FishProfiles.com Message Forums

You will want to look for the following traits in quality bettas.

If you want a half moon: Look at the caudual (tail) fin. You will want to see that it makes a complete semi-circle. If it is close, but not quite there, it is still a desireable fish called a super delta. If it is a little less then that it is called a delta.

If you want a double tail: You will want to look at both tails of course. Also look at the dorsal fin. It should be very elongated. That is a genetic trait that tells you that the 2 tails aren't a result of an injury.

If you want a crowntail: You will want to look at the tail very closely to be sure that it is not shredded as opposed to natural. Also If you look at the tail and see that it seems to branch off in groups (i.e. groups of 2 spikes or 3 or 4,etc.) The more branches in a group, The more desireable it is.

If you want a plakat: You will want to see that the fins are short, and be sure that it is not a female betta. This can be seen by looking at the underside of the fish, or watching the aggression to other fish.

If you want a cambodian: Cambodian simply means that the colors start very light and get darker from the body to the tips of the fins.

If you are looking at a female: Look at the caudual fin. The more branches that it has (ex. 4,5,6,7,8) the more desireable it is.

Geno means that the auctual fish doesn't meet the qualifications for the specific trait, but it does carry the gene. I.e. the parents/grandparents did meet the qualifications for that classification.

Also a solid color in the fish is usually very desireable. White and black are quite rare to be found and thus are expensive.

That is my way to determine the quality of a betta. Feel free to add in your own input.

Edit: I would like to note that none of this except the part about coloration applies to the average(veiltail) betta.

[span class="edited"][Edited by Robofish 2004-07-11 17:16][/span]

Just thought I'd make a comment... for plakats, you mention ways to determine if the fish is actually a female... some females can be as aggressive as males, so this isn't a surefire way to differentiate. I've personally never had an aggressive female, but I know some people on this board who have had females maul and/or kill other females.

The oviposter isn't always easy to see on every female betta, so again, this is something to look for, but don't base your decision on this. *shrugs* This is especially true in light bodied fish... even when my betta girls are ready to breed, it's hard to tell on the lighter girls.

And finally, a question: two of my girls have light pink bodies with dark pink fins... does that mean I can classify them as cambodian? Never did know exactly what that meant. I'm smarter than I was ten minutes ago!

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

Kitten, that's why I gave two possible ways to determine the sex of the fish. And with those females, a pic would help me classify them for you. Does it start an almost whitish pink and gradgually get darker to the tips (almost red)?

Nope, just light body, dark fins. Here's Thalia, one of my girls. She has a "mask" of darker pink on her face, but other than that, she and Erato are identical. This isn't the best picture, but here's what they look like:
http://100megsfree4.com/ccatclaws/thalia.jpg

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

I would classify those as cambodian.

Ooo... they have a special type now... they special. Now the other girls are going to be jealous. Thanks for that ID.

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

I would also say they are cambodians

They are gorgeous!! I love cambodians

Stella

[span class="edited"][Edited by Stella 2004-07-11 16:47][/span]

stella u have a nice looking female in your avatar.

maybe if we get enough input, this could become an article...

bump

Thanks Robofish!! I got her from a local breeder in January - I'm currently trying to find her a boyfriend

Stella

after I spawn my new trio of bettas, I might sell u some delta tails for cheap...

How old is your female stella?

She should be about 9 months old - She was about 3 months when I got her (I think )

Stella

Great thread! I have been fooled by an aggressive male double tail turning out to be female. I don't feel so bad though cause she also fooled the lfs as they had moved her from a tank of girls to her own tank. She was also very small as was supposed to be a pair for a another double tail female :%). It wasn't for a couple of days until she was moved near another male during cleaning that she showed an egg spot. oh well she wont be going in the girls tank. She is called Sheman!

very appropriate name...