Why are veiltails so common?

[ral]

I was wondering why veiltials are so common as compared to other types. Since I am trying to breed betta's myself, it would seem that the cost of the parent fish is not that significant compared to the work that will have to be done afterwards to raise them.

Halfmoon breeders also sell the Delta offspring (90-95%) or the offspring when breeding Halfmoons for a lower price. So I would think there would be plenty of affordable halfmoon geno's in the market.

I got a trio of inexpensive crowntails (1 male and 2 female @ $3ea.) and plan to cull and improve this line. Male is opaque so I am hoping to get even just a few nice male opaques.

I have nothing against veiltails. I think they are nice looking betta's.

I understand why halfmoons command a higher price, since only 5-10% of any spawn will be halfmoons, but it would not seem to be harder to breed crowns and delta's than it would to breed veiltails.

 

[sylvia]

Well I think that most resposible breeders will not sell to big LFSs/LPSs which tend to be low quality places so their suppliers have no reason to spend more on crowntail or delta pairs when they don't need to compete with breeders anyway - so they just stick to their cheaper veils and continue to supply only those. An occasional, but not consistant, supply of other types being included from one-off breedings here and there by hobbyists acounts for the limmited number of non-veil bettas generaly in stock. That's my theory Anyway, I like veils too

 

[D Chia]

Veil tails are common because they are the fancy caudal form that have been around for the longest. Half moons and crown tails used to be rare but they are now more readily available.

Edit: New caudal strains (e.g. half sun, crown moon) are very rare because they have just been introduced. They are also very expensive.

 

[Sandusky]

VT's are real pretty and have, like D Chia said, been around the longest. It is the CT line that is bugging me because to me they are a bit over rated, don't get me wrong i have a GORGEOUS CT but they don't seem to draw me to them as much as a simple DT does.

 

[gale]

VT's are real pretty and have, like D Chia said, been around the longest. It is the CT line that is bugging me because to me they are a bit over rated, don't get me wrong i have a GORGEOUS CT but they don't seem to draw me to them as much as a simple DT does.

That's interesting. When I first started coming here I was convinced I wanted a crowntail because they're so neat looking. After reading posts, looking at pics, etc I now want a plakat. Even though their tails aren't so fancy they still come in really cool colors and there's just something about them.

ps don't tell my VT about this post. He thinks he is and will always be the only fish in this house.