Bettas4all Standard: Chapter 3K - Females

[Roberto Silverii]

Chapter 3K: Finnage Characteristics - Females


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


The Bettas4all Standard recognizes nine different female show classes: traditional plakat, halfmoon plakat, doubletail plakat, crowntail plakat, veiltail, halfmoon, doubletail, crowntail and form & variation (see Chapter 2). The condition, deportment and body shape of female show bettas are as described in the general standard (see Chapter 3).


1. Traditional plakat females
Although traditional plakat females have a shorter finnage, the overall form of the caudal, dorsal, anal, ventral and pectoral fins is similar to that of their male counterparts (see Chapter 3A). The ideal traditional plakat female has an asymmetrical appearance which is caused by the length and shape of the anal fin and the breadth, length and shape of the ventral fins and dorsal fin which can be demonstrated by an imaginary horizontal midline. In contrast to halfmoon plakat females, the upper part of the ideal traditional plakat approximately fits this oval but the asymmetrical lower part does not follow these contours and both the anal fin and the ventral fins clearly extend beyond the bottom edge of the caudal fin. A slight dip is allowed in the contour between dorsal and caudal as long as the dorsal is overlapping the upper part of the caudal in such a way that there is no gap between the body and finnage. The body/caudal distribution in traditional plakat females is ~80/20.



Figure 3K.1   Example of a traditional plakat female.
(A) was bred by Daniella Vereeken (Belgium) and (B) was bred by Sebastiaan van der Wijngaart (the Netherlands)
Please note that this fish is an example and still exhibits points requiring improvement.


As with their male counterparts, it is important with respect to overall balance that the finnage must be in proportion with the body (see Figure 3K.1). The width of the anal fin is used as an important marker to indicate the desired proportions. In the ideal situation the length of the rays in the middle of the caudal fin, which extend from the peduncle to the outer rim, are equal to 2/5 of the width of the anal fin. Although the dorsal fin does not extend beyond the upper edge of the caudal fin, the anal fin extends below the bottom edge of the caudal fin with a clear pointed tip. The length of the rays gradually declines towards the front. Ideally the base of the dorsal fin should be 1/3 of 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 1/2 of the width of the anal fin.


2. Halfmoon plakat females
Both asymmetrical and symmetrical halfmoon plakat females are shown in this class. Although halfmoon plakat females have a shorter finnage, the overall form of the caudal, dorsal, anal, ventral and pectoral fins is similar to that of their male counterparts (see Chapter 3B and Chapter 3C). The ideal halfmoon plakat female has a symmetrical appearance which can be demonstrated by an imaginary horizontal midline which shows that the upper and lower parts of the fish nearly form a mirror-image. In contrast to their male counterparts the contour of the ideal halfmoon plakat female is that of a more rectangular-shaped oval. The outer rim of the unpaired fins follows the contours of this oval in a smooth way although a small exception is made in singletail females for the contour between dorsal and caudal. Here a slight dip is allowed as long as the dorsal is overlapping the upper part of the caudal in such a way that there is no gap between the body and finnage. The body/caudal distribution in halfmoon plakat females is ~80/20.



Figure 3K.2   Examples of halfmoon plakat females.
(A, (B) and (C) were bred by Joep van Esch (BettaTerritory; The Netherlands)
Please note that these fish are examples and still exhibit points requiring improvement.


As with their male counterparts, it is important with respect to overall balance that the finnage must be in proportion with the body (see Figure 3K.2). The width of the anal fin is used as an important marker to indicate the desired proportions. In the ideal situation the length of the rays of the caudal fin, which extend from the peduncle to the outer rim, are equal to 2/5 of the width of the anal fin. Ideally the anal fin and dorsal fin should not extend beyond the bottom edge and upper edge of the caudal fin, respectively. Ideally the base of the dorsal fin should be between 1/2 - 2/3 of the width of the anal fin. The anal fin of halfmoon plakat females, being either from asymmetrical or symmetrical lines, should not show a pointed tip but should run 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. The length of the ventral fins from the point where they are attached to the body to the tip is equal to 1/2 of the width of the anal fin.


3. Doubletail plakat females
Although doubletail plakat females have a shorter finnage, the overall form of the caudal, dorsal, anal, ventral and pectoral fins is similar to that of their male counterparts (see Chapter 3D). The ideal doubletail plakat female has a symmetrical appearance which can be demonstrated by an imaginary horizontal midline which shows that the upper and lower parts of the fish nearly form a mirror-image. In contrast to their male counterparts the contour of the ideal doubletail plakat female is that of a more rectangular-shaped oval. The outer rim of the unpaired fins follows the contours of this oval in a smooth way. The body/caudal distribution in doubletail plakat females is ~80/20.



