Wondering about Double tail

[Ella3]

I was trying to find some info on this. I'm only seeing double tail bettas as halfmoons. Is this the only kind of double tails there are or can there be double tails with all types of finnage? Specifically, can there be a double tail veil tail? I'm wondering because I'm pretty sure that I'm the proud new owner of one.

I've checked him closely and he has a double tail. It's not fin rot or anything. I'm not very familiar with double tails, so I came home and started looking up info on them. That's when I only came across DT HM's. Any info is appreciated!

Ella

[starlight]

Double Tails come in all types of betta finnage. The reason you don't see too many veils is that commercial breeders don't try to develop the trait. The dt trait originally showed up as a mutation. When 2 dt's are bred together, breeders report bent spines, short bodies and other defects. For commercial betta breeders to develop the trait, they'd have to bred two dt's. This may not be feasible for them. Otherwise they just "show up" in spawns. My lps calls them scissors tails. They show up now and then in crowntails as well. Halfmoon breeders revere the double tail. Many breed some dt in their lines since the dt's improve halfmoon finnage.

Ella...does his dorsal fin look any wider than a regular vt? (not longer)

[Ella3]

No, his dorsal fin looks the same width as a regular veil. Scissor tail does seem to be a good description of what he looks like. Just like someone cut the fin in half with a pair of scissors. Is that a made up name? Just wondering because when I was reading about tail types I came across someone calling another tail type a spade tail. I also have a male with a spade tail. I don't know that it is a recognized name either.

Guess maybe I just have several good looking/interesting "mutts" ;D I love them anyway and they do make for good conversation. Thanks for the info Starlight. I'd love to hear anything else you know about either tail type.

Ella

[Ella3]

Whoops.....I meant caudal fin looks like it was cut in half. Sorry for the mix up. The dorsal fin looks like a normal veil's.

Ella

[starlight]

Scissors tail is a made up name for the dt but on a veil it is an apt name since the ends of the vt's tail look like scissors. With a halfmoon the split is not supposed to be apparent, rather you have a 180 degree hm tail with a split that doesn't show and more, more finnage thrown in. This is very rare and the few one's I've seen that match my description are rare birds and show winners.

Since you want to know and I'm talking hm's. The thing about dt's, the top and bottom lobes must match each other (same size and shape) Otherwise you are looking at an awkward fish. On some dt's the dorsal begins too close to the head resulting in a "sailfish" appearance. Some dt's have shorter bodies than desired. Again the betta appears awkward. Coupled with the genetic issues of breeding two dt's, you can see that there are issues when it comes to the dt tail trait. Sometimes when I'm speaking to betta friends, admiring their female or considering a male, the breeder often says. "She throws double tails or he's out of a dt male. It's difficult to establish a dt line since breeding two dt's is a no-no....but I know one old-time breeder that says this is nonsense and he breeds dt x dt but I bet he culls a lot of fry.

Here are some old and not very good pics of one of my fav females of all time "Bearette". Notice the width of her dorsal. Her lobes were nearly perfect. She had dt in her background and her brother and sister had great finnage.

[Ella3]

Thanks for the great description and pictures. I've been watching him since we transferred him out of the cup and into his temporary home. He is a bit awkward as you mentioned. I noticed that when he stops at the top of the tank to breathe, his lower body kind of sinks downward. He seems to be exploring and settling in, but do you think his double tail will cause health problems? He is small, but I thought that maybe he was young. He didn't seem any smaller than the others that were at the store.

Ella

[starlight]

There are no health issues that I know of related to dt's other than what I mentioned. When I speak of awkward, it is i terms of showing halfmoon bettas. When you do, you are going up against the best. A pretty betta is not the objective, having a betta that most closely matches the written standards that the group is judged by is everything. In this regard, body length, width of dorsal are areas where dt's are faulted. As a pet all bettas are beautiful and show-ring faults mean nothing.

Spade tail is just a shape variation of the veil tail. As far as I know it doesn't appear on bettas other than vt's and possibly plakats.

[Ella3]

I thought that you meant that the "scissor tail" would make him swim funny. He is swimming funny. Like I said, he kind of points his nose to the top of the tank and his body sinks downward. He will just stay like that for awhile. I'm really hoping that he is okay. He is small and I'm sure stressed from coming home from the store and getting a new home. He did eat a little, but has not been very active at all. I know all bettas are different, but the 3 other males I have are all very active and eat extremely well.

I appreciate the info. I agree that all bettas are beautiful. I don't care if they are show quality....just healthy. Hopefully I can post some pictures of him in the near future. BTW, we decided to name him "Edward Scissor Fins" ;D

Thanks again Starlight!

Ella

[Ella3]

Just a little update.

It's now Tuesday and he seems to be settling in pretty well. He quit swimming funny. He is eating very well. I think he must be pretty young because he is so small compared to my others. I think he is going to be fine though

Ella