Bettas4all Standard: Chapter 3F - Veiltail

[Roberto Silverii]

Chapter 3F: Finnage Characteristics - Veiltail


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



Figure 3F.1    2D representation of the 3D model of the ideal veiltail (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 veiltail has an asymmetrical appearance which is mostly caused by the length and shape of the anal and caudal fin and is contributed to by the breadth, length and shape of the ventral fins and dorsal fin also the breadth, length and shape of the ventral fins and dorsal fin play an important role (see Figure 3F.2).
The contour of the ideal symmetrical longfinned betta can be captured by an oval of which the width is approximately 1.2-times the height (see Chapter 3G and Chapter 3H). In contrast to the symmetrical longfinned betta, the asymmetrical contour of the ideal veiltail can not be captured by an oval shape as the dorsal, caudal, anal and ventral fins clearly extend beyond this ideal oval shape.



Figure 3F.2     Whereas the upper part of the ideal veiltail fits the ideal symmetrical oval, the lower part does not follow these contours. The horizontal (X) and vertical (Y) midlines as well as vertical lines A-E are used to describe the proportions of the ideal veiltail.
   
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 veiltail (A-E) into two parts, A-C and C-E, with a ~50/50 distribution respectively (see Figure 3F.2).


An important point with respect to overall balance is that the finnage must 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 3F.3). In the ideal situation the length of the rays in the middle of the caudal fin, which extend from the peduncle (D) to the outer rim (E), are equal to ~2-times the width of the anal fin (B-C). The length longest ray in the middle of the dorsal fin should be equal to ~1.5-times the width of the anal fin (B-C). The length of the longest ray in the posterior part of the anal fin is equal to ~1.5-times 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 ~1.25-times the width of the anal fin (B-C).



Figure 3F.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 3F.4).



Figure 3F.4     Ideal body shape form & dimension of the veiltail.


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


3. Finnage


3.1 Caudal fin
The caudal starts with a broad base at the peduncle. The upper rays which leave the peduncle initially run up, and reach the highest point at 20% of the total caudal length, before they gradually drop down to below the horizontal midline (X). From here the rays either run parallel to each other resulting in a flag-shaped caudal (see Figure 3F.5, left) or gradually slope towards each other into a blunt point (see Figure 3F.5, right). The caudal fin has an asymmetrical appearance which means that if an imaginary horizontal midline (X) would be drawn it would be divided in two unequal parts. The base of the caudal ideally has a 180-degree spread. The caudal fin has 12-13 primary rays which extend from the peduncle with a primary (2-ray) branching. The branching of the rays should be evenly distributed throughout the caudal fin. The webbing of the caudal fin has a smooth overall appearance without any overlapping/folding parts due to excessive branching and/or webbing.



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


3.2 Dorsal fin
The dorsal fin of veiltail has the appearance of a modified droplet (see Figure 3F.5, right). Ideally the base of the dorsal fin should be equal to 1/3 of the width of the anal fin (B-C) with 8 to 10 rays which do not show any branching. The length of the rays in the back and front of the dorsal slightly declines. The lower part of 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 overall appearance without any overlapping/folding parts due to excessive branching and/or webbing.


3.3 Anal fin
The anal fin of the veiltail is trapezoid shaped and starts at the thickest point of the body (B) (see Figure 3F.6, right). The longest ray of the anal fin is located in the back of the anal, the length of the rays gradually declines towards the front. During flaring the front of the anal is slighly directed forward. Overlap of the upper part of the back of the anal with the upper part of the lower half of the caudal is allowed. The rays in the anal fin do not show any branching. The webbing of the anal fin has a smooth overall 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 veiltail is as in all other show betta (see Chapter 3). Additionally, the ventrals of the veiltail should be long and slender and not be too voluminous (see Figure 3F.6, left).


3.5 Pectoral fins
As in all other show betta (see Chapter 3 and Figure 3F.6, right). The pectoral fins of the veiltail are delta-shaped with primary (2-ray) branching.



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



Figure 3F.7    Example of veiltail males.
(A) Pisces_eleven (Thailand) and (B) was bred by Tomas Chuda (Czech Republic)
Please note that this fish is an example and still exhibits points requiring improvement.


It is not allowed to copy, translate or use the content of this standard without permission of the author.