exploring longtail betta varieties: ethics and concerns

[Lollies]

I've been toying with the idea of getting another B. splendens, maybe a simple nano setup with some nice plants. Lately, I've been looking into longtail betta varieties. I'd love to keep a plakat in a bigger tank, but I don't think anything under 5 gallons would be ideal for such an active fish.

I've had experience with longtails before - three veiltails and a crowntail. Obi, the crowntail, was pretty laid-back compared to the others, except for Steve, who was even more sedentary. Obi never seemed to struggle swimming, though. I've been doing some research and found that certain tail types are a no-go: Rose/Feathertails, doubletails, and dumbo ears.

But what about halfmoons? I know rose and feathertails are basically exaggerated versions of this tail type, but do halfmoons have too much trouble swimming to be considered a bad idea? I think they're beautiful, and a small tank with low flow might be okay, but I don't want to spend a lot of money on a fish that's just going to suffer.

What are your thoughts on this?

[Burgermuncher]

I've always leaned towards fish that have functional traits, rather than those bred for extreme features. I mean, I do have Angels with blue and albino characteristics that wouldn't exactly serve them well in the wild, so I guess you could say I'm a bit of a hypocrite. For bettas, I think I'd personally go with the plakat variety - there's just something about watching a hunter struggle to swim that doesn't sit right with me. That's just my two cents, no judgment intended.

[Clack]

I've actually been considering some of the more exotic betta varieties, like the alien betta. I know they're not exactly natural, but they're really eye-catching and their fins are relatively short, so I'm guessing they don't have the same issues as some of the other types. I think if you're looking at crowntails or similar, a 10g long tank would be a better choice, just to give them more space to swim around. I completely agree that bettas are clever little fish, I've got mine in a 6g tank and I like to mix up the decor every now and then to keep him engaged.

[Lollies]

I've actually been considering some of the more exotic betta varieties, like the alien betta. I know they're not exactly natural, but they're really eye-catching and their fins are relatively short, so I'm guessing they don't have the same issues as some of the other types. I think if you're looking at crowntails or similar, a 10g long tank would be a better choice, just to give them more space to swim around. I completely agree that bettas are clever little fish, I've got mine in a 6g tank and I like to mix up the decor every now and then to keep him engaged.

I've seen the alien bettas at my local fish store and Petco, and I must say, they're really cool - metallic and shiny without the health issues associated with fluxeonscales. They're a bit pricey, around $20 at a chain store and $30-35 for a well-bred individual at the LFS, but I think I could save up for one.

Considering my options for this hypothetical setup, I've narrowed down my choices to a few varieties. The alien betta is definitely a contender, with its shorter fins and beautiful metallic sheen - although it's quite pricey, at around $35 for a well-bred fish. The canvas betta is another option, with a variety of available fin types without the extra baggage of a long tail, but it's uncommon in LFS and chains, and pricey at about $20-30 per fish.

I've had experience with crowntail bettas in the past, and I know they can thrive in a well-maintained tank - they have stunning finnage, and my previous crowntail lived quite healthily. However, they're a larger variety, and I think they'd be better suited to a 6-gallon or larger setup.

Lastly, there's the halfmoon betta, which I'm still unsure about. They have stunning finnage, and most colors look amazing in this variety. However, I'm concerned that their larger fins might impede movement, and I've never had the experience of keeping one to find out.

[Clack]

I've seen the alien bettas at my local pet stores and they're really cool - the metallic sheen is amazing and I love that they don't have the same health issues as some other varieties. The price is a bit steep, around $20-$35 for a well-bred one, but I might be able to save up for it.

If I were to narrow down my options for this tank, I'd consider the following:

- Alien bettas have shorter fins and tails, which I like, and that beautiful metallic sheen. The downside is the price - they're around $35 for a well-bred one.
- Canvas bettas offer a variety of fin types without the extra baggage of a long tail, but they're hard to find in pet stores and chains, and are pricey at around $20-$30 per fish.
- Crowntails have stunning finnage and I've had good experiences with them in the past, but they're better suited for a larger tank, 6 gallons or more.
- Halfmoons also have stunning finnage, but I'm concerned that their larger fins might impede movement - I've never had one before, so I'm not sure.

[graye]

I've seen canvas males pop up in female betta tanks at my local pet store - to the point where they stopped stocking females together due to all the aggressive males they got, despite changing suppliers multiple times.

Honestly, I don't have a huge issue with long-finned bettas in a 5-gallon tank - they can barely move as it is. Canvas bettas, though, are a different story - they're more like real fish and can actually swim around.

[Lollies]

I've seen canvas males pop up in female betta tanks at my local pet store - to the point where they stopped stocking females together due to all the aggressive males they got, despite changing suppliers multiple times.

Honestly, I don't have a huge issue with long-finned bettas in a 5-gallon tank - they can barely move as it is. Canvas bettas, though, are a different story - they're more like real fish and can actually swim around.

I was wondering about that - a plakat or possibly an alien betta might have similar activity levels to their wild counterparts of the same size, which would make a 10 gal or larger tank more suitable. But since they can barely swim, would I be contributing to their suffering if I were to intentionally buy or "rescue" one from a chain store, knowing their limitations?

[Emeraldsea]

Considering the ethics of keeping longtail betta varieties, I've always been concerned about the wellbeing of these fish. As we all know, selective breeding for ornamental traits can sometimes hinder their natural abilities, like swimming. However, it's also true that as long as there's a demand for such fish, breeders will continue to produce them.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this, especially when it comes to halfmoon betta varieties. While I find them stunning, I worry that their larger fins might impede their movement and overall quality of life. Have any of you had experience with halfmoon bettas?