Occur in standing waters of floodplains, canals, rice paddies (Ref. 12693) and medium to large rivers (Ref. 12975). Feeds on zooplankton, mosquito and other insect larvae (Ref. 12693). Air breather and bubble nest builder. Used in behavioral studies (Ref. 4537). Males will fight each other. The many colorful varieties are popular aquarium fish, however, the holding of the males in very small containers should be discouraged (Ref. 1672). Aquarium keeping: several females for one male; minimum aquarium size 60 cm (Ref. 51539).