During courtship, a male Betta will flare itself in a display to impress the female. If the female is attracted by this display she will darken in color to indicate her status as ready to mate.
Unlike many species of tropical fish that lay eggs, the male is the one who builds a nest made from bubbles while the female has nothing further to do with her offspring after depositing eggs into the water.
Fry and juvenile betta fish are not taken care of by either parent and will be able to forage on their own. Many hobbyists enjoy keeping female Betta fish in small groups. These groupings are referred to as sororities. If you want to keep female bettas together, consider housing four to six female fish in a tank of at least twenty gallons.
That helps to distribute potential aggressive behavior among the female fish. Larger aquariums will offer enough room for the fish to hide if needed while still allowing you to watch social interactions between the female community. It is worth noting that some species of Siamese Fighting Fish make for better female tank mates than others. Female Betta tank mates can come from a variety of tropical fish that enjoy similar water conditions.
We would suggest that potential female Betta tank mates should not resemble male Siamese Fighting Fish.
Avoiding species with bright colors and long fins will keep stress levels among your female Bettas low. Female Betta tank mates that have peaceful dispositions are better suited for community aquariums. Highly aggressive tropical fish species will generate more aggressive behaviors in the female Betta fish, which could cause fights between Bettas that cause injury or death. Smaller species of Rosy barbs or bottom feeders, such as Corydoras, are potential species worth considering.
All tank mates have the potential to fight, so you will want to keep an eye out on your community aquarium as it is being established. If you discover tank mates that are not compatible it would be best to separate these fish from your female Bettas. This will prevent the tank mates from being picked on by the female Betta fish or prevent the female fish from being attacked by the problem tank mates.
This species is popular for their crowntail caudal fins as well as for their colors. Named due to the webbing of the tail creating a really cool spiked crownlike appearance.
Is caring for a female betta or community of ladies any different than maintaining a male fish? While females have the same habitat and feeding requirements as males, their behavior is markedly different. Plus, you may opt to get several females and start a sorority tank! There are more than 70 species of bettas in the region and most have never been domesticated.
In the wild, bettas typically live in shallow rice paddies, streams, and slow-moving rivers, where they feed on insect eggs and small bugs in the water. Wild betta fish lack the vibrant colors of the fancies , although many have interesting scale patterns and spots of bright color. Domesticated female bettas closely resemble their wild ancestors in their overall appearance. One fun fact about bettas is that they are a type of labyrinth fish and have an organ that allows them to breathe air on the surface of the water.
They enjoy hanging out at the top part of their tank and taking sips of the air there. How big do female bettas get? Both male and female fancy bettas typically average about 2. Where they differ is in their fins. Male fish are known for their elaborate, decorative 1 to 2-inch long tail fins. Unlike male bettas, there are not many types of female betta fish. You might search for a crowntail or double tail male, or pick a male based on their color. Average Adult Body Length. Average Adult Total Length.
Lean, slender body Color is paler and not as vibrant The ovipositor tube a white spot is noticeable at the base of ventral fins. Beard is tucked under the gill cover and almost invisible.
Thicker, heavier body Colors are vivid, deep and vibrant Extended fancy tail, anal and dorsal fins. Ventral fins may be elongated in some varieties. Noticeable beard peeking out from under the gill cover. Betta Gender. Lean, slender body Color is paler and not as vibrant The ovipositor tube a white spot is noticeable at the base of ventral fins Beard is tucked under the gill cover and almost invisible.
Where else do female bettas differ from their larger and more colorful mates? Female bettas are not as territorial as the males, however, which is why they can share a tank with the right set-up. As long as they are not under stress, female fish usually get along well in a sorority or community fish tank if they have enough personal space.
Caring for a single female betta is really no different than taking care of a male fish. They have the same needs when it comes to diet, temperature, and water circulation. Bettas are carnivores and in the wild feed primarily on live insects and their eggs floating in the water. While you have the option of feeding your betta a commercial diet, many fish greatly prefer live or fresh-frozen foods over flakes.
They will be more likely to eat foods that float rather than those that sink. Your female betta will have a more vibrant color and will likely stay healthier if offered a variety of foods and treats. General-purpose fish foods are not suitable for bettas. You may supplement a commercial diet with treats or feed your betta fresh, freeze-dried, or frozen foods such as:.