Figure 3K.3   Example of a doubletail plakat female.
(A) was bred by Joep van Esch (BettaTerritory; The Netherlands)
Please note that this fish is an example and still exhibits points requiring improvement.


As with their male counterparts, it is important with respect to overall balance that the finnage must be in proportion with the body (see Figure 3K.3). The width of the anal fin is used as an important marker to indicate the desired proportions. In the ideal situation the length of the rays of the caudal fin, which extend from the peduncle to the outer rim, are equal to 2/5 of the width of the anal fin. Ideally the anal fin and dorsal fin should not extend beyond the bottom edge and upper edge of the caudal fin, respectively. Ideally the base of the dorsal fin should be equal to the width of the anal fin. The anal fin of doubletail plakat females should not show a pointed tip but should run 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. The length of the ventral fins from the point where they are attached to the body to the tip is equal to 1/2 of the width of the anal fin.


4. Crowntail plakat females
Although crowntail plakat females have a shorter finnage, the overall form of the caudal, dorsal, anal, ventral and pectoral fins is similar to that of their male counterparts (see Chapter 3E). The ideal halfmoon plakat female has a symmetrical appearance which can be demonstrated by an imaginary horizontal midline which shows that the upper and lower parts of the fish nearly form a mirror-image. In contrast to their male counterparts the contour of the ideal crowntail plakat female is that of a more rectangular-shaped oval. The outer rim of the unpaired fins follows the contours of this oval in a smooth way although a small exception is made in singletail females for the contour between dorsal and caudal. Here a slight dip is allowed as long as the dorsal is overlapping the upper part of the caudal in such a way that there is no gap between the body and finnage. The body/caudal distribution in crowntail plakat females is ~80/20.



Figure 3K.4   Examples of crowntail plakat females.
(A, (B) and (C) were bred by XXX
Please note that these fish are examples and still exhibit points requiring improvement.


As with their male counterparts, it is important with respect to overall balance that the finnage must be in proportion with the body (see Figure 3K.4). The width of the anal fin is used as an important marker to indicate the desired proportions. In the ideal situation the length of the rays of the caudal fin, which extend from the peduncle to the outer rim, are equal to 2/5 of the width of the anal fin. Ideally the anal fin and dorsal fin should not extend beyond the bottom edge and upper edge of the caudal fin, respectively. Ideally the base of the dorsal fin should be between 1/2 - 2/3 of the width of the anal fin. The anal fin of crowntail plakat females should not show a pointed tip but should run 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. The length of the ventral fins from the point where they are attached to the body to the tip is equal to 1/2 of the width of the anal fin.


5. Veiltail females
Although veiltail females have a shorter finnage, the overall form of the caudal, dorsal, anal, ventral and pectoral fins is similar to that of their male counterparts (see Chapter 3D). The ideal veiltail female has an asymmetrical appearance which is caused by the length and shape of the anal fin and the breadth, length and shape of the ventral fins and dorsal fin which can be demonstrated by an imaginary horizontal midline. In contrast to halfmoon females, the upper and lower parts of the ideal veiltail female do not follow the contour of the symmetrical oval, but the dorsal fin, anal fin and the ventral fins clearly extend beyond the bottom edge of the caudal fin. A slight dip is allowed in the contour between dorsal and caudal as long as the dorsal is overlapping the upper part of the caudal in such a way that there is no gap between the body and finnage. The body/caudal distribution in veiltail females is ~70/30.



Figure 3K.5   Examples of a Veiltail females.
(A) Breeder unknown (pictured by Jodi-Lea Matheson - Australia) and (B) bred by Daniel Dold (Germany)
Please note that this fish is an example and still exhibits points requiring improvement.


As with their male counterparts, it is important with respect to overall balance that the finnage must be in proportion with the body (see Figure 3K.5). The width of the anal fin is used as an important marker to indicate the desired proportions. In the ideal situation the length of the rays in the middle of the caudal fin, which extend from the peduncle to the outer rim, are equal to 3/4 of the width of the anal fin. Both the dorsal fin and anal fin extend beyond the upper and lower edge of the caudal fin with the anal fin showing a clear pointed tip. The length of the rays gradually declines towards the front. Ideally the base of the dorsal fin should be 1/3 of 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 1/2-2/3 of the width of the anal fin.


6. Halfmoon females
Although halfmoon females have a shorter finnage, the overall form of the caudal, dorsal, anal, ventral and pectoral fins is similar to that of their male counterparts (see Chapter 3E). The ideal halfmoon female 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. In contrast to their male counterparts the contour of the ideal halfmoon female is that of a more rectangular-shaped oval. The outer rim of the unpaired fins follows the contours of this oval in a smooth way although a small exception is made in singletail females for the contour between dorsal and caudal. Here a slight dip is a allowed as long as the dorsal is overlapping the upper part of the caudal in such a way that there is no gap between the body and finnage. The body/caudal distribution in halfmoon females is ~75/25.



