TankBud

Variety of Betta

Doubletail betta

Betta splendens

One of 8 varieties of Betta splendens · See all varieties →

FreshwaterFish

Doubletail betta (Betta splendens)

Varieties · Betta splendens

See all 8 →

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–86°F
22–30°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
3 in
7.5 cm
Minimum tank
7 gal
25 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Own kind
One male per tank
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Beginner
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Very common
Family
Osphronemidae

Overview

Look for two clearly separated caudal lobes and a dorsal fin nearly as tall as the anal, since both come from the same change. Quality varies: good fish have even lobes, weak ones have one lobe much larger or a kink at the tail base. The body is shorter and thicker than a single tail and swim bladder trouble runs higher, so gentle flow suits it. Sold as doubletail or DT, stacked with any color name.

In the wild

Doubletails are an old domestic mutation, already in show stock before halfmoon work began. The doubletail melano male that Rajiv Masillamoni crossed into Guy Delaval's stock stands behind the first halfmoon line. No originator is recorded, and the form appears to have surfaced more than once in long finned stock. It has never been found in wild populations.

Good to know

A single recessive gene splits the caudal into two lobes. Two doubletail parents give an all doubletail spawn, though breeders usually avoid that pairing because deformities run high in the fry, while a cross to a single tail gives carriers that look normal and pass it on. The same gene widens the dorsal until it nearly matches the anal fin, which is why breeders cross it into single tail lines. It also shortens the body, and doubletails show more spinal kinks and swim bladder trouble than other tail types.

Did you know

Breeders with no interest in split tails still keep a doubletail on hand. Crossing one into a single tail line is the standard way to get a taller dorsal fin. The split tail then sits hidden in the carriers.

Common questions

Is a Doubletail betta a different species from the Betta?

No. A Doubletail betta is a variety of the Betta, Betta splendens, and it wants the same tank, water and food as the species.

What size tank does a Doubletail betta need?

A Doubletail betta needs at least 7 gal (25 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

How big does a Doubletail betta get?

An adult Doubletail betta reaches about 3 in (7.5 cm).

Related species