating to me as a species. This video alone made them a hundred times more fascinating. Keep up the great work dude. There’s a lot of great KZbinrs and aquarists out there but no one who does it like you. Thank you for the awesome content. So glad I came across your channel. I wish I’d found it sooner!

[@Fishtory]

Thank you very kindly. This project literally took several years toǰ research, and cutting edge genetic innovation, to allow for the confirmation of my book research and speaking with keepers around the world. So I'm honored and so happy you enjoyed it. Thank you!

[@beefbeef5342]

@@Fishtory Your years of experience and dedication to the subjects you learn and tell us about are certainly appreciated and not lost on your viewers. Thank you!

[@idealchanful]

Ah, you are anthropologist, thats why I like your content. Hi collegue

[@Fishtory]

Haha hello! It is a fascinating field!

[@WorldInTranslation]

Amazing, thank you for this. You gonna write a book?

[@Fishtory]

Working on it!

[@dantreuthart9146]

Hi Alex, Thanks for the intriguing genetic history of the Betta. I have never kept Bettas but found your video quite interesting. Your information has piqued my curiosity in searching for fish foods that are high in carotenoids. Cheers

[@Fishtory]

I highly recommend it!

[@the186element2]

Nothing like some Betta History.Thanks Alex for the deep dive into Betta’s…Replay Crew.

[@Fishtory]

Thanks brother

[@melissaskinner4501]

Amazing work,you’ve done fantastic research.Thankyou for the information and insight

[@Fishtory]

So nice of you. Thank you kindly

[@kinglyzard]

7:20 Definitely a Betta for a Green Bay Packers fan. Go Pack Go!!

[@Fishtory]

Hahaha

[@taniamans2026]

Need more videos like this... ❤ this kind of videos. Can only be found on your channel

[@naegwut]

My Betta is so grumpy. I love him

[@Fishtory]

Lol its not his fault...its ours lol

[@marwanalaa5364]

great information

[@Fishtory]

Thanks for that!

[@l.halawani]

Very interesting, I know a lot about genetic properties of phenotypic characteristics, such as dominance and inheritance, but this is an amazing dive into the history and where it all came from. Thank you for sharing. Since this is becoming my most viewed channel I still wish there was a bit more video footage and a little bit less podcast style presentation. This is one of the most visually stunning subjects in aquarium hobby, and I would love to SEE its history too. Cheers and all the best :)

[@Fishtory]

Yeah if i could find footage thats free to use of the wild bettas or stock footage of asia, id re-edit it ... the modern episode should be easier to show off morphs in

[@marybrooks9098]

Bettas are amazing! Thank you, awesome deep dive!

[@Fishtory]

My pleasure! Thanks for joining me!

[@j.e.k.6014]

It's refreshing for someone to acknowledge context when viewing history, as opposed to the pearl clutching of a modern moral lens, which is all too common these days.

[@Fishtory]

Im a bigtime believer in truth lol. We dont have to like it, or even understand it, but we should have access to some form of it!

[@Nafeesulhaq]

excellent content brother! it was very informative and helpful. i will use this knowledge to keep my bettas healthier and happier!

[@Fishtory]

Glad it was helpful!

[@FishCapadesProductions]

Thanks for another great video! ❤️ ❤️

[@Fishtory]

You are so welcome!

[@chia_pet7121]

My eyes are rolling back into my skull. I'm listening to this while working on the computer and the morning coffee isn't cutting it. You need to jump scare a few ANGRY BETTA FACES to bring back focus to those of us that have more of a 'relaxed' way of absorbing knowledge. The mind is a sponge, but mine has turned into one of those hard, cheap, kitchen sink ones.

[@Fishtory]

Lol well thanks for trying. Its really long.

[@brushitoff503]

Thanks Alex, this was as epic as I thought it might be!

[@Fishtory]

Glad you enjoyed it. Part 2 is much more variety but sort of just more of listing traits and color morphs by year they appeared after the 1930s or so

[@vangthao4624]

So much research and knowledge. Born in Thailand and long time fish keeper this make sense to me. Thank you!

[@Fishtory]

So nice of you to say. I'm so glad my research and interviews were accurate haha...sometimes americans...well more just ANYONE online, will copy and paste info and I was trying to skip all the stuff written in the last 40 years mostly...and look into the afchaeology, history and genetic work. Cheers my friend 🧡

[@JoseTorres-fn1vk]

Love the video good day

[@Fishtory]

Glad you enjoyed it, and thank you

[@Maxdeexx]

Simply the best.

[@Fishtory]

Thank you kindly

[@ThomasOwl]

Nice! I'm an archaeologist too.

[@Fishtory]

Right on! TCHysah! Party On

[@Neuri]

man, this was astonishing! Thank u Alexander so informative!!

