Betta fish is popular among hobbyists for its attractive color, unique style, and catchy tail structure. Though yellow, black, and red are common colors in betta, there is a wide range of color patterns among betta varieties. Some colors are common, and others are rare.
However, the aquarists can find appealing color patches, splotches, and color strokes on the body and fins of the fish. Some bettas have merging color patches while others have distinct shades with a single color.
The Vibrant World of Betta Fish Colors: A Guide to Different Varieties
Beginners may not differentiate between different types of betta based on gender, color, and patterns. With continuous practical experience, you can learn a lot about the betta fish colors. This article will guide the reader about the color shades and patterns leading to a better differentiation of different color bettas.
1. Butterfly Betta Fish
The butterfly design is similar to the butterfly wings. The body and gills of the betta are of the same single shade, while exterior gills have a different color tint that enhances the beauty of the betta. Butterfly patterns make the betta more popular for breeding. It is one of the selling bettas. An interesting fact about butterfly betta is that its colors do not merge. The color tints have distinct color shades, and the butterfly pattern runs in a vertical form from head to tail.
3. Dalmatian Betta Fish
Dalmatian fish resembles the marble betta. The only difference is that its marking is more evident than its counterpart. The dark spots on the body of Dalmatian betta make it one of the coolest and most attractive beauties of the freshwater. Dark spots can be a blend of different colors like white, red, and cyan. Though Dalmatian bettas are available in several varieties, you will find the Bright red Dalmatian with reddish-orange dots more appealing.
3. Marble Betta Fish
Marble bettas have splotches on the whole body similar to a marble slab. Splotches are spread randomly all over the body, tail, fins, and gills. Interestingly, the marble pattern is not present in a newborn fish rather a betta develops it with maturity. Sometimes, marble pattern is the result of a color loss for any reason. The light-color-bodied bettas develop dark-colored marble splotches. Whatever the reason for marble splotches, it undoubtedly enhances the beauty of freshwater bodies.
4. Grizzle Betta Fish
Grizzle looks eye-catching for its paint strokes. At first sight, you will consider the color strokes like paint. Bettas with grizzle patterns have a jumbled-up of light and dark colors equally. The fins of the grizzle betta look like the paint strokes. Sometimes, the still grizzle betta looks like a painted betta. However, the movement and play of betta amuse the betta lovers.
4. Piebald Betta Fish
Fish with a piebald pattern has a colorless spot on the head of the betta. However, the rest of the body of the piebald is colorful. The combination of colors on fins, gills, and body appeals to aquarists and hobbyists. Sometimes, betta may have a colorless spot on the head for health concerns. So, it is necessary to distinguish between a piebald pattern and a color fading issue.
5. Metallic Betta Fish
Metallic colors are popular for enchanting beauty and shine. A betta with metallic shades looks quite appealing and soothes the eyes of hobbyists. Metallic patterns appear among several varieties of betta. At first sight, it looks like someone has painted a metallic shade on the betta’s body. Metallic shade grows with maturity and they are not inborn shades. Usually, dark metallic shades are more popular among the light-bodied bettas.
7. Full Mask Betta Fish
Full Mask bettas are different from regular bettas. A betta has a darker shade of face than the body and tail. On the contrary to it, a full mask betta has the same color body and face. You will find an even tone of betta from head to toe. However, tails and fins appear in different colors.
Moreover, half-mask betta also exists. They carry half of the face color similar to the body and the rest of the face has a different shade.
8. Copper Betta Fish
Copper betta comes in metallic shades with the addition of yellow color. The yellow color enhances the shine of the metallic betta. Copper betta is often observed in purple and steel blue color. However, copper bettas do not have a red color. This feature distinguishes the copper betta from its metallic counterpart. Hobbyists love the copper betta for its shining and bright outlook. Those who do not like red-colored betta can choose copper betta for their room aquarium.
9. Dragon Betta Fish
Vibrant colors and enchanting shiny plates enhance the beauty of the dragon scales. Drago betta features a unique style of scales and fins that suggest its title. Dragon betta has larger scales than other freshwater fish. So, breeders like to sell at a higher cost. This type of betta requires special attention while residing in an aquarium. Hobbyists avoid any hard or scaled decoration that can hurt the fish’s large scales, pointed fins, and tail.
10. Bi-Color Betta Fish
Bicolor bettas look super attractive. As the name implies, bicolor betta carries only two colors. When a betta has more than two colors, it is not a bicolor betta. A bicolor betta has two distinct colors in the body and gills. This freshwater specie is ideal for home or commercial decorations. Moreover, bicolor bettas often face health concerns. So, they need extraordinary care while breeding or residing within a tank.
11. Cambodian Betta Fish
Cambodian pattern is not found naturally rather it is the result of selective breeding. To get Cambodian species, breeders select bicolor betta. The colors and shades of the body depend upon the selection of bicolor betta. The central body part holds a light pink tint and the rest of the body and tail have sharp colors. Cambodians are more prone to health issues. They have shorter life spans. So, you need to be careful while choosing Cambodian betta for the home tank.
