Defining A Good Plakat

Plakats are the oldest of the domesticated Betta and are derived from animals bred for fighting. Show plakats bear certain distinctive features reflective of this ancestry. All plakats are short-tailed fish designed for rapid swimming. Specifically the dorsal and anal fins should not greatly exceed the body width and the caudal fin should not exceed 1/3 of the body length. Relative to other show Betta, the plakat body form is more stout and body mass greater. Plakats are expected to be notably more aggressive than other show Betta, to have the demeanor of a pit bulldog, and be constantly on the alert for intruders.

The plakat classes are defined on differences in body form and finnage as well as color, as detailed in the standards below. The two plakat forms are the traditional plakat and the show plakat. Either of two plakat forms may be entered in the regular and New Breeder classes. Here they are judged not only relative to one another, but by the degree to which they are faithful exemplars of their class.

The traditional plakat may be shown in any color. Show plakat classes are recognized in all color types.

Traditional Plakats

The traditional plakat is a stout, heavy bodied aggressive fish with distinctive finnage.

Dorsal - The dorsal fin may be either uniformly rounded or come to point (see figure).

Anal - The anal fin has a trapezoid shape with the forward (anterior) edge shorter than the rear (posterior) edge. The posterior tip should be pointed (see figure). When flaring the rear edge of the anal fin should overlap the lower portion of the caudal fin.

Caudal - The caudal fin may be either spade shaped (see figure) or rounded.

 If spade-shaped the point should be at the midpoint of the fin. A caudal spread of 180° is preferred, but differs from the requirements for other show Betta and for other plakat classes in two respects. First the edges of the caudal fin are expected to be rounded rather than shaped in the configuration of the letter D (see figures). Second, the 180° caudal should not be achieved by greater than primary or secondary branching of the caudal fin rays. Thus the caudal spread in a traditional plakat is achieved by an increase in the volume of tissue between rays rather than by an increase in fin ray branching.

Ventral fins - Ventral fins can be either full or thin, but are expected to be notably longer than in other show Betta, 2/3 the length of the length of the body (as measured from the base of the ventral fin to the caudal peduncle) or longer -see Figure.

Pectoral fins - As in other show Betta.

A good sample of Traditional Plakat

Show Plakats (Halfmoon Plakats)

This is the most common of the plakat forms bred today, combining traits of traditional plakats and show Betta. Like the traditional, the form is asymmetrical. The show plakat standard is the same in all respects to that of the traditional plakat with two essential exceptions:

Dorsal - The dorsal fin should be semi-circular and preferably snap open as a fan. In the most ideal situation the dorsal overlaps the upper part of the caudal. The upper front edge can be either sharp or slightly rounded.The capacity of the fin to open in this fashion is often achieved not by in increase in volume, but by an increase in fin ray branching and possibly a slight increase of rays. In the most ideal situation, the dorsal overlaps the upper part of the caudal. Overlap of the dorsal with the body is not desirable.

Caudal - Unlike the traditional plakat, the caudal fin is the same as the standard show Betta. The caudal spread is 180 degrees, has straight rays, sharp edges and the shape of a semi-circle (capital “D”), no longer the 1/3^rd the length of the body. The ray splitting should be evenly distributed with a secondary branching (4-ray) or more without becoming too excessive. A >180 degree spread (overhalfmoon, oHM) is not preferred above a 180 degree spread.

Anal - The anal fin has a trapezoid shape with the front rays (anterior) part shorter than the rear (posterior) part. From the front to the back the anal show as gradual slope coming to a pointed tip. The longest ray of the anal ideally should be at least twice as long or longer (preferred) as the length of the outer rays of the caudal. During flaring, the front should be directed forward a nd the back should overlap the lower part of the caudal.

Ventrals - The shaper of the ventrals mimic the blade of a knife with the cutting edge directed backwards. The ventrals have a full appearance, are equal in length and should not appear to be permanently crossed. The length of the ventrals should be at least equal to the longest ray of the anal.

Pectoral fins - As in other show betta.

A good sample of Show Plakat (Halfmoon Plakat)

Source : IBC Standard

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