Plakat

The word plakat  can actually be pronounced three ways, depending on where in the world you are

from: Pla-cat, Pla-ket, or Pla-cot. So essentially you're all right. Chill.

A Plakat betta, traditionally, has shorter tail and back fin set, making them look more like their cousins in the wild than their other, stereotypical counterparts. It is because of this that they are often mistaken for females. However, for those experienced in betta keeping, there are some ways to tell the two sexes apart. When side-by-side, the male is often thicker than the female. Additionally, males are more aggressive, and will "flare" at other males or their own reflection. When they flare, you should be able to see a gill beard that females do not have.

Credit: American Aquarium Products

They are bred in Asia, and as such they tend to be more aggressive, as Eastern cultures value the fighting instincts more than the West. The male fish will willingly kill a more placid mate, and thus must be watched closely during the breeding process.

Because of their shorter fins, they are often more active. They are also incredibly resistant to diseases. These two reasons are what makes them popular with hobbyists.

One hobbyist in particular, the admin of the page @abettacalledwanda, says, "I love half moon plakats. The attitudes. They can be more aggressive and tend to have shorter fins."

All in all, while plakats may be different than the common bettas, they make up for it in fight and spirit.