Where do betta fishes live?

Betta fishes are native to Southeast Asia, specifically Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. They naturally inhabit shallow waters such as rice paddies, streams, canals, and ponds. Betta fishes prefer warm, slow-moving waters with plenty of vegetation and cover, such as plants and driftwood. They are known to be territorial and aggressive towards each other, so they are often kept alone in aquariums.