Before this thing gets going, let me set one rule;
If you do not know how to have a debate without turning it into an argument, I suggest that you just read and not post. This is a touchy subject and I want to get to the roots of it, not stay stuck on the gut reactions to taboo practices.
I also want to make something clear. This is all theory. I have no intention of breeding any defective fish. At this point I haven't the knowledge or experience to do so. So consider anything said here-in as purely theory and fact gathering.
Over the years, betta have changed from the very simple vale-tails we had as children to many different types. We now have crown-tails and comb-tails that range from a few single spikes at the ends of the tail to double and triple branching, extra long spikes and some very strange and interesting shapes. Double-tails where almost unheard of when I was young, and now they are everywhere, and what's more, we know HOW this mutation happened and how to reproduce it. Half-moon and deltas are common, and we have the knowledge to understand and prevent rose-tails, even though they are beautiful fish. All of this came from one practice; breeding deformities. There is NOTHING like the double-tail, rose-tail and comb-tail betta in the wild, these things have been selectively bred for decades to produce a look that is favorable and, for the most part, healthy.
Of course, each type has it's issues. The comb-tail is prone to curling in the wrong water, and the long spikes can be damaged easily; The delta and half-moon can, with improper breeding, create a rose-tail, which is a beautiful fish, but not without it's own problems. And the double-tail; In my opinion it is the greatest achievement for betta breeders, but the health risks are great, a double-tail can have a very short body, and much of a betta's body contains the swim bladder, which if damaged or deformed can cause serious and life threatening problems. But we love these fish regardless, and are willing to deal with the problems as they come.
At some point, each of these breeds was nothing more then an idea, and some brave person decided to accept the challenge of breeding and refining their stock into something new and interesting. And betta aren't the only fish affected by this. Most notably, goldfish have evolved over the years into some very strange, and some scary, mutations.
But when are these experiments acceptable? When the first breeders of double-tails decided to take the chances on this form of betta, where they ridiculed and shunned? I have to think so. We are taught that it is bad to breed an imperfect fish. Our chosen breeding stock has even fins, a full body, a straight line to the nose, ect; Breeding to create a deformity is wrong on a primal level.
Why?
Many of us have come across deformities that are not normally seen in Betta. Most breeders cull these imperfections at an early age. But there are those who keep the imperfect fish and some that slip through the cracks. And some of these imperfections are not life threatening. So when is it acceptable to breed a mutation?
I have been struggling with these questions lately. I have recently started breeding, and my first pair will be ready tomorrow, after a week of preparation. They are healthy representatives of their species, both large, in the prime of their lives, both physically fit and whole; An acceptable breeding pair. There will likely be a few deformed fry.... and this is the part where the lines blur;
In your opinion, what should be culled?
what are your thoughts on breeding imperfect fish for a specific deformity?
At this point, I am of the opinion that if the fish is healthy and able to live a full life, it should be allowed to do so. Case in point, Tidbit; a female who was born without a tail. This would seem to be a major deformity.. but it isn't life threatening and does not detract at all from her quality of life. In fact, this deformity might give her an edge over the other females in her group. So I know when coming across this deformity that it isn't always life threatening and any fry born like this will be spared, unless other deformities manifest that are damaging. But should this deformity be cultivated? I could easily breed Tidbit to produce more of her type, as was done with double-tail and crown-tail bettas in the past, but on a moral and ethical level, is it acceptable? I would like as much input as possible, please.
NO ARGUING!
If you do not know how to have a debate without turning it into an argument, I suggest that you just read and not post. This is a touchy subject and I want to get to the roots of it, not stay stuck on the gut reactions to taboo practices.
I also want to make something clear. This is all theory. I have no intention of breeding any defective fish. At this point I haven't the knowledge or experience to do so. So consider anything said here-in as purely theory and fact gathering.
Over the years, betta have changed from the very simple vale-tails we had as children to many different types. We now have crown-tails and comb-tails that range from a few single spikes at the ends of the tail to double and triple branching, extra long spikes and some very strange and interesting shapes. Double-tails where almost unheard of when I was young, and now they are everywhere, and what's more, we know HOW this mutation happened and how to reproduce it. Half-moon and deltas are common, and we have the knowledge to understand and prevent rose-tails, even though they are beautiful fish. All of this came from one practice; breeding deformities. There is NOTHING like the double-tail, rose-tail and comb-tail betta in the wild, these things have been selectively bred for decades to produce a look that is favorable and, for the most part, healthy.
Of course, each type has it's issues. The comb-tail is prone to curling in the wrong water, and the long spikes can be damaged easily; The delta and half-moon can, with improper breeding, create a rose-tail, which is a beautiful fish, but not without it's own problems. And the double-tail; In my opinion it is the greatest achievement for betta breeders, but the health risks are great, a double-tail can have a very short body, and much of a betta's body contains the swim bladder, which if damaged or deformed can cause serious and life threatening problems. But we love these fish regardless, and are willing to deal with the problems as they come.
At some point, each of these breeds was nothing more then an idea, and some brave person decided to accept the challenge of breeding and refining their stock into something new and interesting. And betta aren't the only fish affected by this. Most notably, goldfish have evolved over the years into some very strange, and some scary, mutations.
But when are these experiments acceptable? When the first breeders of double-tails decided to take the chances on this form of betta, where they ridiculed and shunned? I have to think so. We are taught that it is bad to breed an imperfect fish. Our chosen breeding stock has even fins, a full body, a straight line to the nose, ect; Breeding to create a deformity is wrong on a primal level.
Why?
Many of us have come across deformities that are not normally seen in Betta. Most breeders cull these imperfections at an early age. But there are those who keep the imperfect fish and some that slip through the cracks. And some of these imperfections are not life threatening. So when is it acceptable to breed a mutation?
I have been struggling with these questions lately. I have recently started breeding, and my first pair will be ready tomorrow, after a week of preparation. They are healthy representatives of their species, both large, in the prime of their lives, both physically fit and whole; An acceptable breeding pair. There will likely be a few deformed fry.... and this is the part where the lines blur;
In your opinion, what should be culled?
what are your thoughts on breeding imperfect fish for a specific deformity?
At this point, I am of the opinion that if the fish is healthy and able to live a full life, it should be allowed to do so. Case in point, Tidbit; a female who was born without a tail. This would seem to be a major deformity.. but it isn't life threatening and does not detract at all from her quality of life. In fact, this deformity might give her an edge over the other females in her group. So I know when coming across this deformity that it isn't always life threatening and any fry born like this will be spared, unless other deformities manifest that are damaging. But should this deformity be cultivated? I could easily breed Tidbit to produce more of her type, as was done with double-tail and crown-tail bettas in the past, but on a moral and ethical level, is it acceptable? I would like as much input as possible, please.