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Editorial Note: The below article I took from the book “THE FRESH-WATER FISHES OF SIAM, OR THAILAND” By Hugh M. Smith*. The SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 188, reprinted 1965 by T.F.H. Publication, Inc. Jersey City, N.J. 07302, U.S.A.
A book has about 622 pages. I am only extracting some parts of the book that concerning to the Plakat Thai. I just hope that the copyright holder of this book do not mind.
The sole intension to present this article in my website is only for an educational purpose. I am quite sure that there are not many Betta fans ever read this article before. Though it has been using as a material in many Betta books. I am considering the “ THE FRESH-WATER FISHES OF SIAM, OR THAILAND” By Hugh M. Smith is the valuable historical manuscript that, whoever interested in Plakat Thai is compulsory to read.
To avoid any promotive mind to the Plakat Thai, I am not giving any comment at any point in the article. Dr. Huge M. Smith has presented the picture in that period of time very complete and clear. A story has told itself. Though article was written in 1923. But I believe that the story of Plakat Thai that Dr. Huge M. Smith has mentioned lead back at least in the year 1900 or even longer. Because when one telling something one is telling the past experiences. Whatsoever, I hope the reader can enjoy very much in this classic article.
* Dr. Hugh McCormick Smith, formally United States Commissioner of Fisheries (1913 – 1922), Adviser in Fisheries to the Siamese Government (1923 – 1935), and after 1922 Associate Curator in Zoology in the United States National Museum, died on September 28, 1941.
The principal basis for this work is the
collections and observations made in Siam by the writer in the years 1923 – 34,
during which he was adviser in fisheries to the Siamese Government. All sections of the country were
visited, large collections were preserved and information was obtained by
personal observations and by interviews with local officials and fishermen.
These collections were supplemented by specimens brought in by various
assistants in the Siamese Bureau of Fisheries. (p.3).
The Thai people
share with the people of other nationalities a keen interest in and love for
contests of skill, fleetness, and endurance among the lower animals, whether
racing horses, racing dogs, fighting cocks, jumping frogs, fighting crickets,
or fighting and wrestling fishes.
The
idea of using fishes in matched contests seems to have originated among the
Thai, and Thailand is the only country in which fish - fighting may be
considered a national sport.
The fishes that in
Thailand have for many years been employed as combatants are a cyprinodont
(Aplocheilus panchax), two anabantids (Betta splendens and Trichopsis
vittatus), and a hemiramph (Dermogenys pusillus). Two of these have long been cultivated, and their fighting
stamina has been greatly improved by cultivation. In the case of all these species, only the adult males are
employed.
The
pugnacious disposition of the little halfbeak Dermogenys is manifested in an
entirely different manner from that of Betta. The exhibition of strength and
endurance, on which the encounters are decided, can best be described as
wrestling; and as the fish had no distinctive English name I ventured in 1923
to suggest that it be called wrestlingfish, a designation that has since been
generally used. The Thai name, pla khem, or needlefish, in allusion to the long
sharp lower jaw, is applied to various other halfbeaks, which, as far as known,
do not engage in combats. (p.
35)
This, the celebrated fightingfish of
Thailand, has a wide natural distribution in ponds, ditches, drains, and
sluggish waters generally throughout the country. It does not appear to have been
indigenous to any other country, but it is now to be found around the world
because of its attractiveness, hardiness, and adaptability to small
aquariums.
The
maximum length of wild fish Is about 5 cm. For males, females being somewhat
smaller. A length of 6 to 6.5 cm. Is attained by male fish bred in captivity.
Earlier references
to this species were usually under the name of Betta pugnax (Cantor). It remained for Regan in 1910 to point
out that B. pugnax is native to the island of Pinang and that the Thailand form
is distinct.
For
several hundred years the fish has been used locally for sporting purposes, and
for more than 90 years it has been domesticated and cultivated. Cultivation has
increased the size, improved the colors, and enhanced the fighting qualities.
