Anyone who keeps tropical fish will be familiar with Female Betta Fish (fighting fish). They are beautiful fish that will display a lot of personality. People are often put off by their occasional aggression, but this doesn’t have to be a problem if you know how to handle it.
Most information about female Betta Fish concerns keeping males. However, there are many reasons to get females instead.
| Category | Assessment |
| Level of care: | Easy |
| Temperament: | Semi-aggressive |
| Colour form: | Miscellaneous |
| Lifetime: | Up to 3 years |
| Size: | 2.25 inches |
| Diet: | Carnivorous |
| Family: | Osphronemidae |
| Minimum tank size: | 10 gallons |
| Tank Configuration: | Fresh water with plants and caves |
| Compatibility: | Alone, in groups or with peaceful schooling species |
Bettas are undeniably one of the most well-known tropical fish. This is why many people choose to keep only female Bettas. They are much more peaceful and can even be kept in groups called sororities. Even so, it shouldn’t be hard to find some in your area.
Female Betta Fish do not live long. Just like males, females only reach about 3 years old. The species is from Asia. It is mainly associated with Thailand, but it is also found in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. This breeding has produced many varieties with distinctive appearances.
As a member of the Osphronemidae family, other closely related species, such as Gouramis and Paradisefish, are also kept in aquariums.
Typical behavior
Female Betta Fish are characterized by their aggressiveness. In fact, they were bred to fight, which is why they have the second name of Siamese Fighting Fish. Fighting them is now illegal.
Females are less aggressive, but they will still fight. They like to establish a hierarchy and claim their own territory. The fights are less violent than when males fight, so injuries are less likely.
Usually, the aggression is directed towards other Bettas; females tend to tolerate other species well.
They are generally slow swimmers that occupy the middle and upper levels of the tank.
Sometimes, you will see them heading towards the surface to breathe. They can do this because they have a labyrinth organ that allows them to take in oxygen from the air.
They also have gills, which they use most of the time. Breathing air can indicate that water conditions are poor.
Appearance
First of all, females are slightly smaller, reaching 2.25 inches. Males reach 2.5 to 3 inches.
Females generally have smaller fins, especially the anal and dorsal fins. The caudal fin is also somewhat thinner.
There is a type of Betta called Plakat. Both sexes of this variety have short fins, so it is easy to confuse them with normal female Bettas.
To determine an individual’s sex, look for an “egg spot.” This is a small hole where the ovipositor tube can release eggs during mating. It is located on the underside of the body between the fins and the tail.
Female Bettas can be found in the same colours as the males (blues, purples, reds, Koi etc.), but they are not as bright.
This species comes in wide varieties (such as the crown-tail betta), but the differences between them are most obvious in males, as it is usually the fins that differ. There are, however, variations that feature colourful males and females. Females can change the intensity of their colouration depending on their mood.
The most brilliant displays are seen in nature when females try to assert dominance over each other to establish a social hierarchy.
The reduced fins and colours largely explain why females are less common, but they are still very attractive fish.
Habitat and reservoir conditions
These fish are found throughout Asia in the wild, so we need to consider their habitats when designing the perfect aquarium.
They tend to live in shallow river basins and rice fields. Warm waters would move slowly.
Female Betta Fish can tolerate poor water conditions. That’s why they have a labyrinth organ; to get oxygen from the air when there isn’t much in the water.
Both sexes have the same preferences when designing your tank. We’ll discuss how to recreate their natural conditions to keep them happy and healthy.
Tank conditions
Sand is always a safe substrate option. Its fine grains make it less likely to scratch if your fish starts digging or eating at the bottom of the tank.
Add groups of plants in different areas of the tank. These will each act as separate territories (and help oxygenate the water). Making caves out of rocks and other decorations can also help.
Hornwort is a good choice of plant because it is hardy. You can plant it or flog it on the surface.
Do not block too much surface area with plants. Bettas use surface area for many things, such as breeding, breathing, and feeding.
This species calms water, so you don’t need water or air pumps to create a current. You will also need a heater. Set it somewhere between 75°F and 80°F. Keep the pH at 6-8.
What size aquarium do they need?
Female Betta needs to keep them as part of a community, which will require a larger tank. Female betta need 10 gallon water.
How much can be stored per gallon?
If you plan on keeping a sorority of females, each additional fish will need an additional 5 gallons. The more space you give them, the less likely they will fight.