Figure 3K.6   Examples of halfmoon  females.
(A) and  (B) were bred by Sarawut Angkunanuwat (Siamimbellis; Thailand)
Please note that these fish are examples and still exhibit points requiring improvement.


As with their male counterparts, it is important with respect to overall balance that the finnage has to be in proportion with the body (see Figure 3K.6). The width of the anal fin is used as an important marker to indicate the desired proportions. In the ideal situation the length of the rays of the caudal fin, which extend from the peduncle to the outer rim, are equal to 1/2 of the width of the anal fin. Ideally the anal fin and dorsal fin should not extend beyond the bottom edge and upper edge of the caudal fin, respectively. The length of the ventral fins from the point where they are attached to the body to the tip is equal to 1/2 of the width of the anal fin. Ideally the base of the dorsal fin should be between 1/2 - 2/3 of the width of the anal fin. The anal fin of halfmoon females should not show a pointed tip but should run 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. The length of the ventral fins from the point where they are attached to the body to the tip is equal to 1/2 of the width of the anal fin.


7. Doubletail females
Although doubletail females have a shorter finnage, the overall form of the caudal, dorsal, anal, ventral and pectoral fins is similar to that of their male counterparts (see Chapter 3F). The ideal doubletail female 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. In contrast to their male counterparts the contour of the ideal doubletail female is that of a more rectangular-shaped oval. The outer rim of the unpaired fins follows the contours of this oval in a smooth way. The body/caudal distribution in doubletail females is ~75/25.



Figure 3K.7   Examples of doubletail females.
(A, (B) and (C) were bred by XXX
Please note that these fish are examples and still exhibit points requiring improvement.


As with their male counterparts, it is important with respect to overall balance that the finnage has to be in proportion with the body (see Figure 3K.5).  The width of the anal fin is used as an important marker to indicate the desired proportions. In the ideal situation the length of the rays of the caudal fin, which extend from the peduncle to the outer rim, are equal to 1/2 of the width of the anal fin. Ideally the anal fin and dorsal fin should not extend beyond the bottom edge and upper edge of the caudal fin, respectively. Ideally the base of the dorsal fin should be equal to the width of the anal fin. The anal fin of doubletail females should not show a pointed tip but should run 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. The length of the ventral fins from the point where they are attached to the body to the tip is equal to 1/2 of the width of the anal fin.


8. Crowntail females
Although crowntail females have a shorter finnage, the overall form of the caudal, dorsal, anal, ventral and pectoral fins is similar to that of their male counterparts (see Chapter 3G). A female betta will be classified as crowntail if it shows at least a 25% reduction in webbing between the primary rays in all three unpaired fins. The ideal crowntail female 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. In contrast to their male counterparts the contour of the ideal crowntail female is that of a more rectangular-shaped oval. The outer rim of the unpaired fins follows the contours of this oval in a smooth way although a small exception is made in singletail females for the contour between dorsal and caudal. Here a slight dip is a allowed as long as the dorsal is overlapping the upper part of the caudal in such a way that there is no gap between the body and finnage. The body/caudal distribution in crowntail females is ~75/25.



Figure 3K.8   Examples of crowntail females.
(A) was bred by Chaba (Thailand) and (B) was bred by Apirak Panchuen (Korwhord; Thailand)
Please note that these fish are examples and still exhibit points requiring improvement.


As with their male counterparts, it is important with respect to overall balance that the finnage has to be in proportion with the body (see Figure 3K.8). The width of the anal fin is used as an important marker to indicate the desired proportions. In the ideal situation the length of the rays of the caudal fin, which extend from the peduncle to the outer rim, are equal to 1/2 of the width of the anal fin. Ideally the anal fin and dorsal fin should not extend beyond the bottom edge and upper edge of the caudal fin, respectively. The caudal shows a primary branching (2-ray) with a 33% reduction in webbing between the primary rays and a 15% reduction between the secondary rays. The dorsal and anal both show a 50% reduction in webbing. Ideally the base of the dorsal fin should be between 1/2 - 2/3 of the width of the anal fin. The anal fin of crowntail females should not show a pointed tip but should run 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. The length of the ventral fins from the point where they are attached to the body to the tip is equal to 1/2 of the width of the anal fin.


9. Form & Variations females
Although Form & Variation females have a shorter finnage, the overall form of the caudal, dorsal, anal, ventral and pectoral fins is similar to that of their male counterparts (see Chapter 3J). In order to be considered as "giant" a female has to have a minimum body size of 6 cm / 2.36 inch.


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