The
habits, cultivation, and fighting of this fish are the subjects of a rather
voluminous literature. Accounts
based on first-hand information and personal observations and experience have
been published by the present writer. (1937a, 1937b). From the latter account the following statements have been
abstracted:
In
a wild state the fighting fish is an inconspicuous, retiring little creatures,
seeking protection from the glare of the sun’s rays and from fish-eating birds
like egrets, herons, and kingfishers by hiding beneath and among water plants.
The general
coloration of a quiescent fish is dull grayish brown or green with or without
obscure dark lateral bands, and conveys no suggestion of the wonderfully
brilliant hues assumed by the male under proper stimulations Under the stress
of excitement the male fish exhibits a remarkable change. All the fins are widely spread, the
gill membrances are expanded and project like a frill or ruff suggestive of the
raised hackles of fighting cocks, and the entire body and fins become intensely
suffused with a lustrous blue or red color, which makes the fighting fish one
of the most beautiful of all fresh-water fishes.
The normal incitement to the display of latent colors is the
approach of another male, but the same effect is produced when a fish sees his
reflection in a mirror.
Observations on
fishes kept under the most favorable conditions in aquaria indicate that this
species is normally short-lived. Possibly as a result of its strenuous activity
and rapid metabolism, possibly because its span of life is predetermined by
some immutable hereditary requirement, the fish in Siam appears to reach its
age limit in 2 years, but under domestication in colder climates a somewhat
greater age may be attained.
The
common human custom of making animals compete among themselves for individual
supremacy, and of laying wagers on the outcome of the contests, has, among the
Siamese, been directed particularly to fish.
At least for different kinds of fishes belonging in three
families are employed by the Siamese in matched encounters, but only one of
these has ever attained national importance or international celebrity.
Just
how early in Siamese history the fighting fish acquired its reputation is not
known, but for several hundred years its pugnacious qualities have been
recognized and utilized in popular contests.
Up
to the year 1850 or thereabouts, the use of the fighting fish in sportive
contests in Siam was confined to fishes obtained in open waters; but, in order
to insure a regular supply of fighting and betting purposes, domestication and
cultivation were then instituted and have since been conducted on an
increasingly large scale. It may
be noted, however, that in recent years cultivation has been less important as
a factor in fighting contests and has represented a better appreciation of the
fish’s beauty of color and form.
While
many kinds of fishes exhibit a belligerent attitude both among themselves and
toward other species, it seems probable that in few other fishes is the
combative instinct so highly developed as in Betta splendens. It is certainly true that in no other
fish has the fighting ability been so much improved by cultivation.
The
fighting instinct is peculiar to the males and is so strong that a normal fish
exhibits it under every condition and at every opportunity. One might reasonably infer that the fighting instinct would develop at the approach of
maturity. As a matter of fact, the pugnacious tendency shows itself at an early
age; and in captivity fish only 2 months old and less than half – grown should
be separated to prevent continual scrapping.
Because
of their ever-present eagerness to fight, adult male fish must not only be kept
in separate aquaria but the view of rivals in nearby vessels should be cut off
by pieces of cardboard; otherwise their vitality and fighting ability will
become impaired by incessant futile effort.
The
fighting fish has responded well to efforts to produce changes to meet the
popular demand. Even in the hands of persons ignorant of the laws of heredity,
noteworthy improvements in form, size, coloration, and fighting ability have
been brought about; and there is reason to believe that still further
improvements may be made.
A
person seeing for the first time a wild fighting fish would never suspect the
wonderful possibilities in coloration that have been realized under
cultivation. The most noteworthy of the color phases that have been
established, in addition to intensified reds and blues, are lavenders, iridescent
greens, cornflower blue, blue and white and yellowish and reddish creams with
bright red fins. The latter, first produced about 1900, are known to the
Siamese as pla kat khmer (Cambodian biting fish), probably from having
originated among fanciers in French Indo-China.
Along
with the development of intensified and new colors, there has come about an
increase in the size of the vertical fins, culminating in graceful crapelike
effects, which vie with those in the veiltailed and other highly cultivated
Japanese goldfish, so that there are now fighting fish whose caudal fins are
about as long as the head and body combined.
