Bettas terminology

If you're still confused with a bunch of bettas terminology, and searching the net doesn't really help you, here are some of them. The definition and meaning of these terms are not precise. These abbreviation, either invented, or stand for something that may have been used initially for different purposes, either way, they're commonly found in discussions about bettas.

HM = Halfmoon, D-shape tail long tail, 180 degree spread on caudal of your betta

VT = Veiltail, V-shape tail long tail, rounded with end of tail dropping down

CT = Crowntail, crown-like tail medium tail, with lots of spike and very uniform, all fins are spikey

HMCT = CT that has 180 degree spread

PK = Plakad, short-tail, rounded or spade-like shape sometimes

HMPK = Plakad with 180 degree spread

CTPK = mixed of PK and CT, spikes show up but usually not uniform on fins

SD = super delta, about 160 degree tail spread

D = delta, less than super delta spread

HMx = HM-geno, genotype from HM, but most will show up as SD or D, parentage has HM gene

HMF = female of HM, usually doesn't spread till 180 degree caudal, but this is considered acceptable for females

HMM = male of HM, has to spread to 180 degree minimum

BF = butterfly, edges part of the tail are transparant or have different colouration, usually uniformly white, transparant, or black.

reverse-BF = transparancy happens on the inner-part of the tail, the edges have standard colour
triband = multi-coloured betta, involving at least 3-bands of colours. the 3 colours form layers similar to rainbow.

bi-colour = betta with 2 colours where both colours share the majority, sometimes the colour mixed on the body too

multi = simply multiple colours in the fish, randomized. if there are only 2 colours, the fish can be called bi-colour

Some combinations of the above are very commonly found, for instance, you see people discussing CTF, female of CT. Other terms are more like "fancy" terms, invented from the twisted minds of some hobbyists, in association with anything they can imagine :) For instance, "apache", "thai flag", "skyhawk", "tiger". They are not official terms, nor they are agreed by other hobbyists, hence you'll notice these terms disappear as soon as they were introduced. Different combinations of colours can produce lots of terms, again these terms are not official nor easily remembered.

If you have more questions, shoot us email and we'll add to the above definitions. If you've got pictures, that would be better, nothing clearer than a picture !