BETTAS by Jim Sonnier/genetics2

**Spawnings for the Cambodian (light body color) gene**
male parent	female parent	offspring
Cambodian	Green (dark bodied)	100% Multicolor(Cambodian genotype)
Cambodian	Multicolor(Cambodian genotype)	50% Cambodian, 50% Multicolor(Cambodian genotype)
Cambodian	Cambodian	100% Cambodian
Multicolor(Cambodian genotype)	Red (dark bodied)	100% Multicolor(50% Cambodian genotype)
Multicolor(Cambodian genotype)	Multicolor(Cambodian genotype)	25% Cambodian, 75% Multicolor(67% Cambodian genotype)

BLONDE BETTAS have faded or washed out colors due to a mutant gene that has caused the Black pigment to be significantly reduced in density. The overall appearance of Blonde Bettas is pale with a lack of color contrast. A Red Betta showing the Blonde mutation exhibits a bright Red color, rather than the usual dark "Cherry" Red. The mutated gene that causes the Blonde characteristic is also recessive to the normal black gene. Betta breeders have not shown much interest in the Blonde mutation for obvious reasons.

Origninal Marble male from one of the first 25 pairs released by Walt Maurus in 1971

MARBLE BETTAS are Bettas with Black pigment of variable density on different parts of the body and fins, much like the coloration of a painted horse. The individual densities range from areas of no Black color all the way to very dark Black areas. When these Bettas are young the patterns of Black on white seem to shift and change from week to week. Once the fish has reached maturity the pattern is well fixed and there is usually little change from that point on. This Marble mutation appears to be a dominant gene with highly variable expression. When Marble Bettas are spawned the offspring are usually of several types including Cambodian, Blonde, Black, and Marble.

Marble Bettas were revived in America by Orville Gulley at the beginning of the 1970's. He was an inmate at a penal institution in Indiana. Walt Maurus, the number one spokesman for the Betta hobby at that time, supplied Mr. Gulley with fish and supplies through a prison rehabilitation program. When the Marbles were ready Walt distributed them to many serious breeders throughout the United States.

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