Aripioare stralucitoare, operculi infoiati si cozile incordate pornind o furtuna intr-o sticla cu apa. Toate astea apartin reprezentantilor a celei mai puternice specii de pesti mici din lume. Pestele Luptator din Siam.

Scena acestei dezlantuiri este unul dintre putinele locuri unde luptele de pesti au loc regulat, in suburbiile Bangkok-ului(in interiorul orasului este interzis). 

Arena propriu-zisa este un sopron intr-o curte, al carui proprietar este autorizat sa organizeze concursurile. In aceeasi curte au loc si lupte de cocosi.

Proprietarul curtii (si autorizatiei) sta intr-o ghereta de lemn la intrare de unde vinde orez si diverse sortimente culinare participantilor si spectatorilor.

In fiecare duminica, de la 7 a.m. pina la 6 p.m. o multime de oameni forfoteste prin aceasta curte, intrarea facandu-se in schimbul a 2 baht(~6 cents). Proprietarul curtii primeste si 10% din pariurile puse.

Crescatorii pestilor-luptatori isi aduc favoritii si campionii in sticle cu apa, fiecare peste in sticla lui. Inainte de competitie sticlele cu pesti sunt puse una langa alta, astfel incat posibilii adversari sa se poata vedea intre ei. Reactiile lor sunt observate cu interes de catre proprietari si suporteri iar aceste reactii stau la baza deciziilor lor ulterioare.

  Flashing fins, gorgeous gills and thorny tails stirring up a tempest in a bottle of water. They belong to two of the toughest, littlest species of fish in the world. Siamese fighting fish.

The scene is at one of the few remaining spots where fish-fighting takes place regularly, in the outskirts of Bangkok. No fish-fighting is permitted within the city limits.

The arena is a shed with open sides inside the compound of the proprietor who is giving a license to operate it. There is also a fighting–cock pit in the same compound.

The owner lives in the wooden house in front of the fighting-fish arena and the pit. He also sells rice and other cooked food and refreshments to the enthusiasts of both sports.

Every Sunday, from 7 a.m. till 6 p.m., a large orderly crowd gathers in the compound, paying a gate admission of two baht each. The owner gets ten percent of stakes.

Fighting-fish breeders bring their champions and favorites in little bottles of water, each in one bottle. Before a contest, bottles of fish are placed alongside one another so that two possible adversaries may watch one another. Their reactions will be noted with particular interest by their owners and by the enthusiasts who will base their bets on impressions at these encounters with the glass of two bottles coming between the potential opponents.

This article is from the “Thai Fisheries Gazette” (Thai language issued January 25, 1967)