Tail Types
Veiltail
Veiltails are the Bettas that are most commonly found in Petstores. They are characterized an elongated tail that drapes down similar to the shape of a veil. They have no more than 2 rays.
Spadetail
Spadetail
Roundtail
Male Roundtail (Image taken from Google)
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Roundtail Bettas have tails with rounded edges often in the shape of a circle. Roundtails are not often seen in Petstores are can be the result of a cross between a Veiltail and a Halfmoon/Delta/Plakat.
Female Veiltails can have the appearance of a Roundtail. |
Crowntail
Male Crowntail (Image taken from Google)
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Crowntails have a spiky rays that give the fish a raggedy appearance. The large rays are caused by a larger than average web reduction. Web refers to the tissue between each spike. The IBC (International Betta Congress) Crowntail standard calls for a 50% web reduction and even rays. A Crowntail can have single, double, or cross-rays. You can find Crowntails in most Petstores. They are priced slightly higher than Veiltails.
*This Crowntail is an example of double rays. |
Delta
Male Delta (Image taken from Google)
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Suprise surprise the tail of Delta is shaped like a Delta! Deltas cannot reach a full 180 degree spread like that of a Halfmoon. Deltas can be the outcome of a cross between a Veiltail and Halfmoon. To qualify as a Delta, a Betta must have more than a 2-ray branching.
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Super Delta
Halfmoon
Male Halfmoon (Image(s) taken from Google)
The first picture to the right (Turquoise) is one of a Rosetail. Below him is a Feathertail. The excessive branching can easily be seen. No doubt they are gorgeous, but they are considered deformities.
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Halfmoons have tails shaped like a half circle. They can reach a 180 degree spread. Halfmoons have ray branchings of 4 and up. However, too many rays can lead to deformities such as Rosetails and Feathertails, which do not meet IBC standards.
Halfmoons are sold out Petco/Petsmart. You may find Rose/Feathertails |
Plakats - Traditional and Halfmoon
Tradtional Plakat (Image(s) taken from Google)
The first picture to the right (Steel Blue Butterfly) is of a Symmetrical Plakat while the one below it is of an Asymmetrical Plakat. Not the straight edged anal fin on the 1st plakat and the slanted edge on the 2nd one.
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Plakats (pronounced Pluh-COTS) are short-finned Bettas. The IBC recognizes three types: Traditonal, Symmetrical, and Asymmetrical. The Traditional Plakat does not have a 180 degree spread while Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Plakats do. Symmetrical Plakats have an even and straight-edged anal fin while Assymetrical Plakats have a slanted one.
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Double Tail
Male Halfmoon Doubletail (Image taken from Google)
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Doubletails have tails that are split (preferably into equal lobes). They can reach a 180 spread. Doubletails have a dorsal fins with a wider base, often more than 12 rays. Because Doubletails are a deformity and are relatively new, many have deformed spines. IBC standards calls for a Doubletail with evenly split lobes and Anal and Dorsal fins of equal length.
They can be found at Petco/Petsmart |