- Territorial nature: Male B. splendens are famously aggressive toward each other and will fight, often to the death, if housed together. This is why they are typically kept in individual tanks. Females can also be territorial.
- Labyrinth organ: As a member of the gourami family, B. splendens possesses a labyrinth organ, which allows it to breathe air from the surface of the water. This adaptation enables it to survive in the low-oxygen stagnant waters of its natural habitat.
- Natural habitat: Wild B. splendens are found in the shallow, still waters of rice paddies, canals, and floodplains in countries like Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The wild forms typically have shorter fins and more muted colors than their domestic counterparts.
- Lifespan: A pet B. splendens typically lives for 3 to 5 years, though its lifespan is dependent on proper care and tank conditions.
