Bars/stripes On Gills?

[ellena]

Noticed tonight my blue betta whose head is black has got 2 white stripes running down his gills, identical on each side. They're very obvious and I think appeared while I was feeding him. Any idea what they are? Have tried to get a pic, but I couldn't, sorry.

 

[betta fish]

They are nothing to worry about it means he's happy and excited about getting fed, although I've only ever seen barring on my girls gills, does it look like this?

 

[ellena]

Yes it does, thank you for the reassurance

 

[Blondie_Kate]

aww how sweet! something to look out for!

 

[CTlovesKS]

This is new to me lol...

Gotta keep an eye out next time I feed them to see if my boys does this

 

[Sorrell]

Yep! It is a sign that all is well and you have a healthy fish

 

[CTlovesKS]

So does it mean that if it doesnt show up they are not healthy ?

 

[Tonym]

My female bettas have the stripes too, although like betta fish i have never seen them in a male it means there happy.

 

[Winterlily]

One of my males has those stripes, too. I posted about it recently and someone said it was a sign of maturity. Here's a pic - same stripes, yes?

And here's the link to the thread if you wanna read it!

I prefer the answer of it meaning he's happy and healthy, though! And yeah, I too would like to know if they don't have the stripes, does that mean they aren't happy and healthy?