Bettas4all Standard: Chapter 3H - Doubletail

[Roberto Silverii]

Chapter 3H: Finnage Characteristics - Doubletail


By Joep van Esch
www.bettas4all.nl - The International Betta Forum



Figure 3H.1   2D representation of the 3D model of the ideal doubletail (created by Stefan George Psarakos).


1. General appearance


1.1 Condition
As in all other show betta (see Chapter 3).


1.2 Deportment
As in all other show betta (see Chapter 3).

1.3 Overall balance
The ideal doubletail has a symmetrical appearance which can be demonstrated by an imaginary horizontal midline which shows that the upper and lower part of the fish nearly form a mirror-image (see Figure 3H.2). The contour of the ideal doubletail fits an oval of which the width is approximately 1.2-times the height. The outer rim of the unpaired fins follows the contours of the oval in a smooth way without any irregularities. Ideally the anal fin and dorsal fin should not extend beyond the bottom edge and upper edge of the caudal fin, respectively.



Figure 3H.2    The contour of the ideal doubletail fits an oval. The horizontal (X) and vertical (Y) midlines as well as vertical lines A-E are used to describe the proportions of the ideal doubletail.
   
The vertical line which runs through the point on the body where the outer rays of the caudal fin are attached (C), divides the total length of the doubletail (A-E) into two parts, A-C and C-E, with a ~60/40 distribution respectively (see Figure 3H.2). An important point with respect to overall balance is the fact that the finnage has to be in proportion with the body. The width of the anal fin (B-C) is used as an important marker to indicate the desired proportions (see Figure 3H.3). In the ideal situation the length of the rays of the caudal fin, which extend from the peduncle (D) to the outer rim (E), are equal to the width of the anal fin (B-C). When an imaginary vertical midline would be drawn, the vertical length of the dorsal and anal fin from the body to the outer rim is again equal to the width of the anal fin. The length of the ventral fins from the point where they are attached to the body to the tip is equal to 5/6 of the width of the anal fin (B-C).



Figure 3H.3    The width of the anal fin (B-C) is an important marker to demonstrate proportion.


2. Body


2.1 Form & dimension
As in all other show betta (see Chapter 3 and Figure 3H.4).



Figure 3H.4    Ideal body shape form & dimension of the doubletail.


2.2. Scalation
As in all other show betta (see Chapter 3).


3. Finnage


3.1 Caudal fin
The caudal fin of the doubletail is characterized by two caudal lobes. The two caudal lobes are allowed to overlap but should be separated by means of a split which runs up to the base of the peduncle. The form of the two caudal lobes of the doubletail together can be compared with a the shape of a capital letter "D" (see Figure 3H.5, left). The caudal fin has a symmetrical appearance which means that if an imaginary horizontal midline (X) would be drawn this line ideally should overlap the split which divides the caudal in two equally sized lobes. The ideal caudal fin has a 180-degree spread (both caudal lobes together), straight rays and sharp corners. A spread of more than 180-degrees is not  preferred over a 180-degree spread. Each caudal lobe should possess 12-13 primary rays which extend from the peduncle and ideally the branching of the rays can range from secondary (4-ray) to quaternary (16-ray) branching. The branching of the rays should be evenly distributed throughout the caudal fin. The webbing of the caudal fin has a smooth appearance without any overlapping/folding parts due to excessive branching and/or webbing.



Figure 3H.5   Ideal form of the caudal fin (left) and dorsal fin (right) of the doubletail.


3.2 Dorsal fin
At first sight, the dorsal fin of the doubletail approximately resembles the shape of the anal fin. The dorsal fin of the doubletail snaps open like a fan and has the shape of a modified scalene trapezoid (see Figure 3H.5, right). The volume and the capacity of the dorsal fin to open up like a fan is achieved by an increase in branching of the rays (mostly secondary or tertiary branching) and an increase of rays (ranging from 18-21 rays). Ideally the base of the dorsal fin should be equal to 7/8 of the width of the anal fin (B-C). Please note that the point where the rays of the back of the dorsal are attached to the body, is located closer to the caudal peduncle (C) than seen in singletail bettas.  The rays in the back of the dorsal fin match those of the caudal fin but the length of the rays slightly declines towards the front. The rays in the front of the dorsal must be slighlty directed forward, and the back of the dorsal fin overlaps the upper part of the caudal. Overlap of the back of the dorsal fin with the body is not desirable. The webbing of the dorsal fin has a smooth appearance without any overlapping/folding parts due to excessive branching and/or webbing.


3.3 Anal fin
The anal fin of the doubletail starts at the thickest point of the body (B) and has the shape of a modified scalene trapezium (see Figure 3H.6, right). The anal fin runs approximately parallel to the body. The length of the rays in the back of the anal fin match those of the caudal fin but the length of the rays slightly declines towards the front. During flaring the front of the anal is directed forward and the back overlaps the lower part of the caudal.  The volume and the capacity of the anal fin to open up during flaring is achieved by a moderate branching of the fin-rays (mainly primary raysplitting although secondary raysplitting sometimes also can be observed). The webbing of the anal fin has a smooth appearance without any overlapping/folding parts due to excessive branching and/or webbing.


3.4 Ventral fins
The form of the ventrals fins of a doubletail is as in all other show betta (see Chapter 3). Additionally, the ventrals of the doubletail should have a full volume (see Figure 3H.6, left).


3.5 Pectoral fins
As in all other show betta (see Chapter 3 and Figure 3H.6, right).



Figure 3H.6   Ideal form of the ventral & pectoral fins (left) and anal fin (right) of the doubletail.



Figure 3H.7   Examples of Doubletail males
(A) Breeder unknown, (B) was bred by Patsayawan (Thailand) and (C) was bred by Pornpat Sangmanee (Black_knight; Thailand)
Please note that these fish are examples and still exhibit points requiring improvement.


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