Discussion: color vs form

[styggian]

This is something I've been thinking on and would like to hear thoughts on.

I have been looking everywhere for a good crowntail male. Either the color is not what I want, or the fins have terrible form, like unevenness, gaps in between rays, missing rays, or just plain messy. I found a nice male with even, well defined rays, double crown points, and a decent spread. Unfortunately, he's deep red, and I'm not fond of reds. There's a marble I like, but his rays don't look a nice.

Opinions on this delimma?

[MrVampire181]

http://www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/aucti...shm&1330709410

Lets take a look at the fish above. Nice color. But check the scaling and fins. The fins are not the best and the scales show signs of x-factor. That is because someone wasn't careful and bred fish with too much branching and fin size and improper body strength.

I personally breed fish to be more like Martinismommy's fish. Her fish have excellent fins, and great body structure and good color.

[tpocicat]

While I love color, and that is a factor, I believe form is the most important. Martinismommy as MrV says has color AND for down. She also sells CT sometimes.

[styggian]

The CT I was looking at is red with a little blueish wash on him. I'm just not a fan of red, otherwise he looks fantastic. I'm trying to decide if I should get him for my marble girls, or keep waiting until I find a color I like with good fins.

I definitely look at the scales too to make sure they're smooth and even.

[Curlyfatbottom]

Form is harder to correct.
So work with it first.
Breeding two different color might throw something new to the table.
Form might take up to 5-10 generation to prefect if your starting with lower class fish
Color might take only 2-4 to correct in a solid
Marble only take one to get marble
Anything toss with a marble will get a marble
The Ct loss it touch in these past few years.
Remember seeing my first Ct going for $20 at my lfs
This was like 9 or 10 years ago

[Myates]

I prefer a good strong color.. fins can vary. If I were to name my perfect ct, it would be my Spyro.. I wish I had more pictures of him, but a cell phone won't cut it. He is always holding his fins spread out,to me he has good fins and a strong color. His head is more red in life.. the brown caused by flash. But yeah.. since I don't show my fish, I'm not picky on the fins.. I want personality/color to shine over how the fins look.

<3 Spyro

[Curlyfatbottom]

Then go with marble or a pastel
Less depth in color but a better shine

[indjo]

@styggian: finding that perfect betta may too long. Your female might be old by the time you find him..... just keep that in mind. Sometimes you have to start with what is available and slowly work yourself through. But start with compatible colors - color combination that may produce amazing patterns. Eg. Don't start with a red x irid color because all you'll get is a multi of irid and red.... (check out the color genetic)

Can you post a picture of your female - side view of her flaring.

@Myates: for someone who's not picky on fins, you sure have a gorgeous CT - fairly balanced super delta (I think), dorsal and anal up right. Pair him to a nicely formed female (same overall balance at least) and you have potential winners.

[styggian]

[img]http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc138/jashtonjude/IMAG0384.jpg[\img]

I'll try for a better one after work, or likely a vid. The tannin effects her appearance a little, but it's almost cleared from their water now.
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[styggian]

Originally Posted by styggian

[img]http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc138/jashtonjude/IMAG0384.jpg[\img]

I'll try for a better one after work, or likely a vid. The tannin effects her appearance a little, but it's almost cleared from their water now.
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