Top-View Judging Standards
In Chinese competitions, butterfly tails are displayed in shallow white bowls and judged from above. The tail should form two symmetrical triangles that fan outward like butterfly wings.
Side-view inspection is secondary. This is completely different from Japanese fancy standards.
Pond vs Tank Keeping
A shallow indoor pond or wide aquarium (low height) shows off the butterfly pattern best. Tall tanks hide the feature.
Pond depth 30-40cm is ideal. Use white or light-colored pond liner to make colors pop.
Color Varieties
Panda butterfly (black and white), red/white, calico, and solid colors are common. Panda is most prized but color can shift with age.
Black often fades to gold in fish under 2 years. Genetics determine stability — not all panda butterflies stay panda.
Breeding Notes
Breeders select for tail width and symmetry. Culling rate is high — expect 5-10% of fry to meet show standards.
Line-breed for 3-4 generations to stabilize butterfly gene. Outcross every 5 generations to prevent deformity.