What Are The Main Types Of Betta Fish?  

Beta Fishes are some of the most beautiful-looking fish in the hobby that can thrive in a limited amount of space and also look incredibly beautiful.  

This always catches people’s attention when they go to buy betta fish at the fish store.   

Moreover, people feel utterly confused and absolutely overwhelmed when they see so many options all together.  

Technically, all varieties of beta fish are Betta Splendens. However, breeders have selectively bred these beautiful creatures to produce the most unique colors and patterns.  

Hybridization of diverse beta species has given rise to unique diversities and varieties of betta fish.  

The International Betta Congress (IBC) serves as a worldwide authority that has established various categories to properly classify Betta Fish.   

Thus, the organization hosts Betta Fish shows in more than six continents. They have set the categorization based on several features, including fin size, tail type, color groups, and others.  

Let us go through all the relevant Betta Fish types categorized in the most recent exhibition standard book.  

Types Of Betta Fish: Male Vs Female   

The Betta fish that we see in the market or the pet shop are male Betta Fish. The male Betta Fish tends to be a lot more aggressive than the female Betta Fish.  

The male fish tend to be aggressive towards other male fish. Hence, they even try to attack when they see their own reflection in the mirror.   

Hobbyists from around the world often refer to betta fish as “fighter fish.” The male Betta Fish has larger and mor beautiful fins compared to the female Betta Fish.   

The female fish are also smaller. Their abdomens look a bit different from those of the other males, as they have to carry eggs.  

What Are The Different Types Of Betta Fish?  

Here are some of the most common types of Betta Fish varieties that hobbyists highly value.  

1. Halfmoon Betta Fish

The Halfmoon Betta Fish is very popular among fish keepers. Perhaps it is one of the most popular ones.   

Hobbyists have derived the name “Half Moon Betta” from the fish’s voluminous tail. The caudal fin of the fish looks like a half circle.   

Moreover, it spreads to almost 180 degrees when fully open. The dorsal fin, as well as the anal fin, also overlap when the Betta Fish opens up all its fins.  

2. Crown Betta Fish

Some Betta Fish have a crown-like tail. Hence, the fish lacks the webbing between the fin rays. Hence, it provides the fish’s fins with a pointy appearance.  

The dorsal, anal, and caudal fins have a pointy appearance. Furthermore, you will find various types of extensions of spikes or rays. Hence, people often call them double ray, single ray, and cross ray.   

3. Plakat Betta Fish

Breeders have traditionally bred the Plakat Betta Fish for sport. Thus, they do not really have that elongated fin that the other Betta Fish have.  

These fish have shorter tail and fins that offers them absolute agility in the water. The short fin betas can be a little more aggressive than the long fin bettas due to their lineage.  

Some Plakat Betta Fish are also called giant betta fish. Moreover, these fish keep growing throughout their life. Moreover, the giant betta fish must be at least 2.5 inches.  

4. Double-Tailed Betta Fish

The double-tailed betta fish is one of the most unique types of Betta Fish. Moreover, these fish have two tails. These tails get connected to the body of the fish.   

Hence, this makes the single tales appear to be separated into two lobes. The body looks shorter and more compact in comparison with the other Betta  Fish.  

Moreover, this happens as the body has to incorporate two tails. The fish also has a wider dorsal fin.  

5. Veiltail Betta Fish

This is the cheapest Betta Fish that you can purchase at the pet store. This fish has a much longer tail than the Plakat Betta fish.   

However, the fins of this Betta Fish are not as big as those of the Semi-Moon Betta Fish. Moreover, the tail is very droopy, and the caudal fin that is closest to the body shows a very bulbous shape.  

Moreover, the end of the fin gradually narrows and eventually tapers towards the tip.   

6. The Elephant Ear Betta Fish

Betta fish with large pectoral fins are known as Elephant Eared Betta Fish. People also call them the Dumbo Bettas.  

Moreover, the fish has earned its name for the resemblance between its fins behind the gill plates and an elephant’s ears. Moreover, this name depends on the pectoral fin.  

Thus, these fish can have diverse tail types, colors, and patterns. However, these pectoral fins are often prone to tears. Hence, they are really delicate.  

Thus, you should not add anything sharp to the aquarium. Furthermore, you should maintain water quality to ensure the long-term health of the Betta Fish.  

7. Alien Betta Fish

This betta has the incredible colors of a domestic Betta Fish. On the other hand, this fish has the structural features of a wild betta fish.   

They have a small head along with a slender body. The dorsal, caudal, and anal fins generally have dark, thick bars. Moreover, these fish come with blue to green neon colors.  

Moreover, their face tends to be non-black. Furthermore, they have a darker edge around the fish’s scales.  

What Are The Common Colors Of Betta Fish?  

A Betta Fish can come in multiple color types. However, the main colors generally include yellow, orange, green, turquoise, blue, steel, black, and white.  

These colors often have metallic sheens, neon effects, translucent effects, and other modifiers.  

Hence, based on these patterns and colors, the hobbyists identify them as single-colored, bicolor, multicolored, or patterned. Here are some common betta fish.   

1. Single Colored Betta Fish

These betta fish types have only a single color on their head, body, and fins. Hence, you will not find any other type of color in this fish.  

2. Bicolor Betta Fish

The Bicolor Betta Fish generally has two color types. The body tends to be one color, and the fins generally have a different color.     

3. Butterfly Betta Fish

The butterfly betta has a distinct banded pattern on their fins. Moreover, the inner band and the outer band of the betta fish have distinct coloration.  

The fish often has multiple color bands on their fins. However, a clear band always distinguishes the two bands.