I usually feed my fish every other day, as this pattern of feast and famine more closely mimics their natural way of eating than daily feedings would.
Basically, my fish get what they can eat in about 1 to 2 minutes and then any excess food is removed. For community set-ups, I make sure to offer a variety of foods so each type of fish can pick what they prefer.
I scatter these across the top of the tank, so each betta can feed in peace and not feel like they need to fight for space. Just as with a single fish, I usually only feed my community tanks every other day and just what they can consume within a couple of minutes. Can the female and male be together all the time or should they be kept in different tanks? Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer. Not Helpful 41 Helpful Not Helpful 37 Helpful Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Accurately sexing Bettas is a skill that develops with practice. Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0. When in doubt, try finding a local Betta fish expert at your local fish store. Look for a store that specializes in selling only aquarium fish rather than a larger department store. If you are determining the sex of an adult Betta, looking at their size can be the first helpful tips. Females are usually smaller in body size than males.
If you choose to put a mirror in front of your betta to promote flaring, do not leave the mirror there for an extended period of time. It could stress out your betta from the presence of "another betta" in the tank. Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0. While female Bettas can be kept together under the right conditions , males should not be kept together. Males and females should not be kept together except during short periods for breeding. Related wikiHows How to.
How to. About This Article. Co-authored by:. Co-authors: Updated: June 8, Categories: Featured Articles Betta. Article Summary X To determine the sex of a betta fish, you'll need to wait until your fish is at least 2 months old since that's when male and females start to look different.
Italiano: Determinare il Sesso di un Pesce Betta. Deutsch: Das Geschlecht eines Siamesischen Kampffisches bestimmen. Nederlands: Het geslacht van een Betta vis bepalen. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read , times. And how to check if it's a girl or boy. More reader stories Hide reader stories.
Did this article help you? Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Charlie Brown Jun 8. Nico Neveling Jun 28, My Partner first bought me a beautiful Blue color male betta last month and the male has this hole chill, relaxing and just hanging attitude. So for my birthday present he bought me today a gorgeous Betta Female and her attitude is very active and busy.
We placed them in different containers to see how they would react, the male has not shown any aggression. Bettas are hardy and can tolerate poor water conditions. Both sexes have the same preferences when designing your tank.
We will talk through how to recreate their natural conditions, to keep them happy and healthy. Sand is always a safe option to use as a substrate. It has fine grains which makes it less likely to scratch if your fish started to dig or eat from the bottom of the tank. Add groups of plants in different areas of the tank, these will each act as separate territories and help to oxygenate the water. Making caves out of rocks and other decorations can help with this as well.
You also get the option of whether to plant it or float it on the surface. Make sure not to block too much of the surface with plants. Bettas use the surface for many things, like breeding, breathing, and feeding. A filter is essential for keeping the water clean. You will need a heater too. A single female Betta needs a tank of at least 10 gallons. Keeping them as part of a community will require a bigger tank. If you plan to keep a sorority of females, each additional fish will need an extra 5 gallons.
The more space you can give them, the less likely they will be to fight. Female bettas can work well in a peaceful community if you choose appropriate betta tank mates. Small shoaling fish are great options. Since they stick in a group, one individual is unlikely to be picked on repeatedly. They can usually dart away quickly if they need to escape too.
Avoid territorial species like Oscars as they will start fighting with your Bettas for space. Do not pick colorful species that vaguely resemble male Bettas either; they will stress your females. It should be safe to add some invertebrates. It is very interesting to watch the varied behaviors of Ghost Shrimp or Mystery Snails.
Compatibility can be a problem with this species so be observant for a few days after adding new fish to your tank. If fights keep breaking out, then you may have to separate the culprits.
You can keep females together, unlike males. Males would fight often and violently , which would probably lead to death. Females can be aggressive too, and will fight, but they tend to be calmer. A sorority contains roughly individuals. This requires a larger tank, to cater for the extra tank mates. You will also need to separate different sections of your aquarium with decorations and plants, to form distinct territories for each fish.
These fish are carnivores and need a lot of protein to stay strong and healthy. In the wild their diet would contain a mix of insect larvae, small crustaceans, and plankton.
This is the same for both sexes. Live and frozen foods are an easy way to replicate this at home. Common options are brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms.
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