In this blog, we are going to talk about male betta fish and female betta fish. We will learn what makes them unique and different from each other.
Overview
In this blog
- Is it better to get a male or female betta fish?
- Are both male and female betta fish available in aquatic pet stores?
- Do male and female betta fish look similar physically?
- Do both male and female betta fish are aggressive?
- Do both male and female betta fish build bubble nests?
- Do both male and female betta fish show parental care?
- Do male and female betta fish have a similar lifespan?
- Can you keep male and female betta fish together?
- Important points to remember
- Summary
- Frequently asked questions
- Reference
Is it better to get a male or female betta fish?
Betta fish are gorgeous, be it a male betta fish or a female betta fish, but what makes them different from each other we will learn in this blog.
Both male and female betta fish are full of personalities and have various traits in common at the same time they have something unique which makes them different both physically and in terms of their behavior.
To know in detail, keep reading the blog and I am sure you will get an idea about both male and female betta fish. I will try to keep my blog simple yet informative.
Are both male and female betta fish available in aquatic pet stores?
Male betta fish are quite popular when it comes to buying a betta fish for a home aquarium. Male bettas are more colorful and attractive than female betta fish.
You can find male betta fish in all pet stores both physical and online stores. There are specific betta stores too in some areas where they keep only betta fish and specifically male betta fish.
Female bettas are also beautiful but they are not much in demand unlike male betta fish and you won’t find them in all pet stores. If you are interested in buying a female betta fish for your aquarium, you have to do proper research on which online site is selling them. You can also contact betta breeders regarding the same.
It would be best to buy a betta fish, be it male or female betta fish from betta breeders because they are aware of their genetics and can give you the relevant information about betta fish care.
Do male and female betta fish look similar physically?
In this section we will discuss the physical appearance of male and female betta fish . This section will tell you how they both look different in terms of their physical appearance:
Male and female betta body color
Male betta fish are more colorful and more vibrant than females. They even look more during mating season to attract female betta fish.
Male and female betta body size
Betta males have oblong bodies, while betta females have smaller and wider bodies.Mature male bettas are 2.4 to 3.1 inches long, while female bettas are 2.25 inches long.
Male and female betta pectoral fins and tail
- Male betta fish have longer tails, while female bettas have shorter tails
- Male bettas have bigger fins, while female bettas have shorter pectoral fins.
Vertical marking on betta fish body
Vertical markings usually appear in female betta fish bodies during breeding season, to let the amle fish know they are ready to mate. Male betta fish don’t show such markings on their bodies.
Do both male and female betta fish are aggressive?
Betta fish are known as siamese fighting fish or Chinese fighting fish for their aggression only and they have been bred in captivity for their aggression and different physical traits.
Both male and female betta fish are aggressive, but male betta fish are more aggressive than female betta fish and tend to fight, and bully other fish near them.
Two male bettas, if kept together, can kill each other to death to display dominance and territory. Male betta fish are so aggressive that they can’t be kept by other male betta fish, female betta fish, and other fish species.
Female betta fish are also aggressive but they are less aggressive compared to male betta fish. Female betta fish can adjust with female betta fish, male betta fish, and other fish species or in community tanks. They only get aggressive during mating season and especially post-mating.
Do both male and female betta fish build bubble nests?
Bubble nest activity is done by male betta fish during the breeding time to attract female betta fish to mate. It is usually made on a clean site on the surface of the water. Male betta start building it and wait for female betta fish to release eggs.
Female betta fish don’t make bubble nests for mating purposes, they make it sometimes on the surface of the water which is very healthy and indicates nothing.
Male betta fish male bubble nests and also blow those bubble nests. Female betta fish don’t make bubble nests for mating and they don’t even blow the bubble nest.
Do both male and female betta fish show parental care?
Post breeding care of the baby bettas until they become free swimming and independent enough to protect themselves from their enemies is parental care in betta fish.
In betta fish, the father or male betta fish is involved in taking care of baby betta fish, and this type of parental care is known as paternal parental care.
Male betta fish are mainly involved in caring for baby betta fish. Female betta fish show no affection towards them and become very aggressive post spawning.
Female betta fish tend to eat their babies out of aggression if they are left in the breeding tank post breeding process.It is advised to remove female betta fish from the breeding tank after the spawning process.
Male betta fish look after the babies, nurture them and give them all the warmth and care to fry until they become free swimming.
Do male and female betta fish have similar lifespan?
Betta fish are known to have an average lifespan of three years be it a male betta fish or a female betta fish. Betta fish with good genetics and the amount of care they get in their artificial home also decides their lifespan in general.
Male betta fish usually live longer than a female betta fish, because female betta fish participate in the breeding process again and again and get chased by male betta fish in the process. The chasing creates lots of stress in female betta fish and they die off early due to extreme stress.
Can you keep male and female betta fish together?
Male and female betta fish have different temperaments and they can be kept together only during breeding time. Male betta fish are known to chase female betta fish for mating when it is the mating time, but it is not necessary if your female betta fish is also ready to mate with the male betta fish.
The continuous chasing and harassing can stress female betta fish and they can die due to such breeding stress in the aquarium. It will be difficult for female betta fish to escape a male betta fish in such a small space, unlike wild betta fish.
In a wild habitat, betta fish get more space and they have every chance to escape a predator, or another male betta fish or female can escape a male betta fish if it is not ready for mating.
It is advised to not keep male and female betta fish together. You can keep them only during the mating time or keep them in dividers.
Important points to remember
| Male betta fish | Female betta fish |
| Bigger and more colorful than female betta fishElongated bodiesBigger pectoral finsBigger tailsNo vertical markings during breeding season.AggressiveBuild bubble nestLive longer than female betta fishBlow bubble nests | Smaller than male bettas and are less colorfulWider bodiesSmaller finsSmaller tailsvertical markings during breeding season.Semi-aggressive Don’t build bubble nestLive shorter than male betta fishDon’t blow bubble nests. |
Summary
- Male betta fish are more beautiful physically than female betta fish and are more in demand than female betta fish.
- Male betta fish are more aggressive than female betta fish.
- Male bettas prefer to stay alone while female bettas can stay with tank mates and other betta fish.
- Male betta fish live for three years, while female betta fish don’t live longer due to breeding stress given by male bettas.
- Bubble nests are mainly built by male betta fish to attract female betta fish for the breeding process.
- Female betta fish rarely make bubble nests. But it is rare.
- Male betta fish display parental care, while female betta fish won’t display any parental care.
- Keep male and female betta fish together, only during mating time.
Frequently asked questions
Do female betta fish blow bubble nests?
No, bubble nests are only blown by male betta fish. Female betta fish don’t blow bubble nests.
Do male betta fish show vertical markings on their body during mating?
No, vertical markings are displayed only by female betta fish during mating time.
Are female betta fish more colorful than male betta fish?
No, male betta fish are more colorful and beautiful than female betta fish.
Do female betta fish display parental care?
No, female betta fish don’t show parental care. Male betta fish show parental care.
