The betta fish is a tropical freshwater fish, also called the Siamese fighting fish or labyrinth fish. They are known for their aggressive behavior and beauty.
They are captivating aquarium pets because of their flashy color, iridescent scales, and long, graceful fins. The wide variety of colors and fins of betta fish is due to selective breeding of the fishes in captivity.
Betta fish are solitary fish that are happy to have a tank to themselves. All they need is enrichment to their surroundings with conditions similar to their natural environment.
And, besides, with these lovely fishes in your aquarium, they are enough to brighten up the tank.
Bettas have a wide variation of colorful patterns, but their most striking features are their tails. Bettas have different coloring and patterns, making each unique. Males are more aesthetically pleasing, while females have shorter fins and lighter colors than males.
Here is a list of the most beautiful bettas:
Veil tail
These fish varieties have long tails that droop and appear like a flowing veil. Veil tails are among the most common betas. Yet, they are not only irresistibly beautiful, but they also tend to be difficult than other varieties.
These betta varieties are dominant and are not as heavily inbred as some varieties; hence, they are healthier with lesser deformities.
Plakat
Plakat, meaning ‘fighter,’ are short-finned and are closest to the wild bettas. They were bred mostly for fighting and are usually more aggressive and are faster than the other long-tailed varieties. Starters favor them as they are considerably more disease resistant
Rose tail
These are variations of the half-moon. Rose tails have branched fin rays. The branching results in the overlapping of the fins like the rose flower.
Comb tail
These are similar to crown tails. The difference is that the tail rays are longer than its webbing, which gives the fin edges a softer look than the spikey crown tail.
Spade tail
The name comes from its caudal tails, which are shaped like a spade. The base of the tail starts wide and then narrows down smoothly to a point.
Round tail
They have rounded fins, unlike the sharper edges of a delta. Round tails also have longer fins than the short-finned plakats.
Delta tail
The tail near the body is narrow and wider at the edges, giving it a triangular shape like the Greek letter ∆. The tail edges are regular with no crowning or combing.
Super delta tail
A variation of the delta, it has a wider flare that spreads up to 120°-160°.
Feather tail
Their tails are similar to the rose tail. The difference is that the fins are more branched, giving it a flounced appearance.
Dumbo ear tail
The most remarkable characteristic of this fish is its pair of extra-large pectoral fins. These fins are similar to an elephant’s ears, hence, its name. They are one of the most ornate betta varieties.
Half-moon tail
A flared tail of this variety gives a half moon-like appearance. A fully flamed tail extends up to 180°.
Over-half moon tail
These betta varieties have a large tail that can fan more than 180°, wider than a half-circle.
Crown tail
The crown tail has spiked fins like a crown. You can recognize them by their webbing that is longer than the tail rays. The tail rays come up to 2/3 of the fin webs.
Half sun tail
These varieties have combined features of the half-moon and a crown tail. The flared tail spreads to more than 180°.
Double tail
The most noticeable feature of this variety is the separation of the fin at the tail base. The caudal fin is split all the way to the base. This gives the fish a two-tailed appearance.
Bettas are beautiful fishes that can brighten up your aquarium. Though you may know them as aggressive, they recognize their owners and will acknowledge their presence.
These fishes are popular and lovable, but it can be misleading to assume they are suitable for beginners, especially if it is your first time maintaining an aquarium.
The strikingly beautiful bettas and any other aquarium pets deserve responsible owners.
