Colours

All the information provided has been compiled from resources and research, which is accessible via the resources page it is used with respect, and in aid of educating and accurately describing the vast pallet of the betta splenden, based on show definitions.

The representation of colour in the betta splenden is a result of the cells present in the skin.

Different layers show different colours, and the strengths of each colour determine the final result:

Yellow – Fourth layer (xanthophore cells)

Red – Third layer (erythrophore cells)

Black – Second layer (melanophore cells)

Iridescent – Top layer (guanophore cells) Also known as the Blue Layer

Translucent "cellophane" & White

cellophane SD

Cellophane bettas are often crossed with solid colours, or used in conjunction with marble betta to produce more pattern.

The Opaque metallic pure white is quite a difficult to produce and often results in spawns with colour washes.

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metallic white HM

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Yellow 

Yelow Butterfly with marble

Yellow is also known as non-red as the fish should demonstrate no red, while the lowest layer of skin shows full yellow.

The colour is never as bright as the iridescent or reds as it is sitting on the lowest layer of skin, beneath clear colours.

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Yellow

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Orange / "NR" Non Red 

A very recent colour in Betta breeding, the Orange betta is preferred with no black scales, and carries a gene called NR-2.

Continual breeding of orange lines can become washed out and require the addition of some Cambodian colour to maintain the strength of colour.

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Orange (Sunray tail)

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Red / Extended Red / Bicolour

Copper Red Devil

True red demonstrates an opaque deep red over the body, fins and tail - and ideally noe iridescence (seen at the base of the tail on the fish pictured right)

Red bi-colour fish such as the copper "devil" (pictured left) are different to "red wash" as the colour is intentional, and the bi-colour pattern is demonstrated equally in the dorsal caudal and anal fins.

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Extended red

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Steel & Royal Blue

St(Right) is a combination of a normal blue and mutated iridescent blue gene, neither of which are dominant.

Crossing a turquoise with a steel blue will create a spawn of 100% Royal Blue.

The Steel Blue colour is a result of a mutated iridescent turquoise, and blue gene. It is also described as "gunmetal"

Both these blues are susceptible to "washes" of red and other colours - these are not as desirable in the show ring as solid colours are.

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Turquoise / Metallic Green

The difference in "turquoise"  ranges from bright blue to a true green. Both are a result of "Spread Iridescence" which is a dense layer of metallic green.

Within the show classes fish with a more green than blue appearance are preferred. 

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Copper / Gold / Metallics

Betta Imbellis

The metallic (Right) are a result of crossbreeding the Betta Splenden out to the Betta Imbellis.

(Wild type - Left)

This species demonstrate more iridescence to compensate for the muddier waters. The "Copper" betta is a blanket term to describe colours ranging from silver - gold - copper - purple metallics.

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Platinum silver

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Black Orchid

Copper Orchid (aka tiger)

Shown as Dark Bi-colour, the Orchid is a black betta that demonstrates coloured iridescence in the tail and on the body.

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True black orchid

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Melano

The melano black is a mutant gene that demonstrates black coverage over the whole fish.

This is a recessive gene and when crossed with another fish that hasn't got the melano gene, results  in multi-colours.

The female melano is infertile. (Pictured above)

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Melano

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Mustard Gas 

Copper Mustard Gas

Originally Bred by Jude Als, the Mustard Gas has evolved into a term used loosely to describe yellow fins and dark bodies.

Due to the ambiguity of the term these fish are shown in bi-colour classes.

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Mustard Gas

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Dragon / Metallic

Green and red metallic

Dragon Betta can be any colour underneath, but will demonstrate a thick white metallic cover over most of the body.

These thick scales of lighter colour take over 3 months to develop on the fish.(Right)

Versus the metallic gene that shows an iridescent coloured layer through the body and fins of the fish. (above) 

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Red and black dragon

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Marble & Panda

Panda

Multi-coloured marble crown tail (pictured right) is one example of many marble combinations, it is occasionally referred to as grizzled or monster.

Above could be classed as a marble butterfly copper orchid, but features a white face with black eyes, an unusual feature known as panda.

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Marble

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Butterfly & Lace

Butterfly

The butterfly ideally demonstrates a clear separation of colour from the edge of all fins and tail with 50% coverage of each colour, demonstrated on the dorsal, caudal and anal fins equally.

This is a dominant gene, with variable results and now seen in nearly all colours.

Lace is a common term used to describe a fish with clear (non pigmented) detail, often at the ends of the tail and fins. (right)

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Lace butterfly

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Multicolour & Tri-colour

Bicolour Blue and Peach

The fish on the right would be considered a tri-band butterfly, demonstrating three clear colours on nearly all fins and tali.

To the left is a multicolour fish showing both blue and peach. (Note that the image has been edited to saturate colour)

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Mustard Gas Butterfly / Tricolour

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Lavender & Salamander

Technically these are both Lavender.

The discussion over the correct usage of salamander can be read at the reference from betty splendens: here

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Monster/Marble & Devil

Blue and White marble Monster

To the left is a Multi-colour marble.

The right depicts a "Devil" this is a common terms for fish with red to black fins and tail.This is technically a bi-colour fish with metallic spread.

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Red devil (with metallic