Hello loyal betta fish hobbyists of Yuin Betta Fish! Having a betta fish with vibrant colors and beautifully flowing fins in your home aquarium certainly provides its own satisfaction. However, for most keepers, the ultimate satisfaction is not merely raising them, but bringing their champion into the contest arena and taking home the winning trophy.
Entering a betta fish contest cannot be done carelessly. Your beloved pet fish might look stunning under your bedroom light, but will it be able to compete with hundreds of other contestants at the judging table? In Indonesia, one of the official references often used as a guideline in ornamental betta fish competitions is the Indonesian National Standard (SNI), alongside international standards set by organizations such as the International Betta Congress (IBC).
Before registering your beloved betta for the nearest competition, let’s break down the crucial preparations and judging criteria that must be understood so your fish meets champion standards.
1. Understanding Contest Categories and Classes
The most fundamental first step is registering the fish in the correct category. Contest organizers usually divide bettas based on their fin type and color pattern. A mistake in choosing the class, such as entering a Halfmoon type into the Plakat class, will result in a fatal outcome as the fish is immediately disqualified before judging begins. Make sure you accurately recognize the anatomy and variety of your betta.
2. Body Shape and Proportions
In any judging standard, body shape holds a massive scoring point. An ideal contest betta must have a sturdy, solid, and proportional body shape. The back should not curve or hunch excessively, unless it is a characteristic feature of a certain variety. The caudal peduncle must look strong and thick, indicating that the fish has good propulsion when swimming.
3. Health and Fighting Spirit (Vigour)
A visually beautiful fish will lose points if it looks lethargic in the judging jar. Judges pay close attention to the fish’s mental state and activity level. A good contest betta must show a good response when seeing the judge or a testing mirror (flaring). The operculum (gill cover) opening must be wide, and the fins must erect perfectly without any folded or clamped parts. In addition, ensure the fish’s body is free from congenital physical defects, fighting wounds, or disease symptoms such as ich and fin rot.
4. Fin Health and Perfection
Depending on the type, fin perfection is the crown for a betta fish. For the Halfmoon type, the tail spread must form a perfect semicircle or 180 degrees with sharp and neat fin edges. Meanwhile, for the Plakat type, the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins must have a harmonious size balance. The judges will carefully check for any broken fin rays, torn fins, or abnormal web growth.
5. Color Quality and Pattern (Coloration)
The color aspect is judged based on clarity, sharpness, and pigment density. Colors must not look faded or dull. For multi-color or koi type bettas, the boundaries between one color and another must be sharp and clean without any ‘bleeding’ or color smudges staining the body. The cleaner and more contrasting the fish’s color, the higher the score given by the judging team.
Preparation for a contest is not just about evaluating the fish on the D-day, but a process of consistent daily care. Train the fish’s mentality routinely using a mirror for a few minutes every day so it gets used to ‘flaring’ without feeling stressed when at the judging table. Also, pay attention to water quality and high-quality nutrition to maximize its growth and fin color brilliance.
That concludes this guide on contest preparation and judging criteria for betta fish. Hopefully, this article from Yuin Betta Fish can help your champion reach the highest podium in the next competition. Keep up the enthusiasm in caring for your beloved ornamental fish!