Fishes
caught in open waters and taken indoors will, after a few days, readily respond
to an opportunity to fight. The fighting stamina of the wild fishes, however,
is not sufficiently developed for present – day requirements in Thailand, and
practically all matched combats are now between fishes that have been bred n
captivity. Wild fishes may fall to show any pugnacious spirit after a few
minutes of active attack, and for an encounter between them to last more than
15 to 20 minutes is unusual.
On the other hand, in fishes reared
under careful domestication and intelligent selections of parents, the inherent
desire and ability to fight are markedly strengthened. Well-matched fishes may continue
their attacks hour after hour without intermission, with only brief excursions
to the surface for air. There is a
partial respite from active effort while the fishes are in a sparring position,
but even then the fins are kept extended, the gill membranes remain expanded,
the body muscles are taut, and an alert attitude is constantly maintained. Some of my own fishes have remained
pugnacious after 6 hours of uninterrupted combat, but fight do not ordinarily
last more than 3 hours. From reputable Siamese informant has come the
information that fish have been known to struggle for a whole day and night.
In
Siam, as in the various countries into which the fish has been introduced, the
usual procedure in arranging a fight is to select two males of approximately
the same size and bring them together in separate jars. If they spread their
fins, show their colors, and make head-on efforts to reach each other, they are
placed together in the same vessel. An ordinary porcelain or tin washbasin
makes a good arena, but a rectangular glass receptacle, such as a battery jar,
affords a better view. The fish immediately approach each other and indulge in
a preliminary display of spread fins, expanding gill membranes, and color
waves. A common sparring position finds the fishes side by side with the heads
pointing in the same direction and with one fish slightly behind the other.
This position may be held for a period varying from a few seconds to several
minutes. Then, in quick succession, the fishes attack, their movements, being
so swift that the human eye can hardly follow the actual impact of the teeth,
and the assaults are repeated with sort intermissions, during which the same
sparring attitude is taken.
The most common points of attack are the anal, caudal, and dorsal fins. The ventral and pectoral fins may be practically untouched at the end of a protracted encounter, but may receive early attention from one or both contestants. The vertical fins, however, are always involved. The first evidence of a spirited encounter is likely to be torn or split fins. As the contest proceeds, there may be extensive loss of fin substance, and with well-matched fishes the vertical fins may utimately be reduced to mere stubs.
The
loss or extensive damage of the fins impairs the swimming, steering, and
balancing powers and hence places a fish at a disadvantage, but in evenly
matched fishes this is not likely to be a final factor in deciding the issue.
Another
point of attack is the side of the body. Single scales or clumps of scales may
be loosened or detached by a quick nipping act, but in many contests this kind
of injury may not occur. Exceptionally the gill covers may be bitten and slight
injury may be done to the gills.
An
interesting variation in fighting tactics ensues when the fishes come together
in a head-on assault and lock jaws. With their jaws firmly locked and their
bodies extended, the fishes struggle while partly or completely rotating on
their long axis. In my
observations, the locked-jaw attack was always comparatively brief and was
invariably terminated by the fishes settling to the bottom and remaining
perfectly still for, say, 10 to 20 seconds. The hold was then broken and the
fishes rapidly sought the surface for air, and then resumed their ordinary
tactics. The locked-jaw position
interferes with respiration and lasts only s long as the fishes can resist the
call of the system for extra oxygen.
During
the short interludes in fighting when the demand for oxygen forces the fishes
to go to the surface for gulps of air, attacks are always suspended. I have never known one fish to assail
another at such a time. It is
literally a breathing spell provided for in the fighting fish’s code of ethics.
Fighting
contests are decided by the general exhaustion and the failure of stamina in
the combatants rather than by a definite injury or a knock - out assault.
Sooner or later one fish shows a lack of ability or desire to continue the
fight and swims away—literally turns tail—when his rival assumes a position for
attack. The engagement is then
over, the fishes separated, the wagers, if any, are paid, and the owners put
their charges into jars and go their respective ways.