Tank Mates
Female Bettas can work well in a peaceful community if you choose the right companions.
Small schooling fish are great options. Since they stay in a group, it is unlikely that an individual will be harassed repeatedly. They can also usually flee quickly if they need to escape.
Some examples include Zebra Danios, Neon Tetras, Rosy Barbs, White Cloud Mountain Minnows, Mollies or Swordtails.
To fill the lower regions of the tank, you can try Kuhli Loaches, Zebra Loaches, Corydoras Catfish or Yoyo Loaches.
Avoid territorial species ( like Oscars ) as they will start fighting with your Bettas for space. Also, don’t choose colourful species that vaguely resemble male Bettas; they will stress out your females.
It should be prudent to add invertebrates. It is very interesting to observe the varied behaviours of Ghost Shrimp or Mystery Snails.
Compatibility can be an issue with this species, so be careful for a few days after adding new fish to your tank. If fights continue to break out, you may need to separate the culprits.
Keeping Female Betta Together
You can keep females together, unlike males. Males would often and violently fight, which would likely lead to death.
Females can also be aggressive and will fight, but they tend to be calmer. Fights don’t tend to be as regular or dangerous.
A sorority contains approximately 4-6 people, which requires a larger tank to accommodate the additional tank mates.
You will also need to decorate and plant different sections of your aquarium to form separate territories for each fish.
Diet
These fish are carnivores and need a lot of protein to stay strong and healthy. In the wild, their diet would consist of insect larvae, small crustaceans, and plankton, 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.
These types of foods have a higher nutritional content than others. However, dried foods lose most of their nutrients by the time they are manufactured.
This is the problem with flake and pellet foods, which are popular because they are more convenient to find and store.
Some dried foods have been specifically designed for Bettas. They usually contain high levels of protein, making them a more suitable choice.
Feeding times should be twice a day. Giving them a small amount of food spread out like this will ease the workload on their digestive system.
Provide an amount of food that they can finish in 2 minutes. Overfeeding is a common problem, as they will continue to eat until there is nothing left.
Care
One of the best things about Bettas is their hardiness. They have adapted to be able to survive harsh conditions in their natural habitat.
However, you still need to maintain your tank effectively, including water changes, wiping off algae, and cleaning equipment.
Any fish can get a disease. Bettas are no exception. An unclean aquarium will allow pathogens to thrive.
Physical injuries are another way for your females to contract a disease. These will likely be gained through combat. Injuries are rarer for females because combat is less of a problem.
If one of your fish becomes sick, place it in a quarantine tank to prevent the disease from spreading to the rest of your fish.
One problem you may encounter is fin rot. This bacterial infection is common in dirty waters. It could be introduced with used tackle or new fish from a store.
Symptoms include irritation and inflammation. It should be treated as soon as you notice it. Medications are available at pet stores.
Bloating is seen in many different fish. The abdomen becomes swollen, which can be a symptom of several things. This can lead to other problems like difficulty breathing and loss of appetite.
Overfeeding is the usual cause. Try rationing their diet and watching to see if the swelling goes down. If this doesn’t help, the bloating could be due to a parasite, virus, or bacteria. These will require medication.
Reproduction
If you want to breed your fish, you will need a male to introduce your female. Mating is normally the only time you should mix the two sexes.
They will only mate if their environment is perfect. The water should be clean and heated to 80°F. Feed your Bettas small amounts of high-quality live food 2-4 times daily.
If a couple is interested in each other, the female will darken, and the male will start building a bubble nest. Bubble nests are made on the surface using sticky bubbles covered in saliva.
The female will inspect the nest. If she is impressed, the pair may begin courting. This will involve chasing and biting. If he becomes too aggressive, you will need to separate them.
The female will be knocked over. The male will coil around her, fertilizing her eggs as she releases them. He will then take the eggs back to the nest.
Remove the female, as sometimes she eats the eggs.
The fry hatch after 2-3 days. They will need tiny foods such as infusoria.
Are Female Betta Fish Right for Your Aquarium?
Female Bettas are easier to care for than males, which makes them more appealing to beginners who want to avoid extreme aggression.
On the other hand, choosing females will mean you lose many of the colours that males possess. Many anglers believe that braving the aggression of a male for his large fins and bright colours is worth it.
Females are always beautiful fish, and you can keep a sorority – you are not limited to just one fish.
They are a great alternative to common males. Their behaviour will not stress you out, and if you keep a group, you will love watching them interact.
