Cambodian Betta: Breeding And Recognition

The betta fish is one of the most attractive and showy tank fish. The betta fish is without a doubt one of the most popular aquarium fish, with its elongated multicolored body and dazzling colored fins. Among its 70 different varieties, the Cambodian betta may have the most unique color combination.

Betta fish are said to have over 70 different varieties, each differing from the other on the basis of color, size, and temperament. If we only look at the color factor, the Cambodian betta fish will surely amaze you. It is said to be a bi-colored fish which means that its whole body is of a constant color and its fins are also of another solid color. Identifying a Cambodian betta fish is easy. However, the challenging task is to breed a Cambodian betta fish.

About The Cambodian Betta Fish

As stated earlier, a Cambodian betta fish is a bi-colored fish. By bi-colored fish, we mean that the body of the betta fish will be of one solid color and the fins will be of a different color. Bi-colored betta fish may be of two types – light bi-colored betta fish and dark bi-colored betta fish.

As the name suggests, a light bi-colored betta fish contains a body of light color. The fins are usually of a darker shade than that of the body. However, this might not always be the case. Sometimes, light-colored fins are also acceptable and the fish may be considered as a light bi-colored betta fish.

On the other hand, a dark bi-colored betta fish has a dark but solid body color. Relative to the dark body, the fins of the betta fish must be brighter in color. Although a dark-colored body and brightly colored fins are characteristic features of a dark bi-colored betta fish, contrasting colors may also be noticed.

When we talk about a Cambodian betta fish, the bi-colored pattern includes pale pink, flesh-colored body, and fins that are red in texture. However, other fin colors may also be noticed in the case of a Cambodian betta fish.

An important factor while looking for a Cambodian fighting fish is that its body color must always be pale pink or flesh-colored. The color of the betta fins may vary but the body color must be constant throughout different Cambodian bettas.

An Ideal Cambodian Betta Fish

As mentioned earlier, an ideal Cambodian betta fish must have a pale pink or flesh-colored body. The color of the fins of the betta fish is usually red. However, the color of the fins is not the deciding factor in determining a perfect Cambodian betta fish. The fin color of the Cambodian fighting fish may vary.

Breeding an ideal Cambodian betta fish is a challenging task as such selective breeding with other betta fish may result in colored lines in the Cambodian, thereby, making their body color impure and defeating the whole purpose.

Breeding Cambodian fish may cause black, red, yellow, and iridescent colored lines in the betta fish. To avoid this, breeders need to use more than just a single gene. Therefore, the Cambodian betta gene may cause a red betta to appear paler in color as the gene eliminates the black color.

Even after such careful breeding, black spots may appear on the bodies of old Cambodians. These black spots are caused due to the presence of melanophores in the intermediate zone. Black spots are usually noticed in Cambodian bettas that are older than 18 months.

Breeding A Cambodian Betta Fish

When attempting to create a line of perfect Cambodians, you should start with a male betta who is as pale as possible. A light, pale male Cambodian with no black or red patches on the body is occasionally crossed with a particularly clean-bodied female Cambodian.

This type of breeding betta fish may give you near to perfect Cambodians that are characterized by pale pink and flesh-colored bodies and fins with a reddish texture. Although, the color of the fins may vary from betta to betta.

Many people are of the opinion that Cambodians also come in green, black, and blue body colors. However, experts believe that the purest form of a Cambodian has a pale pink or flesh-colored body with red or violet-red fins.

While the green, blue, and black Cambodians too have pale bodies and colored fins, they do not act as a true Cambodian betta phenotypically or genotypically. They are more suitable to be categorized under marble or pastel betta and not the Cambodian head.

When selecting breeding stock, keep in mind to choose the right pair of male and female betta fish. Be aware of fish with a very pale body that also has a pale fin color. These fish normally have the opaque gene, although they may also have a pastel influence.

Thus, cross-breeding different varieties of Cambodians may also affect the offspring. For instance, a Cambodian male mated with a multicolor genotype will produce a 50% multicolor and 50% Cambodian genotypical offspring.

Thus, to get a 100% pure Cambodian, you will need to mate a pale-colored male Cambodian with a clean-bodied female Cambodian. Any other cross-breeding between different betta types may result in multicolor genotypical spawns.

FAQs Related To The Cambodian Betta Fish

Final Thoughts

Thus, a Cambodian fighting fish is characterized by a flesh-colored or pale pink body with red-colored fins. Although, the color of the fins may vary. You need to mate a male and a female Cambodian to get a pure Cambodian betta fish.