In Thailand, there are two types of Bettas that people keep as a hobby.  One type is the short fin Betta splendens or Plakat Morh, the other is the long fin type we call Plakat Cheen.   Most westerners are familiar with the long fin Betta splendens.  With their beauty and grace the long fin spreads its colorful fins like an angel’s dress when it tries to attract other Bettas.  Long fin Betta splendens were a major part of Thai livestock exportation around the world many years ago, also known as “Siamese fighting-fish.”  The Thais however, favor the short fin Betta or Plakat Morh (Pla Morh for short) which means: biting fish in the earthen pot.  The charms of Pla Morh are many, they come in dark multicolors and are very active while at the same time Pla Morh are easy to look after.  They are also very protective and aggressive, and display distinct fighting skill by nature.

Siamese Fighting-Fish developed from wild Bettas that the farmer caught in the rice fields or natural water sources with calm water and floating plants.  The main reason Betta fish were developed was for gambling in games after the hard work in the rice field was done.  In the past, we do not breed for colors or for show.  Rather we breed for shape, strong scales, and fighting style.  Pla Morh in Thailand nowadays has been crossbred with other lines such as Cambodian, Malaysian, and Burmese, so now it is difficult to distinguish which one is which. Currently we breed long fin and short fin Betta splendens for export, serious hobbyists, and for show, not just fighting (although some do.)

The most challenging aspect of breeding Pla Morh is how to develop the fishes’ stamina and make them lasting winners.  The serious breeders will only consider the winner of the fight to be chosen for breeding.  They may even refuse to breed the winner with unknown females.  The breeder has to select appropriate females that will suit the winner.  The criteria for coupling the fish is determined depending on the assumptions of the breeder, the variations of these assumptions are the basis of the fascinating dialog at the Pla Morh hobbyists meetings.  The breeders then finalize their theories by challenging opponents and fighting their fish.  This is the life cycle of developing Betta splendens in Thailand.  The purpose of selective breeding is to produce reputable fish consistently.  After mating, the breeder will look after the fry for seven months.  He will select only the best fish in the batch to bottle, preparing them either to show or to fight.  Thai breeders believe that the outcome of the breeding whether good or bad is LUCK alone.  If one batch comes out good, the rest are also good.

The following steps are the basic interventions in the process of moving the selected fish from the pond to the bottle:

                        

 

1. The first rule is always to make sure that the fish come from the best of bloodlines.  Good fighters will always convey good shape, bright colors, smart manner....etc.

2. Selection of the best fish should be done anywhere from 7 months up to 8 months of age.

3. Keep the fish in an earth pot, 6 inches high and 10 inches wide, fill the pot half way with clean water.

4. Put dry banana leaf in the pot about one foot in length and six inches wide. Leave it in the pot for 10 days until the water turns into a light brown color, in Thai we call this Mark Pla which translates roughly to “Sabbath of the Fish.”

5. Feed the fish with 8-12 mosquito larvae a day. This should be at the same time every day. Keep the fish in a dark and silent place.

6. Feed the fish that way about 10 days.

7. After 10 days transfer the fish to a bottle with prepared water. In order to prepare tap water just be sure to leave it out for 3 days. Put a small floating plant in the bottle for fish bedding.

8. You should find your fish looking like an angel. He will have bright and dark colors; he will be stronger and more alert with full fins. Be very careful not to place the bottle in any direct light sources.

9. Actually, I use steps 2 - 7 to cure my sick fish and I have found that this gives me the best result.

 

  precha@plakatthai.com siamesecyber@hotmail.com