Tail Types: The Dumbos

Is that extra flutter worth it?

Dumbo bettas can be one of the most beautiful tail types around. With their fluttery ‘fairy wing’ pectoral fins, Dumbos cut a striking look in any tank. They’re also an active, hardy fish that come in both longfin and shortfin varieties. Dumbos are characterized by white, overgrown pectoral fins that mimic the fin tissue found in their other body fins. Unlike regular betta pectorals, which are clear, small, and mainly used for transportation around the tank, Dumbo pectorals are large, showy, dress-like fins designed for jaw-dropping looks.

Squid, a dumbo betta

Surprisingly these overgrown fins, while fragile, seem to not impact the bettas in any negative way. In Dumbos, one condition rises to the top of my list of concerns in such a landslide that the sheer number of them are unbelievable— Eye issues. It’s gotten so bad that in America, it’s getting hard to find a store-bought fish with two healthy eyes.

But what’s causing these issues? Unlike Popeye, with is caused by injury or infection, Dumbo eyes mainly suffer from an overgrowth of tissue. This tissue commonly grows across the lens of the eye and around the eye cup itself. Some cases can mimic Diamondeye, but it’s not pigment that’s spread across the lens of the eye— it’s tissue. I’ve even seen it so extreme that this extra abnormal growth dislodges the eye itself. While most of this tissue growth is benign in nature, though troublesome, eye cancers do seem to occur at a higher percentage in Dumbo bettas as well.

A rescue betta with two fogged-over, cloudy eyes. Note the exaggerated eye cups.

Another common eye issue in Dumbo bettas are regressed, underdeveloped eyes. These are a genetic malformation that occurs early in development. Affected eyes might lack the lens, or be abnormally small, or just not there at all.

Alexi, a blind Dumbo betta with two undeveloped eyes.

I theorize that the gene that causes the abnormal pectoral fin growth is also responsible for the abnormal degree of tissue growth on the eyes of Dumbo bettas, though why it targets the eyes and not other parts of the body I can’t say. The presence of scales maybe protects other body areas from this unusual development? More testing needs to be done on a genetic level to determine this, which is well beyond the capabilities of my fish room.

Since these are all genetic issues, the top treatment for Dumbo bettas with unhealthy eyes is proper management. Blind bettas can live full, healthy, happy lives. Blindness is fortunately not a huge issue in bettas. They tend to do quite well blind. I’ve had several bettas missing both eyes who lived a good long time with no issues.

Merrick, a dumbo betta who lived a very long time and had a large cauliflower tumor.

Dumbo bettas are also prone to spinal malformations due to bad breeding. These can be minor twists or major kinks that distorts the betta’s body, sometimes causing SBD issues. Several bends can be present at once, twisting the poor betta up like a knot. Again, management is key for betas with these afflictions.

Sinistral, a Dumbo girl with a severely twisted spine.

Overall, Dumbo bettas are a beautiful, hardy choice for a finned companion, and their eye issues, while severe, are often not fatal in any way. While an overwhelming number of Dumbos in the country have one or both eyes afflicted with issues, aside from the eyes they tend to be a sturdy choice for a fish. They can tend towards drama and stress but do adapt well to new environments.