Dragon Scale Betta
Betta splendens
About this strain
Dragon Scale Bettas have an amplified iridescent scale layer that creates a thick, metallic, armor-like appearance — scales look raised, white to silver-metallic, and catch the light like hammered metal. The base color underneath is often vivid red or blue, creating intense contrast. The dragon gene is visually spectacular but comes with a significant health caveat: scale overgrowth can and does affect the eyes, and many Dragon Scale bettas develop partial or complete blindness as adults. Buy from breeders actively selecting against eye overgrowth. A blind betta can still live comfortably, but it should factor into your decision.
Origin
The Dragon Scale variety was developed by Thai breeders in the early 2000s through selective breeding for hyper-iridescence. It gained rapid international recognition and is now a mainstream commercial strain, though responsible breeding programs continue to address the eye-scaling issue.