There are many hobbyists that raise and breed Macropodus fish. There are a few documents available that discuss the various traits of each species. There are even fewer that offer a grading system for judging the aesthetics presented by each species and the required traits for scoring in regards to that grading system. While such grading systems are very useful, there are actually few competitions that concentrate on Macropodus species. Most are focused on Betta fish and similar. So while having a grading system and assigning rank or points to different body traits is useful, the most important goal for Macropodus breeders might be to understand the unique traits of each species, the aesthetics of those traits and the constructive blending of those traits when culling offspring, selecting breeding stock and developing hybrids.

 

The purpose of the ideas presented here is to familiarize the reader with;

1. the general qualities and traits that should be consistently present in all raised fish that are passed on to other breeders or placed into the market for sale;

2. the traits particular to each species and the aesthetics that trait gives each fish;

3. the deformities that should be culled for when developing a specific line, either a true species line or a hybrid line;

4. the advantages of selective breeding to promote vital, healthy and balanced fish and bloodlines.

 

General Characteristics

1. Overall appearance

The overall quality of any particular M. species is determined by its physical condition, deportment, size, overall balance and color. While males are usually the more aggressive and display more often, a superior, healthy and viral female will also display often and show aggression when bullied by a male.

 

• Physical Form and Condition - Condition refers to a complete anatomy. A superior fish needs to be in good condition, in good health, well nourished and radiate vitality. The major components of anatomy are:

• Body Shape including topline, forehead, gill areas, belly, etc. This varies with specie. Some have longer, slender bodies. Others have plumper, stockier bodies. Fins also vary between species – tail shape most major. Topline also differs between species. The important point here is to have consistency in your stock and breed for balance and appearance that captures your aesthetic.

• Finnage including fully developed appendages, strong and properly formed and spaced rays and balanced length. The finnage of a superior fish is determined by the form & dimension of the unpaired (the caudal fin, dorsal fin and anal fin) and the paired (ventral fins and pectoral fins) fins. The ideal dimensions of the particular fin differ among the different fin varieties and will be discussed under individual specie trait discussions.

1. Caudal fin - The caudal fin, or tail fin, extends from the end of the caudal peduncle. The caudal fin is used for propulsion. The ideal dimensions of the caudal fin differ among the different fin varieties.

2. Dorsal fin - The dorsal fin is located on the posterior dorsal surface of the fish. The dorsal fin serves to protect the fish against rolling and assists in sudden turns. The ideal dimensions of the dorsal fin differ among the different fin varieties.

3. Anal fin - The anal fin is located on the ventral surface behind the anus. The anal fin is used to stabilize the fish while swimming.

4. Ventral fins - The ventral fins are important in swimming and maintaining balance in the water. The shape of the ventral fins mimics the blade of a knife with the cutting edge directed backwards. The ventrals are equal in length and size and run down into a single tip. During flaring the ventral fins are directed forward and ideally should not cross each other.

5. Pectoral fins - The pectoral fins control the up-and-down motion as well as the side-to-side motion and rolling of the body. The pectoral fins can be held close to the body to increase speed by reducing drag, or they can be extended to increase drag and serve as a brake. The pectoral fins are equal in length and size.

• Scales that are evenly patterned and complete without deformities.

• Color depending on the species or hybrid. Generally color should be even and radiant.

2. Deportment - refers to the behavior of the fish. This is best judged after the fish is accustom to the the tank and tank mates. For male fish - A healthy, viral fish ideally presents itself by actively swimming throughout the whole tank (up and down, forward and backward). The fish will occasionally flare when encountering other fish or just as an act of stretching as it moves around the tank. Some individuals will flare aggressively to all tank mates, but usually flaring between males happens more often when they are placed in pairs in a tank and are roughly the same size. This is especially true if they are not usually kept together. Fish that are familiar sometimes have already developed a pecking order and don’t actively and immediately flare in response each other. More often the dominant fish of the two will muscle the other around and rub and push over it in tight spaces to show its dominance. I have had a few individuals that will pursue and flare at all inhabitants in the tank, but I find that rare. In any case, even if the fish is not aggressive and does not flare continually, it should show vigor in movement and alertness when placed in a new tank.

3. Size - length of body including fins.

4. Balance – A superior fish should be balanced in girth and finnage. In general, this means that the finnage has to be in harmony with the body in such a way that it does not interfere with the movement and swimming abilities of the fish. Also, the fish is proportioned in a way that displays an pleasing symmetry when either moving or stationary.

5. Vitality and Strength - As mentioned above, a superior fish should be able to move with vigor and be able to hold its finnage well. When stopped, the body and fins should remain horizontal and buoyant. Fish with inferior strength rock back or their fins collapse whenever they stop. A superior fish not only has a well developed body and fins, but also is able to carry the weight of the fins easily while moving and flaring.