When choosing a betta fish, it’s important to select one that matches your vibe. Betta fish come in a variety of colors, patterns, and breeds, offering plenty of options to fit your style. Picking the right one from the many available types is key. In this post, we’ve listed the top trending betta fish types, along with pictures and their key traits.
Welcome to AngryFishes. Let’s get started,
How many betta fish types are there?
There are 73 types of Betta species identified, but our aquarium betta fish variety comes from special and selective breeding of the Betta splendens species. This is because of their low maintenance and attractive body patterns.
Each type has its characteristics in terms of color, tail pattern, and overall appearance. However, the breeding procedure for all Betta fish types is the same.
The selective breeding of Betta over the years has produced eye-catching and attractive betta fish types, which are listed below with pictures (image credits mentioned at the end)
Types of betta categorized by their Pattern
For the sake of simplicity, we have classified the types of Betta fish into two major categories:
- Based on color patterns
- Based on the tail variety
Over the years, many breeders have tried to achieve unique and attractive color patterns in bettas through selective or targeted crossbreeding. Various eye-catching patterns have been bred, and they are listed below
1. Alien Betta (Wild ones)
The vibrant colors and unique patterns of the Alien Betta’s body and fins set it apart from other breeds. Its lineage is derived from the wild betta species, resulting in a slightly longer body shape than average bettas. While not technically a wild betta itself, its wild ancestry makes it more sensitive to changes in water parameters like pH, temperature, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), and more.
These betta types are called Alien bettas in some regions and wild bettas in others. As a relatively new and rising breed among betta lovers and hobbyists, achieving full recognition and a standard common name will likely take some time
2. Copper Betta
True to their name, Copper Bettas possess amazing unique looks. They have bodies shining with a metallic-like polish, due to their distinctive metallic sheen in fins and scales. This dazzling beauty, along with their relatively affordable price compared to other rare Betta breeds, makes them a popular choice among hobbyists
3. Avatar Betta
The Avatar breed was first bred in Thailand and later transferred to other regions. The unique stars-like patterns on their bodies and the sharp lines on their fins make them exceptionally unique and add dazzling elegance to any aquarium. Although quite expensive and rare to buy, the Avatar is considered one of the most stunning lines of betta fish currently available.
4. Albino Betta
Just like in other species, albino bettas have a purely white body without red eyes. Their completely white coloration and stunning tails create a striking look, especially in aquariums with dark or contrasting backgrounds. Additionally, these fish are relatively easy to find in the market and tend to be more affordable compared to other betta varieties.
5. Dragon Betta
This vibrant betta variety, often called the “Dragon Betta,” showcases two distinct colors on its body and flowing fins. The shining primary color, typically white, yellow, or orange, dominates its body, while a sharp contrasting line of darker hues like red or blue extends from the body and gracefully into the fins, adding stunning detail. This striking color combination, reminiscent of a dragon’s fire, is what earned this breed its amazing name. The crossbreeding dragon bettas can create stunning hybrid offspring, like marble and koi dragons. These beautiful fish are readily available in the betta market.
6. Hellboy betta
Hellboy is one of the most attractive and stunning betta types, as the name itself indicates. These types possess a dark base color on their bodies and also possess minute details in both their bodies and tails. This type is one of the most stunning, and cost-wise, it is also more expensive when compared to others.
7. Galaxy Betta
The Galaxy betta, with its attractive, multi-colored scales that produce a sense of calm and peace, is one of the hottest trends in the aquarium market today. Numerous crossbred strains like Koi Galaxy, Nemo Galaxy, and Hellboy Galaxy showcase the stunning variety this species offers. While Galaxy bettas previously carried a premium price tag, the increased availability thanks to betta breeders has gradually brought their cost down, making them more accessible to hobbyists
8. Koi Betta
Koi bettas have shiny scales like koi fish, but the betta version is smaller and different! They come in many pretty colors, like red, orange, blue, and black, which look great in an aquarium.
9. Butterfly Betta
This butterfly betta is a stunning accomplishment by breeders! Its color pattern mimics the vibrant wings of a butterfly, with a variety of shades mirroring the natural world. Even tiny details of its body, while the fins showcase two distinct colors separated by clean borders. This makes it a truly amazing choice for any aquarium enthusiast.
10. Marble Betta
This marble betta looks like a living piece of art! Its scales add an amazing swirl of colors and patterns,まるで本物のマーブル模様のよう. The distinct borders between these colors enhance the resemblance of marble, truly making it a standout addition to any aquarium
11. Silky Betta
Silky bettas are a truly attractive type of betta fish, admired for their shining scales that resemble fine silk. They come in spectacular shades of golden yellow, silver white, and copper, and their brilliance shines through even in dim light. If you’re seeking a betta that adds constant elegance and sparkle to your aquarium, the silky betta is a perfect choice.
12. Cellophane Betta
Cellophane bettas stand out for their translucent scales, which reveal their bodies and fins like clear windows. Though not as rare as some might think, they’re a charming addition to any aquarium. Indeed, over 30% of fry from Galaxy or Koi betta breeding can show cellophane traits, making them more readily available and often more affordable compared to other varieties.
13. Mustard gas betta
Mustard Gas bettas are an attractive type, frequently present in the tanks of even the most basic pet stores. Their beauty lies in their stunning scales, which showcase a mesmerizing contrast of colors.
Imagine a vibrant golden glow, reminiscent of spreading gas, sweeping across the tail and body, with sharp black markings in the body and a cool blue present in the head. This stunning combination makes Mustard Gas bettas a truly eye-catching addition to any aquarium.
14. Dumbo Ear or elephant ear betta
Move over, extraordinary fins! The Dumbo Ear Betta, also known as the Elephant Ear Betta, takes the spotlight with its extra-large pectoral fins. These flowing fins, resembling an additional tail, give this special Betta a truly majestic appearance.
15. Nemo Candy Betta
The Nemo Candy Betta brings a taste of nostalgia to your aquarium with its vibrant candy-like patterns. It’s like swimming alongside a classic lollipop, with darker shades swirling gracefully into lighter ones. If you’re dreaming of a two-toned beauty that looks good enough to eat (but please don’t!), the Nemo Candy Betta is the perfect catch for you!
Types are categorized based on the Tails/Fins
Similar to the efforts in color patterns, several breeders have focused on breeding bettas with different tail or fin characteristics to achieve unique tails such as twin tails, crown tails, etc. The main tail varieties are listed below
16. Crown Tail Betta
17. Halfmoon Betta
18. Over Halfmoon Betta
19. Double Tail Betta
20. Spade Tail Betta
21. Plakad Type Betta
Wrapping up
We hope this blog post about the types of Betta fish provides valuable insights for aquarium enthusiasts in choosing the perfect betta for their tank.
We believe this post deserves a share as we cover major and trending types of Betta, unlike other websites.
Thank you for staying till the end. We’ll see you another day.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many betta types are there?
There are 73 types of Betta species identified, but our aquarium betta fish variety comes from special and selective breeding of the Betta splendens species. This is because of their low maintenance and attractive patterns in their bodies.
Which exotic betta varieties typically cost more than common ones?
Avatar, Galaxy, Hellboy, and Wild Alien betta varieties are typically more expensive than common varieties like Marble and Mustard Gas Bettas.
Image Credits:
- Pinterest (other than 17)
- Shutterstock (17)
- Unsplash (Featured image)