Sara Federico - Betta Splendens and the habitat

Nombre y apellidos: Sara Federico

País: Italia

Web: https://sarafedericoillustra.carrd.co/

Redes sociales: Instagram: @_sarafederico__

Título de la obra: Betta Splendens and the habitat

Especie o elemento: Betta Splendens

Leyenda: rice paddies, swamps, and oxygen-poor stagnant waters (a.)
high chromatic variability, reflecting intraspecific biodiversity (b.).
bubble-nest construction and male parental care (c.).

Categoría: Ciencias marinas 'Luisa de la Vega'

Técnicas utilizadas: Digital

Inteligencia artificial: No.

Tamaño: 21×29,7 cm

Año de creación: 2026

Descripción:

Betta splendens is a freshwater bony fish native to Southeast Asia, occurring in the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins, where it inhabits rice paddies, swamps, and oxygen-poor stagnant waters. It exhibits marked sexual dimorphism and high chromatic variability, reflecting intraspecific biodiversity. A strongly territorial and aggressive species, particularly among males, it displays complex social behaviors related to reproduction, including bubble-nest construction and male parental care. Wild populations are increasingly threatened by agricultural pollution, habitat degradation, and invasive introductions.

This artwork was created for editorial and educational purposes, driven by my personal interest in biodiversity and the scientific communication of lesser-known freshwater species.

I first developed a detailed portrait of the fish, followed by chromatic studies in the fish of upper left. I then built the habitat as background, concluding with bubble nests to reinforce reproductive meaning and overall compositional balance.