At
the end of a protracted contest both fishes may present a most unattractive
appearance because of their mutilated fins, but they seem to experience no
discomfort and, if permitted, would fight again the next day. The fins
regenerate rapidly and completely, and at the end of a few weeks may show no
signs of injury. Loss of scales
may be more serious, inducing the development of fungus.
My
experience, which extended over 12 years and covered many hundreds of
exhibitions, coincides with that of most observers in finding nothing brutal,
cruel, or repulsive in fighting-fish contests. The participants seem to get so much satisfaction from their
encounters, their physical discomfort is apparently so negligible, and their
recovery is so complete that there is little occasion to expend sympathy over them,
while their graceful movements, muscular agility, acumen, tenacity and
wonderful color displays cannot fail to arouse enthusiasm even in the most
sensitive spectators.
Wholly
erroneous impressions on this subject have been conveyed in some published articles. In an account that has often been
quoted, one of the unfortunate combatants always terminates his fighting career
and his very existence by literally bursting because of his futile efforts to
reach his adversary kept in a separate jar. Another description of the fish and their fights concludes
with a statement which, if true,
would enlist our sympathy:
“The
two [fishes] are brought together in the same bowl and they forthwith begin to
tear at each other with their mouths and sharp spines, until the one is
overpowered. The victor seldom
lives to enjoy his triumph.”
As
has been pointed out, fighting is done wholly with the teeth, and one fish is
not overpowered. I never knew the
victor, or even the vanquished, to succumb to a fight or to undergo serious
injury.
An outstanding peculiarity
of the fish is its dependence on atmospheric air. In an open water course, just as in a well-aerated aquarium,
the fish cannot obtain through its gills dissolved oxygen in amount sufficient
for its needs, and hence it has to make frequent excursions to the surface to
take in mouthfuls of air which it utilizes by its accessory respiratory
apparatus. The fish does not
loiter at the surface where, in a wild state, its is exposed to attack by birds
and other fish-eating animals. It
projects its mouth for only an instant, expelling a bubble of vitiated air and
taking in a new supply and then rapidly retreats toward the bottom.
The
air-breathing apparatus is of simpler construction than in some related
species, the “climbing perch” for example, which can and do spend considerable
time out of water. Above the gills there is in each side of the head a cavity
lined with vascular epithelium, the absorptive surface being increased by
several projecting laminae.
The
bubble-blowing habit is strongly developed in the male fish. At the time the
bubbles are made there is a viscid mucous secretion of the mouth or pharynx,
which strengthens and makes more lasting the walls of the bubbles and tends to
keep the bubbles in a compact mass.
The
purpose of the bubbles—to serve as a nest for the eggs and a hover for the
newly hatched young—is admirably achieved. As the bubbles gradually lose their stickiness and become
scattered or ruptured, one may observe the male constantly engaged in renewing
the supply.
If
one day a mature female fish is introduced into a vessel with a male fish that
has been blowing bubbles, the probability is that next morning the bubble mass
will be found to contain several hundred minute transparent eggs not easily
distinguished from bubbles without a magnifying glass.
At
egg-laying time the fishes consort near the surface, and at short intervals the
eggs are extruded in small batches. As the eggs slowly sink toward the bottom,
both the male and the female fishes go after them, gently take them in their
mouths, and returning quickly to the surface blow the eggs into the bubble
nest, repeating the performance as often as may be necessary to gather up all
the eggs. This continues of several hours until all the ripe eggs have been
voided.
The
role of the mother fish is almost entirely restricted to the production of
eggs. After the eggs are once
placed in the nest, her family duties cease, and all subsequent care of eggs
and young devolves wholly on the male.
The
fish is rather prolific. At one
spawning period from 200 to 700 eggs may be expelled, the average number for a
fully developed normal fish being 400 to 500. A month after one batch of eggs has been produced, a given
female may be ready to yield another lot, so that in the course of a year one
fish may be responsible for 2,500 to 5,000 or more eggs.
Aided
partly by capillary attraction, partly by the viscidity of the bubbles, the
eggs are held in the nest until hatching ensues. The incubation period is remarkably short, covering only 30
to 40 hours in water at 80° to 85 ° F.
