Understanding the 3 IBC Plakat types
For the last 10 years Plakats or short-finned Betta splendens have become increasingly popular. They can be easier to maintain than long-finned Bettas, Halfmoons or Crowntails, and often have a more lively and aggressive deportment. They have also become very popular in shows where we are seeing more and more short-finned Bettas. Since 2005, the IBC standard describes three distinct types of Plakats. Many people struggle to understand the differences or recognize these 3 types. The fact that many Plakats imported from Thailand or Indonesia, although certainly very pretty, do not usually match the standards very well, is of no help. Fortunately we are seeing in competitions that the types of Plakats are better defined than they were a few years ago, which is evidence of the breeders good work. A term wich is often used but can be confusing is "HMPK" - Halfmoon Plakat - wich is not a standard term used by the IBC. Indeed, in the IBC standard, there are two types of Plakat with a 180 ° caudal spread, in the shape of a capital letter "D": the Show Plakat and the Halfmoon shortfin. The latter is sometimes called Shortmoon or abbreviated HMSF. Photos:
At left, Traditional Plakats . Center, Show Plakats. At right, Halfmoon Shortfins (Shortmoons). |
Traditional Plakat - Dorsal: of normal width, with a narrow base, and pops open like a japanese fan ("pompom" shape); - Anal: has an elongated point at the back: - Ventrals: long; - Caudal: preferably only primary branching (2 tips), but no more than secondary branching (4 tips). The caudal spread begins at an angle of 180° near the body, and the edges are rounded. - General form: asymmetrical (no mirror image between the dorsal and anal). Show Plakat - Dorsal: of normal width, with a narrow base, and pops open like a japanese fan ("pompom" shape); - Anal: has a point at the back: - Ventrals: long; - Caudal: secondary branching (4 tips) or more. The caudal spread is at an angle of 180° with straight edges, and a capital letter "D" shape. - General form: asymmetrical (no mirror image between the dorsal and anal). Halfmoon Shortfin (HMSF) - Dorsal: broad, and broad at its base; - Anal: rectangular or trapezoidal, no point; - Ventrals: short to moderate (but not stubby); - Caudal: secondary branching (4 tips) or more. The caudal spread is at an angle of 180° with straight edges, and a capital letter "D" shape. - General form: symmetrical (mirror-image between the dorsal and anal)., |
Note: The Show Plakats and Halfmoon Shortfins on these photos were photographed at shows, are not fully flaring and might have been tired after judging.
In "real life" these 4 fish had 180° spread and "D" shaped caudals. I chose them for comparison of the other fins and overall appearance.
In "real life" these 4 fish had 180° spread and "D" shaped caudals. I chose them for comparison of the other fins and overall appearance.
Quick and dirty comparison guide
DORSAL | CAUDAL | ANAL | VENTRALS | ||
TRADITIONAL PLAKAT | narrow base | begins at 180°, but | anal with long | long | |
pops open like | edges rounded | extended point | |||
a fan | branching: 2 tips preferred | ||||
4 tips maximum | |||||
SHOW PLAKAT | narrow base | 180° spread, straight edges | anal with | long | |
pops open like | shape of a letter "D" | extended point | |||
a fan | 4 tips or more | ||||
HALFMOON SHORTFIN | broad | 180° spread, straight edges | rectangular or | short to moderate | |
shape of a letter "D" | trapezoidal | (not stubby) | |||
4 tips or more | no point | ||||
Photo credits:
Black Traditional Plakat, breeder unknown, photo C. Pavia; Mustard-Gas Show Plakat, breeder and photo C. Pavia; Blue HMSF, breeder and photo Julien "Project901"
Red Traditionnal Plakat, breeder unknown, photo C. Pavia; Blue Show Plakat, breeder J.-M. Jeannerat, photo C. Pavia; Bicolor HMSF, breeder Sieg Illig, photo C. Pavia