Betta
Betta fish are best known for being small, colorful pets with big personalities. Male bettas in particular have an amazing variety of tail shapes, ranging from half-moon to spikey and crown-like. Since bettas require minimal maintenance, they’re a great species for beginners. Just be careful not to unleash two males in the same aquarium these fish can get downright feisty.
Breeds
Crowntail
Its spiky tail and fins give the crowntail Betta its royal look. The tail has a teardrop shape with webbing between the rays that’s unmistakable to this breed.
Delta/Super Delta
Delta and super delta bettas have tails with straight caudal edges—only theirs don’t reach 180 degrees like halfmoon bettas.
Doubletail
As its name suggests, doubletail bettas have two distinct tails, each shaped like a half moon. This sets them apart from similar-looking bettas, which have only single, split tails.
Half Sun/Combtail
Usually bred by crossing a veiltail with a crowntail, the half sun (or combtail Betta) boasts a slightly less spiky tail than the crowntail.
Halfmoon
One of the prettiest betta breeds, the halfmoon Betta has a 180-degree, fan-like tail that resembles a “D” when fully flared. This long-finned Betta also has unusual coloring.
Plakat
The ancestors of all betta fish, plakat bettas have shorter tails with round or spade shapes. These strong, aggressive betta fish are less prone to injury and disease.
Rosetail/Feathertail
A kind of halfmoon Betta, the rosetail (or feathertail Betta) also sports a fan-like tail, but has excessive branching and overlapping in its fin rays that resembles the ruffled appearance of a rose.
Round Tail/Fan Tail
Sometimes mistaken for other bettas, the round tail (or fan tail Betta) has a single tail that’s round and full.
Veiltail
One of the most popular betta fish breeds, veiltail bettas are known for their long, spectacular fins and bright colors. New hobbyists usually start with veiltails due to their easygoing nature.
FUN FACTS
Male betta fish look extremely different than females.
Male betta fish make bubble nests when they’re happy.
Betta fish have labyrinth organs that allow them to breathe air because their gills can’t always take in enough oxygen from the water.
Betta fish can grow to recognize their owners.
ENVIRONMENTS
We recommend our 20-gallon aquarium or larger, because larger tanks are easier to care for than smaller ones. The environment is up to you — funky fun décor with artificial plants or live plants with wood or stone to recreate an environment found in nature. The options are endless.
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