[@Fishtory]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mattkinsella9856]

Thanks so much for this, it's so informative. I have often thought about the possibility of multiple origins of the domestic Betta and those thoughts came from noticing 2 distinct mouth types in the Bettas I've kept. 1 is definitely smaller and more round and the second type is larger, wide and long. Because this was not about just color or fin length mutations, it really made me think about the possibility of different species genetics making up the modern domestic Betta. Thanks for filling in some gaps in my knowledge.

[@Fishtory]

Yes! Thanks for tuning in. Its sort of interesting that line breeding works, but the mutations are on different genes in different species...it means that very few traits are traceable visually...its all down to dna annoyingly

[@babylon7311]

wow,this is so much information ,thanks for the research

[@Fishtory]

Sure thing

[@brandymcclain1061]

Do you have a biology degree? You are so knowledgeable and spot on. I took oceanography and ichthyology and many other zoology topics. Thank you!

[@Fishtory]

Well i took a lot of biology, geology, chemistry and anatomy for archaeology...but its been 15 or 20 years now. Mostly independent research with the search skills i picked up in college i suppose. Thank you though. Im glad you enjoyed it and also happy to hear it sounds correct to someone like you haha

[@Teddzworth]

Been waiting for this one!

[@Fishtory]

Wait no longer, my friend! Hehe

[@alancarter9471]

This is Awesome!

[@Fishtory]

Thanks Alan

[@darbymoyer1725]

Your channels sick man! Also I notice you’ve replied to almost every comment the dedication is cool to see brother keep going your gonna do cool thinga

[@ponygirl1624]

Just Brilliant! Thanks Alex

[@Fishtory]

Glad you liked it!

[@naomiwaters]

Really interesting- thank you so much for sharing!

[@Fishtory]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@deMucha]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and research Alex!

[@Fishtory]

My pleasure! Thank YOU for tuning in

[@AquaticMoose]

Awesome. Love to see the deep dives instead of all this surface info so widely available

[@Fishtory]

Glad you like it! Thank you. It's a hard demographic to target since it doesn't get shared much, or full watch times...which hurts the reach of the video. But i still think it's the best way to share the info. Thanks again -Alex

[@aryah1513]

Haha how about "S!amese Throw-Down Fish" or "S!amese Take-It-Outside Fish"?

[@mystichobbies]

Thank you

[@Fishtory]

You're welcome 😊 Thank YOU!

[@digitalPisces818]

fascinating, thank you!

[@Fishtory]

Of course. Glad you enjoyed it

[@RadarEcho1]

This is amazing well done.

[@Fishtory]

Why thank you. I wish more people seemed to care...but i had fun making it ☺️ i was just surprised at how few folks have watched it

[@zique9]

Thank you for sharing. So much amazing and comprehensive information. Information not just about the history that created the modern "betta", but also a wealth of knowledge about animal domestication, human nature, geography, geology, cultural/human history, genetic biology... and I could go on and on and on.. Much respect. Sincerely

[@Jango516]

Thanks for that info bro.. bloody fascinating.. peace

[@Fishtory]

Thank you!

[@BobBombadil]

Have you ever thought about working somewhere like the California Academy of Sciences? You'd fit right in there. (I'm commenting partially just to help the algorithm, but I really do mean it lol)

[@Fishtory]

I haven't really...but ill look into it. Thank you. I used to teach 101 type classes also.

[@jesperborg3749]

Nice episode Cant wait for episode 2

[@Fishtory]

I appreciate it!(

[@juliev123]

Thank you very much for this excellent video I really enjoyed learning about the betta today wow!

[@Fishtory]

Glad you enjoyed it! It was many years of research for one video haha

[@Macaco_Laser]

You make the best most interesting and important aquarium videos

[@AndreaDingbatt]

Fintastic!! Thank you so much, I will be keeping an eye out for the next chapter!! Thank You for the amount of studying, details and historical context and details!! Namasté 🙏 Andrea and Critters. . ....XxX...

[@BigStevesGlassBoxes]

Excellent job! Extremely informative talk!

[@Fishtory]

Much appreciated! Thank you

[@luinnia]

Underrated video

[@Fishtory]

Thank you kindly... i worked literally years on this and my caradina shrimp history videos. So im very humbled by your kind words

[@andicarson1339]

Thank-you, Alex! Love the info!

[@Fishtory]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you 😊

[@kellycarroll6829]

good video! safe travels and blessings to you and your family! 🌟

[@Fishtory]

Thank you! You too!

[@andycarter4581]

Fascinating stuff, thanks for putting the work in 👍

[@Fishtory]

My pleasure!

[@AndyP126]

Thank you pronouncing betta properly and not confusing it with a Greek letter.

[@stemcellwhoax]

this is incredible!

