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Module 1: Basic concepts about genetics

We will study basic concepts about genetics to understand what we will cover in the following modules. Concepts such as gene, DNA, genetic trait, chromosome, gametes, locus, allele genes, genotype, phenotype, homozygosity, heterozygosity and other concepts will be addressed.

Module 2: The iridescent layer

We will study how color processes occur in bettas, which biochemical elements are needed. We will also discuss the theoretical model of colors in bettas. We will address all existing traits today about iridescent colors.

Module 3: The black layer

What are cambodia blond bettas, differences in the different actions of these genes in the phenotypes of iridescent and/or pigmented bettas. We will study the size of the melanophores that result in the black lace and melano phenotypes. We will understand why you get large percentages of multicolored fish when working with black bettas. Necessary care in selecting of breeders. Study of superblacks through different types of melanophores. We will also learn about the marble trait, its effect on litters and the difficulty of eliminating it.

Module 4: The red and yellow layers

Know the extended and red loss traits and their behavior in the litters, control of the non-red trait, such as yellow, pineapple, chocolate, pink and orange phenotypes. A discussion of non-red phenotypes will follow. Through discussion and information, we will study our genetic modeling for reds and non-reds, bringing out the types of red pigmentation (cherry and blood pigments) and their interaction exhibited through Punnet Squares, as well as practical considerations of breeder management. We will study the Vf (variegated fin) gene – the butterfly case, technical details that must be observed in butterflies, the performance of the background layer (or yellow layer).

Module 5: Fins in Bettas

We will study the bettas fins with various points of view: structures, types of formats, ramifications, quality of the caudal peduncle and number of lobes of the caudal fins. Understand how the balance between the size of the body and fins of the Betta fish should be. Know which are the genes that involve the number of lobes of the caudal fins. Learn about ventralization in bettas, as well as technical details that can reveal the presence of the double tail (DT) trait in a single tail (ST) phenotype. Types of fin edges, technical details to be observed in these phenotypes regarding the presence of the crown tail trait and its genetics, feather tail and rose tail phenotypes and technical details to be observed. In the end, we will study more about the existence of a certain type of fins, such as bettas dumbos, big ears and big caudal plakat.

Module 6: Masks in Bettas

We will deepen the study on betta masks, defining what they are, what their types are, detailing the current modeling and proposing a new, more comprehensive model for the types of masks. Study of several cases of mating bettas with different masks, technical details that must be observed in the phenotype regarding the presence of a type of partial or total mask.

Module 7: The giant bettas

We will study what giant bettas are, what crosses result in a giant betta, where their natural habitat is, our research and experiences with giant bettas. We will address the current model for studying giant bettas and we will study our proposition of a new model applied to giant bettas.

Module 8: The art of designing bettas

We will make a detailed analysis of a practical case, where it is possible to predict the occurrences of possible phenotypes that will appear in the litter, their theoretical percentages of occurrence, visual observation of the phenotypes of the breeders, information provided by the breeders of our matrices and the concepts studied throughout the course. We will develop in depth the betta black salamander.