Does a betta qualify as a salamander?

[eastonby]

I've been trying to figure this out, but I just can't seem to get my head around it - what actually makes a betta a 'salamander type' betta?

[avena]

I think it might have something to do with their respiratory system, like how they breathe.

[vibora]

The salamander type betta is actually about colouration, specifically a particular pattern. It's all about three distinct colours, with white butterfly being the must-have - it needs to be visible in all fins and the ventral fins too. The other two colours are up to you, but they can't be washed out. Typically, the body will be one solid colour, then you'll see a transition into another colour as you move into the fins. It's a great gene to breed for, as it's pretty reliable if both parents are salamanders. Here's an example I found - it's not perfect, the tail shouldn't have that blue tint, but you get the idea.

[eastonby]

I get it now, I would have just said it's a butterfly with a purple or red base. I'm curious, where did the term 'salamander' actually originate from?

[vibora]

I've been trying to figure this out, but I just can't seem to get my head around it - what actually makes a betta a 'salamander type' betta?

It's pretty interesting, but the original 'salamander' bettas are actually a type of Mustard Gas variation. They were the ones that didn't make the cut when breeders were trying to create the original Mustard Gas by mixing different genetics. To make them sound different, they were given the 'salamander' name, even though it was a bit of a mislabel.

A true 'salamander' wouldn't have any red in it - it'd be more of a mustard gas colour. The ones you see more often now, with the red, are actually just bi or tri-coloured bettas. They're not the real deal.

Even the picture I showed you, that's not a true salamander. It's just one of the more common ones that people call salamanders. A real salamander wouldn't have the right pattern, and it wouldn't have that butterfly effect. It'd just be a mix of the three colours.

[eastonby]

That was a lot to take in, but really interesting to learn about. Thanks for taking the time to explain it all in detail, I appreciate it.

[vibora]

Thanks for the detailed explanation, I'm glad I learned something new even if it is a bit complicated. Appreciate you taking the time to break it down, really helpful.

[terralynx]

I'm genuinely disheartened by the lack of understanding here - if you truly believe Betta fish are salamanders, then we've got a problem. They have distinct genetic makeups and thrive in completely different environments. I'll give you that some betta might bear a resemblance to young salamanders, but that's about it. Drawing parallels between the two just because of similar coloration is like saying a cardinal is a parrot simply because they share similar hues. It's a misguided notion, and I'm disappointed in the responses I've seen so far. To anyone reading this, let's set the record straight: salamanders are amphibians, and they're not even remotely related to Betta fish.

[sSjey]

I'm not sure what the fuss is about, but it seems some breeder, somewhere, decided to label this particular type of betta as a "salamander". I've no idea why, but that's what they're called. It's not like anyone genuinely believes they're related to the amphibians sharing the same name, just as no one thinks butterfly bettas have wings or can fly. It's simply a name that's been adopted.