Help Determining Sex of Betta

[Harachel Fish]

Hi all,

Recently purchased this betta. She is listed as a female, but I am not so sure. Would really appreciate any help with this.

 

[CassCats]

Looking at your photos, you can see the triangular outline of the ovaries, which only females have. Males will not have this pointed bulge shape, instead will be rounded.

 

[Harachel Fish]

Looking at your photos, you can see the triangular outline of the ovaries, which only females have. Males will not have this pointed bulge shape, instead will be rounded.

Thanks so much! Really appreciate the answer and the information.

 

[Colin_T]

The fish has a beard (black bit around the outer edge of the gill cover, and a long anal fin. This is characteristic of a male.

See if it builds a nest, if it does then it's a male.

See if you can spot the ovipositor (where the fish poops from). If it's white, then it's female. Males have a dark ovipositor.

 

[CassCats]

The fish has a beard (black bit around the outer edge of the gill cover, and a long anal fin. This is characteristic of a male.

See if it builds a nest, if it does then it's a male.

See if you can spot the ovipositor (where the fish poops from). If it's white, then it's female. Males have a dark ovipositor.

Some females can have these same traits. The beard is still pretty short for a male. And I've got a female with a long anal fin too.

Its interesting though you are the first person I've seen actually acknowledge the egg spot on males existing. Most people just say males don't have them and dismiss that.


OP, view your fish back-lit under bright light, look for the shadow of the ovaries. Get a photo if you can

 

[xxamyxx85]

The fish has a beard (black bit around the outer edge of the gill cover, and a long anal fin. This is characteristic of a male.

See if it builds a nest, if it does then it's a male.

See if you can spot the ovipositor (where the fish poops from). If it's white, then it's female. Males have a dark ovipositor.

This can’t be right. My Male had a white ovipositor when he first came to me. I was sure I had been sold a female so I came on TTF for advice and essjay advised that the best way to sex is via the ‘beard’ if when flaring the beard goes all the way around the bottom of the head then it’s a Male, I used a small mirror and it did go all the way around, I haven’t seen a flaring female to compare though, so maybe someone who has a female could confirm this.

 

[xxamyxx85]

Looking at your photos, you can see the triangular outline of the ovaries, which only females have. Males will not have this pointed bulge shape, instead will be rounded.

View attachment 124894View attachment 124895View attachment 124896View attachment 124897

Wow you really know your stuff!

 

[Harachel Fish]

Hi all,

Thanks again for all the great information. I tried to get better pictures for you. Tried to get the ovipositor, not sure I was successful.

Will say did see her flare earlier and I am pretty sure there was no beard.

 

[CassCats]

Yep, ovary shadow is definitely visible, 100% female with nice finnage. Males do not have the ovary shadow or bulge that females do.

If you compare to a male... this is the shape you look for on the boys.

Given all the fancy strains now and the females even being more colourful and having longer fins, sometimes you can't rely on the fin shape or colours, and some females do have a slight beard but even if it is present it is still shorter than what a male will have. Females will also flare at times as well!
One of my older girls, a wild phenotype plakat flaring at her reaction.

Best bet is if your fish shows mixed traits or you can't tell, look at them backlit and look at the internal organ shape. Longer bodied labyrinth fish often have long triangular ovaries which can be visible in mature fish.