-
Fins
-
Both male and female bettas are very colourful. One way to tell the difference between the two is by their fins. The male bettas have long, flowing fins and a more pointed anal fin (the long solid fin on the bottom of the betta). Female bettas have shorter fins and their anal fins are more level. Due to their shorter fins, female bettas also zip around quicker in the tank as they are not as bothered by water current as their male counterparts.
Body
-
Male bettas have slightly longer bodies than female bettas, though they are all about 2 inches. Another key difference in their bodies is the ovipositor. Only females have an ovipositor, a small white egg tube that protrudes from the underside of the female beta̵7;s body, just behind the ventral fins. This is the tube from which the eggs come out during spawning. You can also tell who̵7;s male and female during spawning as the male will embrace the female betta and squeeze the eggs out of the ovipositor.
Behavior
-
Male bettas are very aggressive and will fight any male betta in the same tank. To tell if the betta is male without putting in another betta in is by holding a mirror against the tank so the betta can see its reflection. If the betta is male, he will go into fighting posture upon seeing his reflection. He will flare out his gill covers and erect his fins to make himself look larger.
Female bettas, though also aggressive, will not display a fighting stance when with another betta, although it is not recommended they be kept in the same tank with a male betta after spawning. Additionally, female bettas can live with other female bettas. Usually, they can be housed in groups of three as the females do fight to create a hierarchy. If there are only two female bettas, they will just fight for domination until one dies.
-
How Do You Tell the Difference Between a Male & a Female Betta?
Bettas are good for first time tropical fish owners as they are very resilient and easy to care for. Given the right tank mates, they will live peacefully with their companions. That's one of the reasons why owners need to distinguish between male and female bettas. Two male bettas in the same tank will fight each other until one dies whereas female bettas can happily live with at least two more female bettas. However, neither sex should live with other large-finned fish, such as guppies and angelfish, as the bettas will attack them.