Bettas are very special fishes, not just because of how beautiful they are, but because they actually breathe air. Really. Betta fish, and some other special fishes like Paradise Fishes, Gouramis and the Climbing Perch (which can actually make its way across land for short distances), all have labyrinth organs. This puts them in the family Anabantidae, and has them some refered to as Anabantids.

These membrane-covered bones allow bettas to breathe air. The labyrinth does have to stay wet to function, though, so when a betta jumps out of its bowl, it can still die.

While the labyrinth organ is an amazing adaptation, it does put bettas at a disadvantage sometimes. They can suffocate if they can’t get to the surface. This is why the “betta vases” sold are so dangerous to the fish – as the plant grows the betta make no longer be able to get to the surface for a bit of air, and it can actually suffocate. Its also important that any betta container – even if its just for traveling – has some air at the top. If possible, all traveling containers for bettas should be 1/3 water and 2/3 air. Bettas are OK in barely more than an inch of water (just so it’s a very short time they’ll be like that), but they need access to air at all times.