Female Betta: The Queen of Your Aquarium

The female Betta fish can be the ideal option if you want to give your aquarium a pop of color and personality. Although their more flamboyant male counterparts tend to overshadow them, female Bettas have their own special grace and charm. These fish, which are well-known for their vivid colors and lively behavior, are more than just pretty faces; they infuse your tank with a dynamic energy that can be both soothing and enthralling.

Female Bettas are easier to keep in community tanks because of their generally calmer temperament as opposed to the aggressive males. Even though they may have more subdued looks, they nevertheless have eye-catching colors and fin patterns. In fact, their peaceful disposition can improve the harmony in your aquarium, particularly if they are housed with other friendly species.

Moreover, female bettas exhibit fascinating behaviors like building bubble nests and engaging in interesting interactions with their surroundings. Seeing these actions can amuse you for hours on end and give you more insight into the innate tendencies of your aquatic companions.

Selecting a female Betta involves accepting a special aspect of caring for a fish that is not just beautiful to have in your tank. The female bettafish are the real queens of their aquatic kingdoms, with their calm yet vivacious presence. Explore the world of these gorgeous fish to see how they can infuse your aquarium with a sense of refinement and tranquility.

Description

Without a doubt, bettas, also known as betta splendens or betta fish in English, are the most well-known aquarium fish. Because their males are renowned for both their aggression and beauty, they are also known as Siamese fighting fish. Asians introduced bettas to us; they are most commonly linked with Thailand, but they can also be found in the reservoirs of Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

These fish are rare and regarded as a vulnerable species in the wild. Thanks to intensive breeding, betta populations in captivity are fortunately fairly large. Selection has produced numerous variants that are entirely distinct from one another.

Some aquarists favor females because of their generally calm disposition and the ability to keep them in a group. They are undoubtedly less attractive than males, but they are still pretty intelligent fish. Females live roughly three years, which is the same as that of males.

Because female bettas are less common than males, purchasing one can be a little more challenging. "Hens" typically cost 150 rubles, which is less.

Gourami and macropods can share an aquarium with female bettas, since they belong to the same family as labyrinths.

Behavior of female bettas

Because bettas were bred as fighting fish over the years, males with the most aggressive personalities were chosen. People who were busy were used for fights, which are now forbidden.

Women are less aggressive, but they are still capable of advocating for themselves. These fish guard their territory and have an insatiable desire for hierarchy. Although they are less serious and rarely result in injuries, clashes can occur between males and females. When it comes to other betta fish, these fish are peaceful toward other aquarium occupants; most aggression is directed towards them.

These are bottom-dwelling and upper-water species that are slow swimmers. Occasionally, you can see how they ascend to the surface and ingest air. This is because there’s a breathing apparatus within the labyrinth. Despite having gills, fish frequently float to the surface of the water when there is little oxygen present.

Appearance

The male and female can be distinguished from one another by their outward differences. They measure only 5 cm, whereas males can grow up to 7 cm. In females, all fins are shorter, while in males, fins are frequently longer and have different shapes.

Male cocks have a morph known as a "poster." Because of their short fins, males of this breed are frequently confused with females.

The colors of "chickens" are the same as those of males (blue, red, green, etc.), but they are not as vividly expressed.

This species comes in a variety of variations (crown-tailed, veil-tailed, etc.), but the males tend to exhibit them more prominently than the females, though certain breeds can claim to have exquisite exteriors on both sexes.

Depending on their emotional state, females have the ability to slightly alter their color; for instance, during the mating season, they tend to become slightly darker. The most remarkable examples can be seen in the wild, where fish attempt to establish a social hierarchy by challenging one another for dominance.

Although females are less common due to their shorter fins and duller coloring, they are still quite adorable and appealing fish.

It is evident that bettas differ sexually.

Keeping conditions

Since these fish live in Asian reservoirs in the wild, it’s best to consider their biotopes when setting up a home for them.

These little fish inhabit small backwaters and rice paddies where the water flows slowly. Because of their labyrinth apparatus, bettas are able to survive in waters with low oxygen levels.

The preferences of males and females with regard to aquarium arrangement are the same. Therefore, it’s essential to create environments that are as close to nature as possible in order to ensure their health and happiness:

• Coarse river sand is an excellent substrate, which is a beautiful and safe option. It has a small fraction, and the fish will not get hurt if it digs or rubs against it.
• Add plants to the aquarium in such a way that they zone the territory. Various caves made of stones will also be good shelters.
• Make sure that the plants do not block the surface of the water, since the fish need to periodically float to the surface in case of lack of oxygen.
• Bettas prefer a slow current, so make sure that the filter does not work too strong and the fish are not “blown away”.
• It is necessary to equip the aquarium with a filter and a heater. An aerator is not required.
• One fish requires at least 20-25 liters of water, and for each additional fish another 10 liters will be required. Remember, the more space you provide the animals, the less they will conflict.
• Although these fish are hardy, they do not like sudden fluctuations in water parameters, so it is better to do 10-15% water changes several times a week.

Water parameters in aquariums:

• temperature: 22-30 °C;
• acidity: 5.0-8.0 pH;
• hardness: 1-15 °dH.

Diseases and prevention

Indeed, "chickens" are resilient and naturally able to survive in extremely unclean waterways. However, this does not imply that you can create a swamp in the aquarium. Algae must be eliminated from the walls, the filter must be cleaned of dirt, and the water must be changed on schedule.

Fish are not immune to illness; "chickens" are no different. An unclean aquarium is a breeding ground for diseases. Bacterial disease outbreaks, like fin rot, are particularly frequent. Using secondhand aquarium supplies or new inhabitant populations can also introduce pathogens.

