Mutations occur randomly and cannot be controlled. If the mutation is beneficial in some way, its genetic makeup will be passed on; creating new traits and eventually new species. In nature, this is evolution. When we choose which traits are desirable, this is called selective breeding.

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Click images for original sources.

Dumbo ( dm )

Dumbo (elephant ear) is a mutation that augments the pectoral fins. It initially popped up randomly and can appear in lines that otherwise contained no dumbo ancestors. It can be bred into any tail type. It's a recessive gene and largely popular!

Dumbo Asymmetrical Halfmoon Plakat

Dumbo Halfmoon

Dumbo Delta

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Giant ( G )

A giant betta is a fish that is at least 2.5-3 inches long, excluding fins. Giants are the result of selectively breeding the largest fish together to get progressively larger offspring. When bred to normal sized bettas they produce half-giants, which grow to be larger then normal but not quite giant. Halfmoon plakats are most commonly available on the market, but other tail-types can be giants as well. Including tail length, veiltail giants are the longest of all.

Giant Asymmetrical Halfmoon Plakat

Size Comparison

Giant Veiltail

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Deformities

These mutations appear for any number of reasons, though often line-breeding/inbreeding gets all the blame. Sometimes a deformity arises when a fish inherits two copies of the same allele, such is the case with doubletails. In any case, fish with such mutations should never be bred. The short body in particular has various photo's online, each with a different body length and some even exhibiting an upturned face; similar to a balloon molly.

Bent Spine

Short Body