Betta – Female

The female Betta is a type of “Siamese” Fighting Fish. These fish have been bred over the years to enhance the fins and remarkable variety of colors of the males, as well as making them increasingly combative. Therefore, only one male should be kept in a tank; however, smaller, shorter-finned females may be housed together with caution. In addition, a male and a female should only be housed together temporarily for breeding purposes. Females can be as colorful as the males, although, they rarely have the long finnage that is seen with the males.

An ideal environment for the Female Betta is an aquarium that holds a steady temperature and does not contain tank mates that may nip at their fins. Provide an aquarium of at least 10 gallons if housed with a male Betta in order to reduce aggression.

Once laid by the female, the eggs are tended by the male in a bubble nest. Fry appear in about 24 hours and must be fed very small food initially, such as crushed or powdered flakes and newly hatched brine shrimp. Fry will also take finely chopped hard-boiled egg yolk.

A carnivore, the Betta will eat all types of live food as well as freeze-dried flakes and frozen foods.