Dragon Bettta

[Georgia_ofthejungle]

I have the chance to get a dragon Betta when I order all my fish next year. I was wondering if they have any extra issues? Somewhere I read they are prone to being blind?

 

[Paradise3]

They are exactly like any other betta The only thing to watch for is if the dragon scales start growing over their eyes. I've not had this problem but I've only owned two dragon scales, however, I'm pretty sure the scales will grow over the eyes when all the other scales grow if they are going to so you should know which will and which won't

 

[Georgia_ofthejungle]

An also, is the dragon bit a type of bett, or a colour? Or a marking?

 

[Blondielovesfish]

Dragon means they have thicker scales
 
The only problem I've heard of is the scales growing over their eyes, making them partially or fully blind. 
 
Just curious, where are you ordering your fish from? If it is from another country, you may have quarantine issues

 

[Georgia_ofthejungle]

Dragon means they have thicker scales
 
The only problem I've heard of is the scales growing over their eyes, making them partially or fully blind. 
 
Just curious, where are you ordering your fish from? If it is from another country, you may have quarantine issues

Nope, from a place in Palmerston North

 

[Blondielovesfish]

Uh, nice
 
Be careful with the chosen courier, as I've heard of many deliveries going missing, particularly with NZ Courier.

 

[Paradise3]

Yep BLF got it right on there Dragon just means thicker scales
For example, here's my old non-dragon PK boy, Hades

 
And here's my current Dragon Scale boy, Ori He's HMPK

 
(Photo's re-sized so that they didn't take over the thread lol)

 

[Essjay]

This shows what can happen to dragon bettas. His other eye did have a tiny amount not covered. I had to be very careful not to move anything in his tank and to put his food in exactly the same place every time.

 

[Paradise3]

That's a great photo showing what can happen essjay, sorry it happened though

 

[Wildbetta]

Along with the scaling covering the eyes, dragon bettas have a much higher incidence of developing tumors.  The blindness is something that is easily dealt with and bettas can live years without sight. The tumors on the other hand do tend to be fatal in the long run although it might take the a while to get that bad.  Just something to think about when purchasing dragon bettas. 

 

[Blondielovesfish]

Along with the scaling covering the eyes, dragon bettas have a much higher incidence of developing tumors.  The blindness is something that is easily dealt with and bettas can live years without sight. The tumors on the other hand do tend to be fatal in the long run although it might take the a while to get that bad.  Just something to think about when purchasing dragon bettas. 

 
Just curious, where abouts do they normally get tumors and how obvious are they?

 

[Essjay]

After the white and red dragon in the pic I posted above, I swore I'd never get another dragon. But then I saw this gorgeous blue plakat dragon. He only lived 6 months. He too was beginning to go blind, though that's not what killed him. I never found out what the lumps were but I sterilised the tank to be on the safe side and fishless cycled the new filter media before getting another betta.
 
If anyone knows what these lumps were, I would like to know. The big one started a couple of weeks after I got him as a lifted scale as if he'd caught himself, but it got worse and worse. The lump was always blue on the outside but I don't know if that was just because of his dragon scaling. After it got quite big, it would collapse very so often leaving a greyish white goo visible. I took the pic a few days after it collapsed, when it was beginning to fill out again.
Was it tumors or lymphocystis?

 

[Georgia_ofthejungle]

Thanks for all this infor everyone, I have decided I will just go for a half moon Betta but feel free to continue discussing on this topic!