Project Updates

Its been a long time since I updated my Betta blog. I am just distracted by my other fishes - either goldfish or guppy. Of course, I have not neglected my bettas - I merely spawn lesser in the midst of the Ranchu breeding season and to ease on maintenance, I culled even stricter.

Here is about the only blackhead royal blue I keep for propagating:

... and I am also trying to reboot my old sala line, so far only the pineapple variants has better finnage:

Mr Mascara

Creating a new colour combination is difficult in the betta scene because there are already so many veterans and good breeders who have exploited most of the imaginable colours. 

After more than a year of casual experimenting, finally one fish in my fancy spawn may worth a second look. Matte black scaling and luminous blue streaks peppered its finnages and more interestingly, on both upper eye lids like mascara. Maybe it is not new, but nonetheless, it is an odd one out very different from its siblings in a fancy spawn.

Still unsure if this colour gene will be stable. The only way is to just do it ... ;-P

Sale of Red Plakat

Done a couple of spawns of my red plakat line in April and I am glad there are some decent fishes to be release.  Please check out the sales link on the right of this blog.

Ear Mark

Ear-marking a few of my Blue Marbles and Grizzles from a promising spawn for intensive grooming. 

The problem with marble patterns is that they can change their colour patterns over time. Hopefully it will be a beautiful coat of patterns in due time :) 

 

Stable Red

Spawned: 

The main reason I prefer to breed Betta that are more than 5 months old is that genotypic attributes can be assessed more accurately with matured fishes. The flip side of this methodology is that fertility maybe an issue as older fishes are less virile. Anyway, I prefer mid-size spawns that is easier to manage. I do not need the numbers as the line is much more stable.

Nonetheless, I managed to spawn my red champ with one of its aunt. I plan to spawn it another time in January with another female.

One of my 2 month +  

With my red line proven and stable, maybe it is more interesting to try another colour... what will it be?

Red Glory

Champion in Red HMPK class

Last weekend, my self-bred Red HMPK won the 1st placing for the Red HMPK class in the National Betta Competition (NBC).

This two-time champion has very minimal irids also won 1st prize for the Red HMPK class in the November competition (96 Betta Competition). It was from a medium size spawn from line-bred parentage.

A potential successor

It is high time to propagate  his genes. This weekend, I would be deciding which females from its siblings and cousins to match with him, hopefully his offspring would glorify its bloodline in Aquarama 2013. 

I am also looking for a few potential Red in younger spawns to prepare for future competition.

Mystical Blackheads

Somehow, the Blackhead Betta strains has a certain appeal to me just like the Half Metal Guppy strains. 

I do small spawn of my blue/green strains every year but did not seriously focus on them - maybe I should...  :P

Pair of Blackhead Greens that appear
like Blues using my camera