Bit Confused

[kazc31]

I'll try keep This as short as I can but some weird things are going on in my tank! I've had two new Pearl bettas for over 11 days now with my other 5. All my others have in the last week become really highly coloured abit like they would around a male! (If witnessed this before by a mistake ). Anyways one of the pearls was pushing her way to alpha although my main alpha was having none! Anyways Monday the Pearl went crazy chasing of every betta in her sight not exact ripping fins but I noticed a beard not real large but larger than my other females even the other pearl, they had a show down at one point! Anyways things have calmed but all the other bettas seem really interested in her. I caught three of them doing a weird rubbing thing up against each other last night. So I Dunno if all this show is fighting or attempt of mating! Is this a normal alpha omega process or could this be a male in my tank perhaps juvenile!! Don't get the whole rubbing against each other thing!!
Deffo looks like a she but I'm not so sure!!

 

[ncguppy830]

no i doubt thats a male, the coloration is to dull for it not to be a female not to mention the fins, its possible that its a female trying to establish pecking order though.

 

[BettaBarbara]

Hi, Where did you get the fish? Could she/he possibly be a  plakat?  As male or female, they are aggressive.

 

[kazc31]

Local fish store! Bought a male by accident before and was sure within hours! Said I wouldn't make the same mistake again! It has been 11 days n like I said there's been no ripped fins am ready to remove if need be! I was bit confused with the rubbing and pushing with the body if u will as have seen them do this during mating! But have Also seen males do it during a fight! Hoping this is a general process in establishing order and just a girly quarrel! This is my first sorority and had no trouble with my other females! But again my old girls have become highly coloured again not sure this is a pose for show because things are unsettled! It's a lot of mixed signals there giving!

Also for reference I don't enjoy watching males fight just been looking up clips to get an idea on behaviour!

 

[ncguppy830]

well just look for the eggspot, its the easiet way to sex bettas.

http/nicebetta.blogspot.com/2012/10/male-or-female.html

 

[kazc31]

Well my male I purchased had one Lol some Males have it aswell from what I've read! It seems sometimes u just really can't tell unless uv two males or they mate Lol!

 

[ncguppy830]

well young males have eggspots but lose them as they mature.. did you read the link?

 

[betta fish]

The photo shows a female, the behaviour you described sounds like normal dominance behaviour exhibited by females who have yet established a rank they are just squaring up to each other testing strength and size I wouldn't worry, it is perfectly normal 

 

[BettaBarbara]

well just look for the eggspot, its the easiet way to sex bettas.

http/nicebetta.blogspot.com/2012/10/male-or-female.html

Great link!

 

[ncguppy830]

thanks.

 

[kazc31]

Yea thanks for the link! And thanks for ur advice that's what I was hoping! Doesn't seem too major just general chasing! Its taking some time as my old alpha doesn't seem to want to give up her spot just yet!

 

[Wildbetta]

Be careful to watch the body rubbing ect as that is highly aggressive behavior for females.  Chasing and nipping fins is normal dominance behavior as is squaring off in a "T" position (like dogs about to fight).  When they get into physically rubbing, bumping, or ramming each other that could end up causing some real damage that you won't be able to see from the outside.  Just keep a close eye on the behavior and if it continues, I suggest you remove the female doing the most aggressive behavior.  The picture appears to be female but I can not guarantee as it is quite small.  Also a female will have a beard but it does not go all the way across the bottom of the chin if that makes sense.  The males have very elongated beards that stretch all the way around the face and females have shorter beards that are mainly on the sides of the face and not under the chin area.

 

[RCA]

I am not sure of your tank set-up with your girls in respect to planting, ornaments or size.  One thing to do (if not already) is to change the decor around so that any territories already established will be broken down and the girls will be busier making new territories and exploring.  I always tend to do this when adding any new girls in with existing.  Also, adding something new to the aquarium can keep them occupied for awhile, I added three new pieces of wood the other day, and the girls were soon busy wondering if these were better spots to hang out in.  
 
Have you got any pictures of your set-up?  
 
Pretty Betta by the way.

 

[kazc31]

Heya Yea I did do! Added new floating plants and few more live ones! It's 15 gals Also! Unfortunately I had to move one! She was most aggressive to my other Pearl who wouldn't back down and kept bumping and flaring at my other girls! The remaining one was fine with the others so decided she was clearly too territorial!

 

[Creature]

It looks like a female, just watch them closely. That's usually what I do when something weird happens in my tank. Goodluck!