In this quick tutorial you'll learn how to draw a Siamese Fighting Fish in 11 easy steps - great for kids and novice artists.
The images above represent how your finished drawing is going to look and the steps involved.
Below are the individual steps - you can click on each one for a High Resolution printable PDF version.
At the bottom you can read some interesting facts about the Siamese Fighting Fish.
Make sure you also check out any of the hundreds of drawing tutorials grouped by category.
How to Draw a Siamese Fighting Fish - Step-by-Step Tutorial
Step 1: To draw the head, draw a round cone shape.
Step 2: Next add the eye by drawing two circles, one inside the other. Color the inner circle black. Add a curvy line for the gills.
Step 3: For the body, draw two long curved lines and connect them at the end. Make the lines closer together towards the end of the body, like in the picture.
Step 4: Draw s small middle fin just behind the gill by making a few sharp points.
Step 5: Next, add the lower fins by drawing two lines going down with another squiggly line along the bottom for detail.
Step 6: To draw the tail, make two lined going outward, and then connect the with a lot of lines going back and forth, as shown.
Step 7: Add the upper fin by drawing a long curved line above the back with a few points.
Step 8: Draw some lines inside the tail fin to make the stripes.
Step 9: To draw the patterns on the lower fin, draw several lines running through the fin.
Step 10: Now add more lines in the top and middle fin for the patterns.
Step 11: Finally add a lot of curly shapes in the body to draw the scales. Use your imagination to color the Siamese Fighting Fish, they come in all colors and patterns!
Interesting Facts about Siamese Fighting Fish
Like the name says Siamese Fighting Fish come from Siam (now called Thailand.) They are a brightly colored river fish in Southeast Asia that is a food source for much bigger fish. They are now seen in Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia in rice paddy fields and canals. Siamese Fight Fish are meat eaters they like to eat small animals like shrimp and insects. They are a freshwater fish that only gets to about 2-3 inches long. Their tails are fan like, but what makes the Siamese Fighting Fish such a common pet is its beautiful colors. In the pet industry world, they have been breed to be a rainbow of color, from dark blues, reds, black, orange, white, green, and even turquoise. However in nature the fish aren’t so flashy. They are naturally found in dull colors like green, gray, or brown. Although the fish have become common household pets, it is dangerous to put two male Siamese Fighting Fish in a tank together. Nature takes its course and they will kill each other. These fish are known for their aggressive nature, which is why their native name pla-kad means “biting fish.”
Did you know?
- More commonly known as Bettas in the pet industry. It is shortening of their scientific name “Betta Splendens.”
- Siamese Fighting Fish prefer really warm water. The water should be 75-86 degrees Fahrenheit to suit them.
- Natural fins are short, but pet breeders have managed to create species with long flowing fins. There are many names for the various tail shapes including: veil tails, double tails, crown tails, half-moons, and even rose tails.
- Siamese Fighting Fish need to able to get air from the top of a tank. If they don’t (even in high oxygen-full water) they will drown.
- When Siamese Fighting Fish are ready to mate, the male will make a bubble nest for the female to lay her eggs. After she has done that the male will chase her off so she doesn’t eat them. He then protects the eggs from other fish and predators.
Activity: The best way to learn about Siamese Fighting Fish is to see them. Plan a class trip to a local pet store or aquarium. After the trip give the children drawings of the Siamese Fighting Fish and tell them to show which color they liked best.
How to Draw a Siamese Fighting Fish – Step-By-Step Tutorial