The rays are quite prominent, with webs that extend at least two-thirds of the way between each ray. What sets this type of betta apart are the webbing and rays that extend through the tail fin itself. You usually see a full, glorious tail in a typical round shape. Combtail) Combtail dragon variationĬombtail bettas don’t have an unusual shape or size to their tails. Tail types are classified based on shape and size, and the name usually provides a clue. Wild bettas might have short tails, but selective breeding has created a variety of dramatic options. That flowing tail is one of the most distinguishing characteristics of bettas. (Or all three – just to keep things interesting) Of course, you’ve seen myriad colors in the pet store, and maybe you noticed subtle differences here and there.īut did you realize each difference represented a specific type? Believe it or not, there are over SEVENTY types of bettas in the world!Įach species is classified based on their: If you’re new to the world of bettas, you may only consider that single species. In Thailand, they’re called Plakat, or “biting fish.” Types of Bettas They’re native to the tropical waters of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. Instead, they have dull, grey-green scales and much shorter fins. Wild bettas lack the iconic dramatic fins. Aquarists combined hybrids with the original wild-type to create the fish you find today.įew resemble the actual stock you find in ditches, slow-moving streams, or shallow pools. Different colors, patterns, and tails came into favor.
(Bettas were initially named “bet-tah” after the Asian Bettah warrior tribe) Their name quickly ended up corrupted to “Beta” – as in the second letter of the Greek alphabet. The Modern Betta Feathertail betta variationīettas migrated to the U.S. The name means “ Beautiful warrior” – a name that suits these gorgeous freshwater fish much better. Seeing the stunning drama of the fish, he renamed them Betta splendens. (No one claimed doctors were brilliant)ĭr. It turned out there was already a fish by that name, though.
Cantor studied the fish, mistakenly classifying them as Macropodus pugnax. People placed bets on the bravery of one fish or another, not the fish that was likely to survive.Īdvancing to 1840, the King presented a specimen to Danish doctor Theodore Cantor. Bettas are intelligent, and they only engaged in spars until one male is tired or elected to retreat. Mythology led people to believe that bettas fought to the death. Recognizing a chance for profit, he set out to regulate the matches and placed a tax on betting. (Hence the origin of the name “Siamese Fighting Fish)īetting on the duels sprang up, catching the attention of the King. When placed together, these fish would spar. Children noticed a particular fish in the rice paddies setting up individual territories. Bettas entered the domestic scene approximately 150 years ago.īefore becoming Thailand, the country was called Siam.
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