[@BrodysBettas]

Thank you so much for your content! You have helped me decide to start breeding and I appreciate all the information you gladly put out for everyone! Maybe soon I can start some long videos too!

[@Fishtory]

You are so welcome! Do it... cite sources, make long videos ...we need to resist the tiktok world

[@BrodysBettas]

@@Fishtory I appreciate the support! I tell everybody about your channel, too!

[@hansday2707]

Very intresting, don’t know if i missunderstood. Does bigger fins mean less aggressive?

[@Fishtory]

So it is independent of agression genetically speaking, but also domestically the larger the fins, the less agressive they tend to be due to mobility and selection for looks and not temperment...so they tend to be about the same as a wild fish, since they were breed seperate from the figgting lines. However, the hybrids with imbellis and mahachaiensis are naturally more peaceful also...and they have short but pointed fins generally and more individually distinct scales. Its a bit of a mess genetically since some ornamental fish were bred from fighting fish or fighting fish loser groups also... and others were line bred starting far later, like in the 1930s from newly caught wild species they mixed and hybridized for appearance and not agression or health.... those tend to be peaceful. But basically you need a dna test to know the differences for sure... Other than a red short fin domestic will tend to still be artificially more agressive from 1000 years of fighting genes... where as wild short fin reds like plakat strains, are fairly peaceful still too. Also, the issue with larger fins, is more chance to get damaged by fellow fish or even hardscape... more cells and area to catch disease and a body designed to look good and not worrying about being healthy. Lastly, large fins do signal to fellow bettas "danger" and " this is my area, fight me"... so sometimes long fins get a reputation for being more agressive, but its just that in the wild raised fins, spread out with color is a signal to fight, so other fish or even the fishes' own reflection can stress and startle the larger finned males. Sorry, it's not so cut and dry.

[@jmdq1]

I know in my litter of line bred puppies there were different temperaments among the litter. Some more reserved and others more competitive and challenging. Even at 2 to 4 weeks old. So it can be from from the same fishery these bettas can differ in their behavior in your tank . When God created different “Kinds” of animals they already had the genetic material to change into different types. We manipulate by selective breeding. Most dogs if left to breed naturally without man’s interference, will in only 7 generations, go back to their original type. If we threw all the fish in hobbyists tanks back into the wild, if they survived the young would eventually go back to their original type.

[@masterofreality.o0o.535]

Simply fascinating. 10/10 on this, wonderful work. Must dig more into the Betta taxonomy.

[@Fishtory]

Please do! And thank you kindly

[@michelledavis1477]

Love the new content

[@ownup440]

I take mad bong rips to your videos bro respect to you and your content 💪💪💪

[@Fishtory]

🤙 you do you homie! However it sits best 👍

[@deadfall0324]

Could I put two female bettas in a ten gallon aquarium? I have 6 ember tetra and one female betta with very dense plant life. The female that I have has shown no signs of aggression even over food with the ember tetras that are in the tank and I have never seen her chase them.

[@Fishtory]

I think so. Just keep an eye on them for the first few days and double check that they arent going at it enough to leave any marks

[@jaygee3767]

Thank you. I appreciate your research.

[@Fishtory]

Thank you very much. The sources that are public are listed in my community tab

[@deadbirdkitsch]

I just discovered your channel and it's all great stuff but this video is absolutely fucking fascinating. I really enjoyed it. I'm not sure if i missed part 2 going through your videos or if it isn't out yet, but i am rabid for it.

[@donnieji4825]

This Phd doctor cool af

[@Fishtory]

Lol no phd. But thanks

[@sagep.lindsay5236]

Cool

[@patricialindsay2649]

The sweater and scarf is a good look ,Profesional.

[@Fishtory]

Thanks lol. On deeper dives, im going for anthropology professor at a liberal arts school- Look haha

[@georgeyboyhowe1685]

what information do you have on the betta mandor

[@Fishtory]

None for domestication as far as i know. It is in a wild complex and separate genus from splendens

[@judybasco983]

❤ Love this topic, Alex 😊 me, being a betta keeper ❤️

[@Fishtory]

Thank you. Im very happy to hear that! Ill be speaking at GSAS next week and part of this will be discussed along with 4 or 5 other fish that humans kept early on.

[@judybasco983]

@@Fishtory please text me about it… time and place, please 🙏🤗

[@KettmanAquatic]

If anything the red color of the betta would show it has a good immune system right? Or why would the other bettas care why would it evolve be a good trait

[@Fishtory]

It shows that there is excess carotenoids in the environment... or that one male successfully acessed more than usual. So more so a sign her babies will have enough to go around, because after the male fertilizes eggs, his fitness doesnt matter more than a few days from darwinian evolution pov. its also a sign the male has kept a large range and will fight others away from the nest and have a larger space for her babies.