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Rosetails By: Joep van Esch Submitted: 8/31/2005 Young copper/gold rosetail (6 weeks old) Young fish with extreme rosetail signs like the extensive branching in the caudal, small dorsal and ventral finnage Blue rosetail HM with a 230 degree spread In order to breed and develop the perfect halfmoon betta, betta breeders select their fish on several characteristics like straight rays/edges and multiple branching in order to breed fish which have balanced, well proportioned finnage. To accomplish this goal and to fixate these characterics breeding methods like inbreeding, linebreeding are often used. The quest for the perfect halfmoon by this breeding method gave rise to a new development in the betta splendens tailforms, the rosetail. The first rosetails mutants arose in 1989, when the CHENMASWIL team was developing the modern halfmoon. It was Jeff Wilson who gave them the name rosetail in 1991 [1]. There are many degrees of rosetails, from moderate to extreme forms (often referred to as fan- or feathertails). The main characteristic of the rosetail is the excessive branching in all three unpaired fins. Especially the excessive branching and the overlapping rays in the caudal finnage results a 'rose-like' appearance, which explains the choice of the name. Other characteristics which are often seen with rosetails, especially with the more extreme forms, are smaller ventrals, a smaller dorsal, ligther colored bodies in comparison with the normal fish from the spawn, bad scales, slower growth and development. The extensive branching also often influences the swimming capabilities of these type of fish. Most of the time the rosetail characteristics can be spotted very early in developing younsters. Especially the extreme forms already show fantastic finnage and impressive spread at a really young age in comparison to their normal siblings. Here we can see a nice comparison of two spawn sibblings which clearly points out the differences between a moderate rosetail (left) and the extreme form (right picture). The fish on the right clearly shows the extreme rosetail branching, the smaller dorsal, smaller ventrals and bad scales on te body in comparison with his normal brother. These pictures also clearly show the lighter body color which was described earlier. The caudal finnage of this male is showing mild rosetail signs. We first see a normal halfmoon branching but towards the end of the tail this flows into a more extensive branching at the end. This male is showing a magnificent balanced finnage. The extensive raysplitting and slight overlap points out the presence of rosetail characteristics. This male is showing clear rosetail characteristics in his caudal finnage (Notice the extensive branching and the rose-like appearance) This male is an example of a more extreme rosetail, notice the heavy branching in all three unpaired fins and the lighter colored body. This male is showing an extreme rosetail form called fan- or feathertail. The raysplitting in the caudal finnage is build up like a feather. Please note the extensive ray splitting in the dorsal and anal finnage. Another example of a male showing the fan- or feathertail finnage. The raysplitting in the caudal finnage is build up like a feather. Should We Use Rosetails In Our Lines? This is a question that each breeder should answer for himself. The opinion about this differs heavily among betta breeders. Some breeders refuse to use these fish and cull the extreme forms. They only use the normal or moderate sibblings. Others swear by using these fish in their lines and claim that the use of rosetails increases the percentage HM finnage in their lines. One thing is certain about this, when you use rosetails in your line you will increase the percentage rosetail in the next generation. To my personal opinion we should be very cautious with this trait. When working with these type of fish you will have to select very strict and strongly in order to keep balanced fish. I personally would prefer to use the normal or moderate sibblings from the rosetail fish for a spawn. Thereby very carefull in looking for a female with not to much branching in order to compensate the extensive branching. Further development of the rosetail characteristic will maybe lead to the development of a reall fullmoon betta with a 360 degree caudal spread. But keep in mind a fish has to swim! Literature: 1.Arofanatics forum 2.Pictures with permission of Marcel van den Bossche 3.Picture with permission of Ilse Hoekstra 4. Picture with permission of Marion Schultheiss 5. Picture with permission of Carmen Scharschmidt Source: Betta Territory

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HEJSAN FROM SWEDEN EVERYONE! Everything in Sweden is going well, although I'm still busy learning the language and coping with a newborn, so it will be a bit before I'm as active as I'd like with the fish. This is a Facebook update! I have created a new BettySplendens Facebook page that will be used exclusively for betta-related networking. On the 16th of August I will be going through and deleting most of the people on my personal Facebook page who are not actual friends or family (many of you have become friends through the course of the hobby, and of course will not be deleted). If for any reason you wish to remain on my personal page, please let me know by emailing bettysplendens@yahoo.com, or FB email. Otherwise, go to the new BettySplendens Facebook page and click the 'like' button for more betta-related news and updates :).

Tack så mycket (that's ''Thank you very much'' in Svenskie-land ;))! ~Victoria~

Slight change of plans! I have decided that, instead of reinventing the wheel, I'm going to create a personal FB page and use the old one purely for betta stuff. So if you're on the original page (now called BettySplendens Bettas), please stay put! :P

For all the betta inquiries:
Just a reminder, I am not selling bettas in the US at the present time. I may begin to supply a few select bettas throughout Europe sometime in late Spring 2011. Cheers!

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