Vertical Stripes on Male Bettas

[lizard]

I was at Wal-Mart tonight (when my car decided to break again, but that's another story) and of course had to look at the fish. A number of the Bettas (all males) had vertical stripes on them. Is that normal? Do they "mean" anything or are they just markings?

Thanks.

Pamela
aka Lizard

 

[White Whale]

Odd pattern. Unless they are long-finned females that are ovulating.