How to Identify Different Betta Fish

A female Betta's ovipositor

1. Identify gender as follows

• Fins - A male betta fish generally has longer fins. But some kinds of betta fish have short fins, even if it is a boy. Plakats have shorter fins, and resemble wild betta fish the most out of all the other fin types. But if there are male bettas with short fins, then how can you tell the difference?
• Features - Besides fin type, there are unique ways to tell a betta's gender. Female bettas have an ovipostor. The ovipostor is a little white dot on her belly. It really is the "egg spot", as some people call it. A female betta will also be fat with egg production when she is happy. When she is ready to breed, she will have stripes going up and down on her body. Don't worry about finding her a male betta, she will not be depressed if she doesn't get one. If she has stripes going across her body, she is scared.

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2. Identify the fish by behavior

• Male and female betta fish have different behavior. Males are usually more aggressive. They often fight with each other, so community tanks are not encouraged. A territorial behavior is flaring. A male betta's gills will open, and make them look tougher. This is only seen when another male is visible. This could also be when he sees his refection! A male betta will also flare at a female. Another funny thing male bettas do is build bubblenests. 
• The purpose is to act as a safe home for the eggs, which daddy is left to do. But whenever a male betta is happy with his living conditions will he ever build a nest. To build a nest, they blow bubbles, and push them together so they form a "blanket" on top of the water.

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3. Check the Fin type

  

•  Crowntails - Male crowntail bettas have longer fins. They are particularly striking, and popular. They have spiky fins, and when extended, it looks like a crown. Female bettas also have the same spiked look, but with much shorter fins. Crowntails are fairly aggressive.

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•  Halfmoons - Male halfmoons are the longest fin type. Males' fins are all one piece, unlike the crowntail. When extended, it looks like a half-moon, with the rounded end facing out. Females' fins are also long, but not nearly as long as the males. They are peaceful fish, but males can be aggressive.

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• Plakats - Male Plakats are short-finned. They have the shape of a halfmoon, but only a quarter of "halfmoon length". The fins are still longer than the females' though. This type is extremely aggressive, and should be kept solitary. Many different betta breeds are described as having a "Plakat body". 

•  King/Giant bettas - A fairly new breed of betta, this type is known for its size and aggressiveness. Possibly reaching 4-8 inches in length, people love them. But, they tend to be overpriced and unhealthy.

• Veil tails - VT is a simple breed of betta that is becoming more and more unpopular. Not exceptionally beautiful, these fish have droopy fins. They aren't especially aggressive, or large like the King Bettas. Although newer versions now have longer, prettier fins, the simple original type is not sought after. But, as with many other Bettas, breeding is bringing them back. Many VTs now have a gently sloping caudal fin (the fin in the back), held proudly, so it resembles a wedding-dress veil. 

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4. Look at the tails.

• Double tail - DT could be any fin type, as long as the back fin (caudal fin) is split in two. Any breed of Betta can have two caudal fins, as long as the genes trace back to DT. A true DT has two tails, meaning a set of slightly smaller fins. Uneven DT are not true DT, but a "split-tail" Betta.

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5. Tips

• Remember that all bettas are unique, and some males could have stripes and some females can make nests. The ovipostor is a telltale sign.

6. Warning

• Males and females don't always get along. Breeding is the only exception, but that is after hours and hours of chasing and fighting. So don't put two bettas in the same tank.
•  All bettas are aggressive. Never try putting two together. Do it only if you are a betta brainiac!