Tail-Shapes and Color-Variations

Today, let’s take a look at tail-shapes and color patterns of Bettas. Bettas come in a variety of different shapes and vibrant colors; this is due to the process of selective breeding. Selective breeding is the process of choosing a male and female for their specific traits, which would be passed on to the fishes’ spawn (also known as fry). I will be showing photos of only male Bettas so you can properly see the tail-shapes at their full potential.

Tail-Shapes

(My Betta Boy, Ares.)

Veil Tail: The Veil-tail Betta, is possibly one of the most commonly found Bettas in pet stores/aquarium shops. The Betta’s caudal (tail) fin arches and slopes downward creating an appearance much like the shape of a wedding-veil (hence the name).

(This is Poseidon, a Betta I rescued from Meijer; he had internal parasites, which I was able to successfully cure. Sadly, he passed away last September, at the age of 6, due to old age.)

Crown Tail: The crown-tail Betta is also very commonly found in pet stores/aquarium shops. Crown-tail Bettas have particularly delicate fins, which become brittle if water parameters are not cared for correctly.

(Photo provided by: fighterfishlebanon.e-monsite.com)

Half-Moon: The half-moon Betta is, yet again, also a very popular form that you may see in pet stores/aquarium shops. When this Betta flares, their tail appears to be in the shape of half a moon. Betta tail names are sometimes self-explanatory.

(Photo provided by: betta-forum.net)

Rose-Tail: The Rose-Tail Betta is an accidental discovery, due to the breeding of half-moon Bettas. Over-lapping of the rays in the caudal (tail) fin, cause these Bettas to have a rose-like appearance in their fins. These Bettas are also commonly referred to as Feather-Tailed Bettas.

(Photo provided by: petadvice.com)

            Spade Tail: The spade-tail Betta has a wide caudal (tail) fin base which narrows into a sophisticated point; resembling a spade. These Bettas are not seen very often anymore; however, it is possible to purchase them from an online vender.

(Photo provided by: bettafish.com)

            Double Tail: The double-tailed Betta does not actually have two tails. This is a mutation which causes the Betta’s rays to be doubled in number, and collected into two separate bunches. This is what causes the tail to appear to be split in half. Double-tailed Bettas commonly have swim-bladder issues due to the stunting of the length of their bodies.

(Photo provided by: amberbettas.webs.com)

            Plakat Betta: The Plakat Bettas have short finnage, stronger jaws, sharper teeth, and their scales are also harder which help them fend off disease. Sadly, these Bettas are also a favorite among fighting enthusiasts due to their tough scales and strength (Please note that it is illegal to fight Bettas, as it is considered animal cruelty). These Bettas are allowed to move more quickly due to not being bogged down by the excessive weight of their long-finned relatives. These Bettas may also be referred to as Dragon-Scale Bettas and are commonly found in pet stores such as Petsmart.

            There are many varieties of tail-shapes in Bettas today, and more are constantly being discovered. These (above) are just the ones I have run into through my experience and time with Bettas.

 

Color-Variations

Now let’s move on to color-variations. Wild bettas do not actually possess the colorful variations you see in domesticated bettas; Wild bettas actually have short fins and very little color (mostly brown). Some wild Bettas, however, are exceptions to this rule.

(Photo provided by:  natureye.com)

This is a Betta Macrostoma, one of many variations of wild Bettas. This Betta is very colorful for being a wild Betta, yet still possesses the short finnage found in wild Bettas.

There are six major color variations found in domesticated Bettas. However, more color variations are being discovered; just like tail-shapes.

            Solid-colored: Solid-colored Bettas have one color which covers the entire body. Sometimes, these Bettas will have imperfections, which breeders are working to eliminate. These could range from small specks of other colors or colored faces. (Tullock) (To me, it really doesn’t matter; I think they are beautiful all the same. Autolycus has a black face, and I think it is adorable!)

(My Betta, Phoebe is a perfect example of a bi-colored Betta. Her fins are dark pink while her body is light pink)

            Bi-colored: Bi-colored Bettas have a body that is one solid color. The fins are a lighter or a darker version of the body color. (Tullock)

(Photo provided by: bettas-jimsonnier.com)

            Cambodian-colored: Cambodian-colored Bettas have a body of one color and fins of another. This can also apply to bettas that have a colored body and transparent fins. (Tullock)

(Photo provided by: animal-world.com)

            Butterfly-colored: Butterfly-colored Bettas have a body of one color, which blends into the fins near the torso area. Then, the outer edges of the fins possess a different color. (Tullock)

(Photo provided by: bettascapes.com)

            Cambodian-butterfly-colored: The Cambodian-butterfly Betta is a cross between Cambodian and butterfly color variations (as the name suggests). The body is one color, while the fins consist of two different colors. (Tullock)

(Photo provided by: flickr.com)

            Marble-colored: The marbled Betta is quite unique. The body and fin tips are the same color; however, the inner portion of the fins is a completely different color. (Tullock) Sometimes, marbled Bettas can have splotches of one color on their bodies and fins and the rest of them are a different color. Marbled bettas also change their appearance with age. You could have a solid blue betta and within a couple months he will be blue and white!

 

*I hope you all enjoyed today’s post and learned something new and exciting about Bettas!*

 

Sources which I will be using are from personal experience, and three of my favorite books dedicated to this topic:

 

Alderton, David. Bettas and Gouramis. Irvine: BowTie Press, 2004.

Robert J. Goldstein, Ph.D. The Betta Handbook. Hauppauge: Barron's, 2004.

Tullock, John H. Your Happy Healthy Pet Betta. Hoboken: Wiley Publishing Inc., 2006.