:H So how do I go about figuring out what kinds of genes my betta has? Do I breed it with another of the same color and physical characteristics?

Glad to meet you Nutty. I pmd one of the people who breeds bettas and knows a lot about genetic makeup . She should be getting back to you

Thanks! I appreciate the help! :D

Hi nutty :welcome . Yes, we can identity in somewhat but not 100% in the first betta until you keep breed at least 2 generations or three, then the line is getting more to what you aiming for.
If I were you, first I would like to know where the bettas came from. The breeder would tells you. If you get it at petco or petmart, those are pretty much mixed gene and I personally won't using them to breed unless it is an :Ohlalala .
Next is, took a picture and put it up and we can help you to look at it and see what colors are they, what type, what fins are they, and how many rays in each fins he got. From there, we can identify the type what he might carry. We can suggesting what female to choice too.
Before you breed, you do have to asking yourself what expectation you want and is this betta worth to try or not.
When breeding, try to get as close color as the other betta is.
I hope this help you. :T

I'd be more than happy to show you a betta that is on its way from Bangkok this weekend, but I haven't been able to figure out how to get the picture from my computer to this page. :blink:

Nutty. Check out this post. It will guide you how to post pictures in here. :)

http://z7.invisionfree.com/Uniquebettas/in...p?showtopic=525

Okay, this is my fourth try at uploading. From what I've learned on this site already the spread on his caudal is poor. He has dramatic coloring though. That's what initially caught my eye.

:WOW: :WOW: :WOW: :WOW: :WOW:
I did it! It only took me about 4 hours!
Any way, this little guy is so different. It is hard to see in this picture but the tips of all of his fins are dark gray/soft black.

Finally you got it. GREAT! Yes, you can make it bigger size too.
I can see you got a beautiful color of purple gas mustard butterfly crowntail. Yes, this is very consistant color and sure you will get the same result if you get another sibling female too like him to breed. You still can get another outcross and have the same color like the male. I would choosing the crowntail female that will spread the tail like hm or even the gene that is great spread tail. This will going to fix the tail problems in the future. Usually, when you raise the babies, you do need to keep them practice flaring.
As for crowntail, I really like to see 2 rays branches out of their tail. I think yours is 2 rays if I am right. Those are the best! Also for the gene, the best is the tail can spead wider. Therefore, when you get those bettas, do observe their character are they active or not. You can tell their behavior how their react. If active and love to swim, those are great to breed keep down the line. If not, you still can breed one more time and then pick the best active to outcross with another purple gas mustard line from another breeder.
As for crowntail, soft water is the best. I would suggest using banana leaf and indian almond leaf together in the water when raising the frys. Those will solften their tail fins that will let them straight the spread tail wider. Also the IAL will protect the skin and their fins too. Another thing you need to remember is getting a bigger tank for each fry male. They need more room to swim to get straighter crown rays. Else they will curls and look like perm. :) So far that is all I can think about. I will add when my mind is working again. LOL :welcome

Thankyou for the wonderful words of wisdom!
:thankssign

You are welcome!! :C :C2 :T :C2 :C

That is a VERY pretty betta. I love his colors :Ohlalala

Thanks :)

Your welcome! :) ^_^

Gorgeous Fishy!!! :OMG: The colors are awesome!!! :OMG: You can improve the caudle spread in future generations, but that color would be hard to improve!!! :WOW: :WOW:

Has he arrived yet?

Yes, he is home. He's a spunky little guy too! He's a lot of fun to watch. The one thing I'm concerned about though is his blue isn't as intense. It might be the lighting. The orange is briliant and the smokey tips on all his tips show up fine. He looks good and healthy. He can blow good nests too! I tried telling him he should wait until one of the girls are ready! You know how it is controling those teenage hormones! :OO With out a doubt, his personality is richer than any of the other 11 bettas I have! He has the sweets for an orange dragon halfmoon. I'd like to wait and find a suitable female to work on the tail and retain those colors. The breeder didn't have quite what I was hoping for, nor have I been able to find any elsewhere. :( Thanks for the complements though!