The Betta’s color is produced by pigment cells (chromatophores) in the skin. In the wild, coloration may help camouflage a fish from predators or may advertise its presence to potential mates. Wild Bettas do not possess the vibrant colors (bright red, lime green, royal blue) of their captive-bred counterparts. Fanciers have selectively bred Bettas to achieve fish with a wide range of colors and long, flowing fins. The males will develop much brighter colors than the females, and they exploit their bright coloration in mating displays designed to attract and impress females.
The Betta’s chromatophores occur in successive layers within the skin. To produce a Betta of a specific color, the other colors layered on top must first be stripped away through selective breeding to expose the desired color beneath. The top color is blue; next is red, then black, and finally yellow.
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