Should any of the eggs drop from the nest and fall to the bottom, the
male recovers them and blows them back.
The
newly hatched fishes find shelter under the bubble nest, and remain there while
their yolk sacs are being absorbed and their fins are developing. If they stray from their proper place
before they are old enough, the male carries them back to the nest and gently
ejects them; and during the entire period of infantile helplessness the male
repeatedly takes the young in his mouth and blows them out with new bubbles,
thus insuring proper oxygenation.
Throughout
the nesting period the male fish is extremely busy and his vigilance never
relaxes. In addition to making and
maintaining the bubble nest, replacing eggs that may drop from the nest,
rounding up the straggling young, and mouthing the young at intervals, he is
constantly on the alert to protect the eggs and young from intruders that may
devour them. The chief offender is the mother fish. In a wild state, she can be forcefully driven off and kept
at a distance, but in the restricted quarters of aquarium she must be removed
as soon as egg laying is completed.
The
presence of the male seems to be essential in the development and hatching of
the eggs. If the male is removed
from the aquarium, the eggs, or most of them, will fall to hatch. Those that fall to the bottom will
suffocate; while the vitality of those that remain in the nest may be impaired
by the lack of the aeration that comes from mouthing and bubble blowing.
It
is of interest to note that the forbearance of the male from eating the eggs
and young is not due to any temporary impediment to his digestive powers, such
as a physiological closure of the esophagus. He can and does eat mosquito larvae throughout his period of
guard duty.
With
all the solicitude shown by a male for his progeny, it may be noted that he
cannot distinguish his own young from those of another parent introduced into
his aquarium. Foster offspring receive the same care as his own.
Another
aspect of the interesting behavior of Betta is shown when a male parent is
taken away from his nest and returned after a few days; he promptly devours his
young.
The
fighting fish is a confirmed carnivore. This would be indicated by its dental
equipment and short intestine even if not shown by direct observation on wild
and domesticated fish.
In
a wild state, the fish renders a useful service to mankind and to land animals
generally by its destruction of mosquito larvae. The fish inhabits the same kinds of weedy waters in which
the eggs of various mosquitoes are laid and hatched, and mosquito larvae are
the favorite, often the exclusive, food throughout the year. As the fish’s
appetite is keen, its digestion rapid, and its feeding activities more or less
continuous during daylight, the daily consumption of potential blood sucking
pests is large. Based on the
observed requirements and the actual consumption of mosquito larvae by fighting
fish in small aquaria, I would not hesitate to estimate an annual intake of
10,000 to 15,000 larvae per adult wild fish under normal conditions.
When
the young fishes first begin to feed their mouths are too small to admit
mosquito larvae, and during a period of 10 to 12 days following the absorption
of the yolk sac they subsist chiefly on minute crustaceans, which swarm in the
local waters.
The
preference is for living, moving food.
Given the choice of both active and dead larvae, the fishes may entirely
reject the latter until driven by extreme hunger. Under the stress of necessity they will take selected
nonliving food and thrive on its. A lot of fishes that I took from Bangkok to
San Francisco were, after the first few days of the voyage, fed successfully on
minute scrapings of raw fish provided by the ships’ stewards.
In
Siam, mosquito larvae are regarded as essential for the proper nourishment of
fish under domestication. For supplying the daily needs of my fighting fish in
Bangkok, two coolies spent much of their time in locating breeding places of
mosquitoes, collecting the larvae with fine-mesh nets, separating the larvae
from plant and animal debris, and feeding the clean larvae to the fish at
regular times and in quantities based on the reactions of the fish. The wrigglers,
held in a coffee cup or rice bowl, were administered with a spoon.
In the capital of Siam where there are some thousands of amateur fighting-fish fanciers and many professional breeders and dealers, there is a large and steady demand for mosquito larvae. To meet this demand, which becomes acute during the dry season, there has sprung up the strange business of breeding mosquitoes and selling their larvae to owners of fightingfish; and a number of people thus gain a livelihood.
The Thai name is pla kat (biting fish) (pp.456-
461)
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