betta types

[Briarmoor]

Okay, so who knew there were so many different kinds of bettas! I went to some of the links some nice folks sent and was amazed.

I think my favorite so far is the half moon. Not sure about the double tail, single tail and all that. I haven't read the entire genetics topic on one of the sites, but are these essentially the same fish now with different fin types or have they evolved so much as to be almost a different variety?

In dogs, especially where there are "show" and "working" lines, the breeds don't even look a like anymore. For instance, a "field bred" setter doesn't look much at all like a "show line" setter. Same in labradors, etc. I wondered if in fish that breeding for specific traits such as color and finnage resulted also in different temperaments?

Can anyone shed some light on this? I want to get a healthy, friendly, less aggressive betta if possible. Although I realize it may not be the easiest search or even realistic. Temperament in dogs is very genetic, but I don't know if people breed for it in fish.

P.

 

[Synirr]

In my experience the different types aren't different enough in temperament for it to really be a consideration. The exception would be that plakats seem to be feistier than others, but it may just seem that way because they're better able to move around since they aren't dragging all that heavy finnage. I believe the only bettas that were truly bred for temperament are the plakat fighters

 

[Briarmoor]

Nice to hear the temperaments are similar. I think if and when I get one I'll look at something like the half moon. I don't care whether everything is perfect for "show" just love the oodles of finnage.

I didn't see multi-colored (if that is the right word) bettas in my searches but see that you have pics of them in you signature. Beautiful!

P.

 

[Synirr]

Try checking out Aquabid if you haven't already... I'm sure there are some multi-coloured bettas there

 

[Kiarra]

Crowntails have a reputation for being more aggressive than other types. But I haven't noticed it as a hard and consistent rule...some are aggressive, some aren't. And, as mentioned, the Plakats bred for fighting are actually rather aggressive, but most Plakats (the more colorful ones, especially) are really very mild...for a Betta.

Just go with what you like.

 

[Briarmoor]

Looking at your pics, what variety/fin type and color is Mr. Shaddrai? Hope I spelled that right because your sig is not in front of me. Lovely!

I did look on Aquabid or whatever that site was, maybe I didn't look enough. Not ready to buy yet, but doing my homework.

P.

 

[boxman]

I would imagine all bettas would defend their territory, that's not aggression, that's a natural thing.

My Crowntail chases off the balloon mollies when they get close to his bubblenest (when he's not looking the mollies try to eat the bubbles!!!!) but he never actually goes for them!

It's such ashame you can't put several males in the same tank as it would look stunning!!!!!!

 

[Synirr]

El Shaddai is mostly copper (so is Ipos), but he also has a red butterfly pattern underneath