Is My Female Betta A Male?

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

I just bought 4 female betta’s (I know photos will be the best way to tell but I don’t have decent photos yet). I’ve noticed two have beards (I can’t tell if it’s just a beard on their cheeks or if it’s a full chin beard too). Anyway I got a mirror out to see if I could see anything (but no GRR). One that has a beard swam over to the mirror and played with it; the other bearded one did flare and then keep looking at it (my male keeps flaring at it). I can’t tell if the other two have beards as they are a little shy-er and tend to stick to the back of the tank. One of the shy ones spends all day chasing her reflection.

They are all about an inch long (maybe a tad longer); all with egg spots. One has a very slightly more pointy anal fin than the other three (one with a beard), when I say slightly more pointy, it's about a millimetre or two more pointy; they all have short (what are they called, those two long fins that come down right below their belly). I will try and get some nice photos of the 4 of them on.

I’ve seen no aggression yet; I gave them blood worms as a treat the other day and they got either end of the worm and pulled (no aggression; I was surprised).

EDIT: I don't think there is anything to the slightly pointed tail; I've found pictures of females with "points" the same as this one

 

[VaegaVic]

Perhaps this could help.

http/www.theaquariumwiki.com/File:Male-female_bettas.jpg

But as you know, pictures are the only way we can really help.

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Three definately have the female tail and the other one seems to be similar shape but the point; effectively points towards the tail fin rather than towards the ground like the males...

 

[BethK]

Females have beards but not as elaborate as the males. Their 'under beard' section is small but juvvie males also have egg spots. I wouldn't worry until they are bigger, I would watch out for the female breeding stripes, if they show, then there is defo a male in there but for now, they will be ok.

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Do they only get breeding stripes when they are ready for breeding? I assumed they'd get them once they were in form for breeding.

I didn't get a good chance to look at the beards to see them properly. Will definately get photos

 

[BethK]

Yeah but if there is a male in there with them for a long amount of time, one of the girls will become a 'tart'

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

I'll get photos lol.