12. Purple Betta Fish
Purple betta is one of the rarest colors to breed. Merchants sell purple-colored betta at the highest rate for its rare breeding. Some bettas have purple bodies while others have purple fins and tails. But getting a full purple betta is difficult. Otherwise, you can get one at a high cost. Purple bettas are often found in Mauve shades or blue color spectrum. They can also have black or bronze variants.
13. Chocolate Betta Fish
Usually, a chocolate body comes with a brown body with striking orange fins. Some chocolate bettas also have yellow fins with black highlights on the edges. However, chocolate bettas are as attractive as their name. Though chocolate bettas are not recognized officially, they are popular in the local aquarium world for their striking and interesting color patterns. Chocolate bettas can prove an appealing choice for your home aquarium.
14. Black lace Betta Fish
Black lace is an interesting black betta. It is among black betta species, but it comes with attractive white edges. The fins and tails of betta are pure black. But they are outlined like lace around the edges. Lace-style edges of the betta make it more popular among the aquarists. Black lace is an expensive specie for its rare breeding process.
15. Melano Black Betta Fish
Melano bettas are pure black betta. Melanos do not have any other color in their body. If you have seen a black and blue betta, it is considered a bicolor betta, not the Melano betta. Getting a pitch-black beta is hard for breeders. Common betta varieties come in a combination of colors. So, breeding two black bettas is rare. Breeders often misguide the retailers and sell the bicolor blue and black betta as Melano.
16. Koi Betta Fish
Koi betta is popular for its changing colors and patterns over time. As it grows mature, its color patterns change from the inborn colors. Koi betta is a variant of the marble betta. That is why you can find patches and splotches of different colors on the body of koi betta. Koi betta is the result of selective breeding. It did not originate from the South Asian deltas – a native home to the betta.
17. Thai Flag
Thai flag fish carries blue body lines while fins and tails are a combination of red, blue, and white. The colors of the fish resemble the Thai flag. The Thai flag is one of the most demanded and expensive betta specie. Its vibrant colors and horizontal lines make it popular commercially. It is a rare betta specie that keeps hobbyists anxious for it.
18. Black Orchid Betta Fish
The black orchid comes with a pitch-black colored body and tail. Moreover, the scales are highlighted with intense blue lines that enhance the attractiveness of the betta. Fins often have red or blue lines. The black orchid is one of the rare species of bettas. It is harder to breed it. Undoubtedly, it can give a classy look to your home aquarium.
19. Pineapple Betta Fish
Pineapple betta is also known as a yellow betta. Yellow betta comes in several varieties and variating yellow shades. Some bettas have a lemon yellow color while others have a pineapple shade. Pineapple betta has distinct shades on fins and tails. Yellow bettas or pineapple bettas are also referred to as non-red-colored bettas. Among the sharp and bright colors f betta, pineapple betta gives a more classy and inspirational look to your aquarium.
20. Gold Betta Fish
Gold bettas are yellow with a metallic shine. The metallic tint distinguishes the gold betta from the yellow counterpart. Further, hobbyists love to have gold betta for its attractive fins and tails. The golden color is the enchanting beauty of the betta variant. With its pure golden color, betta seems an ornament. So, this attractive betta friend can amuse you with its catchy look and interesting features.
You can also check Betta Fish Tail Types.
Different colored fish has different behaviors
Betta fish behavior is subject to the kind of betta species. Some bettas are aggressive while others are calm. Moreover, the betta environment also instigates a unique and different behavior than its original species. Wild betta is popular for their cool and calm attitude and they are known as less-aggressive betta. On the other hand, koi betta and some other types are known as Siamese fighting fish. So, one cannot predict the behavior of a particular betta. Further, betta’s behaviors also variate with gender, type, and water environment (freshwater, tank, pools).
Do Betta fish change color?
Yes, betta fish may change color. But it can happen under certain circumstances. Usually, bettas keep the inborn color throughout their lives. Nonetheless, betta can change its color temporarily under high stress. Stressful circumstances, non-optimal water conditions, or a fight with another betta or competitor can lead to a different color shade than its original one. Moreover, you will find your betta pet shiny and bright when it plays or swims happily.
Conclusion
Betta is a delicate specie that requires the complete attention of hobbyists and aquarists. You cannot forget betta after residing in a tank. These are just a few categories of betta fish described, many others are still on hold.
Some bettas come with basic color variations and cannot be categorized distinctly in any type. Betta breeders keep on experimenting with new color patterns and genetic variations. So, rare species like purple, black, and chocolate can also be made available with the competitive breeding process.
Hopefully, you might have got interesting information on the colors of betta. Surely, it will help you to bring the most vibrant and catchy betta color to your living-room aquarium.
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