Although female bettas are less likely than males to engage in bloody fights, they are still susceptible to infection from cuts.

If the fish is ill, it should be placed in a quarantine tank to stop the illness from spreading or to shield it from uninvited visitors. Most pet stores sell medications for bacterial infections.

Another fairly common issue with labyrinth fish is bloating. They quit eating and start to float on their side or face up. In this situation, it makes sense to either give a small piece of boiled green peas that is impaled on a toothpick or to fast for a few days.

Green peas relieve constipation in fish by cleaning their intestines.

The primary reason behind this issue is overfeeding. Don’t overfeed the cocks; instead, offer them a range of foods. You should avoid giving dry food to a fish that is prone to bladder inflammation.

Feeding

Because they are predators, cockers need a lot of protein to stay strong and healthy. They eat zooplankton, tiny crustaceans, and insect larvae in the wild. The same food can be fed to both males and females.

Frozen live foods, such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, and daphnia, are the simplest to feed pets. When it comes to nutrients, this kind of food is superior to "dry." However, dry food is more widely consumed, simpler to locate in stores, and does not require freezing storage.

Investing in specialized betta food, which has a high protein content and encourages deeper coloring, would be a good solution.

Small portions should be fed to the fish twice a day as this will lighten the strain on their digestive systems. In a matter of minutes, the fish ought to finish all of the food.

Although they are frequently overlooked in favor of their more flamboyant male counterparts, female betta fish actually add a special blend of resilience, beauty, and personality to your aquarium. Female Bettas are peaceful and can thrive in community tanks, which makes them perfect for a diverse aquatic setup, in contrast to their aggressive male counterparts. These "queens" of the aquarium merit the same respect and attention as their more flamboyant cousins, as evidenced by their exquisite fin designs and vivid colors, which have a subtle yet alluring charm.

Breeding

Males and females can only be kept together during the breeding season.

You will need to provide the fish with the best conditions possible in order to encourage them to reproduce. Warm water, around 26 °C, and frequent, wholesome feedings, three to four times a day in small portions, are ideal.

The female will darken and the male will begin to construct a bubble nest if they are interested in one another. It might be wise to transfer his "hen" to a different container and wait for the cockerel to finish building the nest if he acts aggressively toward her.

There is nothing you can do if the fish do not get along; you will have to select another pair if this kind of fish can be very irrational.

When the nest is complete, the male shows the female more kindness and lets her examine its design. The "hen" will let the male wrap himself around her if she is content. She releases some eggs during this tender hug, and the male fertilizes them. The eggs are gathered by both parents and placed in the air nest.

The female is moved away from the male after spawning because he becomes even more aggressive toward her and has the potential to kill her. Furthermore, the female can even eat the eggs and has no parental feelings for the progeny.

Until they learn to swim, the father will care for the young. Eggs incubate for two to three days. The male will remove the dead eggs and pick up any that have fallen during this time.

The eggs frequently sink to the bottom and perish at night when the cockel is dozing off or cannot see. This can be avoided by covering the nest with a tiny lamp so that the male can continue to care for the eggs at night.

The male is removed from the aquarium as soon as the fry begin swimming because, at that point, his parental instinct quickly fades. The water level in the aquarium is also lowered.

Small portions of "live dust" are fed to the fry multiple times a day. The most important thing is that the young consume all of the food without any leftovers.

Feature	Description
Appearance	Female bettas are typically less vibrant in color compared to males but can still display beautiful hues and patterns. They often have shorter fins and a more streamlined body.
Behavior	Females are generally more peaceful than males and can be kept in groups, unlike the solitary males. They can exhibit interesting social behaviors and are less aggressive.
Tank Requirements	They thrive in well-planted tanks with gentle filtration. A minimum of 5 gallons is recommended to provide ample space and hiding spots.
Diet	They enjoy a varied diet including high-quality pellets, live or frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp, and occasional plant matter.
Compatibility	Female bettas can often be kept with other peaceful fish species. Avoid keeping them with aggressive or fin-nipping fish.
Breeding	Breeding female bettas involves creating a suitable environment and careful monitoring. They build bubble nests and should be watched closely during the process.

Though they frequently get overlooked in favor of their more flamboyant male counterparts, female bettas have a special charm and grace that they bring to an aquarium. They can bring beauty to any tank with their vivid colors and elegant movements, demonstrating that they are worthy of the same consideration and care.

These fish are remarkably resilient in addition to being gorgeous. They are a fantastic option for both beginning and seasoned aquarists because of their ability to adapt to a wide range of water conditions. Additionally, because of their calm disposition, they can live in harmony with a wide variety of other species, supporting a diverse and well-balanced aquarium community.

It’s crucial to provide female bettas a well-planned habitat in their tank, complete with plants and hiding places. This contributes to the creation of a stress-free, natural habitat that enables them to flourish and display their entire gamut of colors and behaviors.

Adding female betta fish to your aquarium can be a fulfilling endeavor. Their elegance, versatility, and peaceful nature make them an excellent option for anyone wishing to improve their aquatic arrangement. You can admire these amazing fish and recognize them as the real aquarium queens by providing them with the right conditions and care.

Video on the topic

Betta fish tank. Small aquarium without a filter for a betta fish

Two female bettas albimarginatus chase a male / matriarchy in betta

Female betta jumping

Aquarium fish. Femaka Cockerel.

The reaction of the male Petushka to the female, after I remove the barrier that interferes with him!)

No. 4. Petushki flocks #competition_scalariki