Ichthyologists (people who study fish) classify fish based on body form and structure. They group species in a hierarchy of ever more inclusive categories, from individual species such as Betta splendens to families (such as anabantids, which are fish with a labyrinth organ), to a large class, Pisces, that includes all fish. Fish represent but one class of vertebrates (animals with backbones, including humans). Other vertebrate traits include a brain case (skull) and a skeleton that protects the internal organs and supports the body weight.
Like all fish, the Betta breathes through external gills. Like other anabantids, it also has the labyrinth organ that enables it to use atmospheric air.
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