Wild to current

[FishyFishy89]

So how did bettas go from what they look like as wild, to these long finned beautys?
I'm honestly really curious. Were there breeds that were crossed with the wilds? What breeds?

[Mo]

I'm sure that bettas like this did rarely occur through selective breeding, when betta splendens were first cultivated and domesticated. such as a slightly colorful Betta was bred again to carry the trait while the other non colorful ones weren't bred, and the offspring of the colorful Betta's off spring were bred again. The same goes for long finned ones. Presumably they just bred the ones with longer fins over and over again to carry the trait......just a thought

[MrVampire181]

It formed from fighting lines. They were rejected due to their less aggressive nature and slow movements due to long fins. Over time the tail length increased and was bred for ornamental purposes.

[FishyFishy89]

Tyvm :)

[Mo]

Originally Posted by MrVampire181

It formed from fighting lines. They were rejected due to their less aggressive nature and slow movements due to long fins. Over time the tail length increased and was bred for ornamental purposes.

Mr. V. I always was under the impression that domesticated, long finned bettas were always a bit more aggressive than wild male bettas. Is this not true? I've heard it from many experienced members.

[Twilight Storm]

The book on Bettas I have said the long fins of veil tails did occur naturally, but because of this, often didn't survive. Veil tails were eventually bread to enhance the color and length of the finnage, and the other tail types were selectively bred from different traits some fish showed. Some different kinds of domestic bettas were bred from breeding two different types of bettas together.... That is a little bit in a nutshell. I find that kind of stuff interesting and wish someone made a book at least 1000 pages long with info like that :D (pictures are always excellent too ;)

[Oldfishlady]

This is not scientific.....just a theory........take it with a grain of salt......also on bettysplendens site....
http://www.plakatthai.com/thestory.html

http://bettysplendens.com/articles/p...?articleid=901

http://www.bettahq.com/history/

I have a scientific based report from OU in Oklahoma written in the 60's....but I can't find it....once I do I will post the information....

[Olympia]

I think betta were first bred for aggressiveness as fighters. Plakats seem a lot closer to original type. Betta fighting is still a huge part of Thai culture. Then someone saw the beauty in long finned rejects and went for that.

Of course with a species that has been domesticated for thousands of years, it is impossible to know. :D