When I was looking at the Japanese internet or the Thai market, I sometimes thought, ``Huh?'' Sometimes I come across a fish that makes me think. This is because there are cases where the fish being sold and the commercial name used for it do not seem to match. The type of fish that has many such fish is the Plakat Galaxy, which we will be introducing this time. It is originally a variety derived from Koibeta, and is characterized by fine, shiny scales on the sides of its body. Its glittering scales were likened to stars in the galaxy, and it was named Galaxy.
When this fish first became available on the market, I remember being impressed by the product name, which very well captured its characteristics. Now, it seems that Galaxy quickly became a popular variety due to its familiar name and beautiful appearance, but it seems that it was somewhat difficult to fix the glittering, shiny, lame-like scales on the sides of its body. As a result, there were few beautiful fish with well-balanced, shiny patterns, and they were sold at relatively high prices. As a result, some shops and farms began to sell fish with the popular name Galaxy, even to fish of a grade that could not be called Galaxy.
Well, this type of behavior is not limited to popular fish species, but is common in the ornamental fish industry. As always, it doesn't feel good to see the naughty parts of business. The misrepresentative name affects not only Thai shops but also the Japanese brokers and traders who buy them. It seems that there are many cases in which the companies that handle betta fish are not very familiar with betta fish and simply use the name as purchased without question. As a result, fish that cannot be called Galaxy end up being distributed in Japan under that name.
In fact, there are many opportunities to see such fish at online auctions in Japan. This is a problem on the part of the seller who uses the name of a popular variety with conviction, and the part of the purchaser who believes in this and makes a purchase, but it is also difficult to correct. This time, I wrote about Galaxy, where these problems are particularly common, but I often see fish with similar misrepresentation in plastic cut fish, which are traded at high prices, such as Samurai and Avatar. The seller is at fault, but the buyer should also learn more and avoid catching fish like this.
Now, the theme of this column is the galaxy, which has changed considerably since it first appeared and now. As a result of selective breeding to increase the number of shiny scales and spot patterns on the sides of the body, it seems that the retention rate of fish with white markings has increased, the opportunities to see high-quality fish have increased, and the prices of such fish have become more affordable. It has come. At the same time, many fish began to be seen with white scales that were caked together like a nebula instead of the galaxy pattern that was the original characteristic of galaxies. These fish are certainly part of the Galaxy lineage, but I feel like they've already reached the point where it's safe to call them different breeds. This time I'm introducing it in photos, so I'd like you to see it for yourself.
Improved varieties are constantly changing, so it seems inevitable. I don't deny evolution, but isn't it also important to preserve fish that have basic characteristics? Personally, I think the best of the Galaxy is the one with a slightly darker base color and well-balanced glittering fine scales scattered on the sides of the body.
