Female Or Male In Sorority?

[vanvran]

Hi, I bought two females to start a sorority in my 20 gallon tank. One was very frisky, the other sort of subdued. I put the frisky one in second. They were ok, but within 10 minutes they were really fighting! It looked as if the passive one was trying to wrap around the frisky girl. Then it occurred to me she may be a "he." How can I tell the difference? They were labelled as females in the LFS. Then there was flaring and open mouths and nipping--it was awful. I shooed them apart and after that they seemed to adjust with a little pecking once or twice. Then my poor passive girl got her fin caught in the strainer! It was a nightmare--turned the current down. When I left this morning they were ok. I know I need to get more and plan to this weekend, but am worried because I don't have any tanks to put them in if it doesn't work out.

 

[Naughtygirlrlw]

Do you see a white dot underneath the ventral fins on the "feisty" one? If not then it's probably a male, the white dot is an ovipositor on a female. Generally (but not always) males will have longer ventral fins than females.
You should also get some more girls in there asap. 2 is not a good number to start with and the "feisty'' one may end up killing the other one. (especially if it's a male) If your stocking will allow, get at least 3+ more so the dominance is spread out and it's not just one fish taking the brunt. If it's going to be only a betta sorority you could get quite a few more in there. My sorority tank was always one of my favorites Good luck and enjoy

 

[vanvran]

Do you see a white dot underneath the ventral fins on the "feisty" one? If not then it's probably a male, the white dot is an ovipositor on a female. Generally (but not always) males will have longer ventral fins than females.
You should also get some more girls in there asap. 2 is not a good number to start with and the "feisty'' one may end up killing the other one. (especially if it's a male) If your stocking will allow, get at least 3+ more so the dominance is spread out and it's not just one fish taking the brunt. If it's going to be only a betta sorority you could get quite a few more in there. My sorority tank was always one of my favorites Good luck and enjoy

Thx, I will get more tomorrow and watch them today very carefully. The feisty one is all white so I doubt I can see the white dot. Besides, it was the passive one that was trying to wrap around her--so wouldn't that be the male, if she is in fact a male?