Last updated on September 10th, 2022 at 12:58 am
The types of female betta fish are often overlooked in comparison to their male counterparts, but that doesn’t mean they’re not just as beautiful and interesting! The females get no less attention from their owners than the male betta fish do, so they deserve their own list of common types.
Betta fish are beautiful, unique, and fun to have in your home, but it can be hard to choose the right female betta fish types if you’re not familiar with them all.
Betta fish are commonly kept as pets in aquariums, and they come in all shapes and sizes.
Before explaining the different types of female betta fish, it’s important to understand that all betta fish are just one species (Betta splendens). Some experts believe they are more accurately classified as a subspecies, while others believe they should be considered their own species. Regardless of how you classify them, they all share the same characteristics and can interbreed with each other.
This article will introduce you to five different types of female betta fish and give you some tips on how to care for each type so that you can pick the one that fits your lifestyle best!
Origin and descriptions
Betta fish are found all over South East Asia and are popular pets, partly because of their striking colors and patterns. There are thousands of different types of Betta you can find, which fall into six main female betta fish types: longfin, delta tail, crowntail, veil tail, double tail, and combtail.
Each female betta fish type is distinguished by specific markings and coloration. However, it’s important to note that there are many variations within each female betta fish type.
For example, a Crowntail female betta may have a small crown or a large one; its fin rays might be clear or colored; its body might be blue or red with black stripes; etc. The same goes for other female betta fish types. This makes them very attractive to hobbyists who want something new and exciting in their tanks!
Species profile
Betta fish belong to the family Osphronemidae, which includes approximately 70 species of small, often colorful freshwater fishes native to Southeast Asia. The word Betta is derived from ikan bettah, which means fighting fish in Malay. These popular aquarium fish are known for their bright colors and long fins that can be seen as they swim around a tank.
In addition to being kept as pets, some species are also raised for food or for use in traditional medicine. Common female betta fish types include crown tail betta, crowntail betta, delta tail betta, double tail betta, and half-moon betta. Other less common female betta fish types include butterfly tail (also called veiltail), plakat (short-finned), and super delta tail.
Habitat
The female betta fish is relatively easy to maintain in captivity. For one, they don’t eat very much. In fact, they usually only eat once every two or three days at most. This means that you don’t have to change their food as often as some other aquarium species might require. They do not need a lot of space either and can live comfortably in smaller aquariums.
One of the most important aspects of choosing a female betta fish is selecting an appropriate habitat. Female Bettas are tropical fish who thrive in warm waters and require at least 4 gallons of water per inch of its length. Ideally, female Bettas should be kept in tanks that include a heater to keep their environment stable. They also need hiding places for when they feel threatened by other fish or when they are resting.
Aquarium plants can serve as excellent hiding places for them, but artificial plants can also work well if placed strategically around your tank. Female Bettas prefer to have plenty of space within their habitats; a minimum tank size of 10 gallons per inch of their length is recommended. Because they are small fish, it’s not necessary to purchase a large aquarium.
However, larger tanks provide more room for them to swim around and explore. Female Betta fish are social creatures who enjoy interacting with one another. If you plan on housing multiple female Bettas together in one tank, make sure there is enough room for them all to move freely throughout their habitat without bumping into each other too often. The more space provided in your tank, the better!
Female betta fish size
They can grow up to 2.25 inches (6 cm) in length.
Female betta fish tank size
Since they are not very big, female betta fish will thrive in a tank of at least 5-10 gallons (19-38 liters) in captivity.
Tank requirements
The common female betta fish types require at least 10 gallons of water with a tight-fitting lid, a heater, and an air filter. Place aquarium gravel on your bottom tank plate and layer it up with some small rocks or marbles to give your pet some hiding spots. These are social creatures who need the companionship of their own kind and other community tankmates.
A filter will help keep your Betta clean and healthy while preventing any diseases they may contract from ammonia buildup in their environment. (Remember that Betta fish are not compatible with most tropical freshwater fish.) On top of that, you’ll want to place a few live plants in your tank for decoration as well as filtration purposes.
Finally, make sure you purchase a cover for your aquarium; if you don’t have one already, be sure to get one before adding any fish!
Female betta fish tank mates
Betta fish are notorious for being territorial, so it’s important to choose tank mates carefully. They are typically less aggressive than males, but even they may fight with other fish of similar coloration. When choosing female betta fish tank mates, make sure to select neutral or opposite-colored fish with a comparable body type. For example, a Betta splendens will have more luck as a companion with an oscar rather than another betta.
It is ideal to keep fish that live at the bottom of the aquarium, as they are unlikely to disturb your female betta fish. The following fish are good choices:
- Pygmy cory
- Yoyo loach
- Clown pleco
- Clown loach
- Panda cory
Additionally, swimming and shoaling species make good choices for the tank. In the case of aggressive females, it would prevent them from identifying a specific target for attack. Some good examples are:
- Penguin tetra
- Gold tetra
- Pristella tetra
- Redeye tetra
- Mosquito rasbora
- Black phantom tetra
- Blue tetra
Other good tank mates are Rosy Barbs, Zebra Danios, Swordtails, White Cloud Mountain Minnows, Neon Tetras, or Mollies.
Breeding
Just because different female betta fish types can make beautiful additions to your home doesn’t mean you should breed them at every opportunity. Betta fish are living creatures and need responsible care; if you neglect to provide appropriate conditions, your fish will suffer from health issues and could even die.
Their environment must be perfect for them to mate. They need clean, warm water, between 80°F and 90°F. Bettas should be fed live, high-quality foods 2-4 times a day.
It will be necessary to introduce a male to your females if you want to breed the fish. You shouldn’t mix the sexes except during mating.
The female will darken if she is attracted to the male, who will then begin building a bubble nest. Sticky bubbles coated in saliva cause bubble nests to form at the surface of the water.
Upon inspecting the nest, the female may start courting if she is impressed. It may involve biting and chasing. You will need to separate them if it becomes too aggressive.
This will lead to the female being flipped upside down. As the female releases her eggs, the male will wrap himself around her, fertilizing them. After fertilization, he will take the eggs back to the nest.
If the female lays eggs, remove her since sometimes she eats them. It takes 2-3 days for the fry to hatch. These baby fish require tiny food like infusoria.
Are they aggressive or peaceful?
While female betta fish are less aggressive than males, they will still fight. Often they will claim their territory and create a hierarchy. There is less violence in the battles than when men fight, so attacks are less likely to result in injuries. Usually, female Bettas tolerate other species well and tend to be aggressive towards other Bettas.
Female betta fish care
Bettas are some of the hardiest and disease-resistant fish you can keep, making them a great option for beginners. Because they’re so hardy, they can live in small spaces and survive with less than perfect care; their fins don’t even require that much attention. They are not delicate, finicky princesses like many think.
The type of care you need to provide is dependent on which female betta fish types you’ve chosen. For example, Veiltails will thrive in small groups while Halfmoons are better left alone. A well-planted tank is essential for most female bettas, as well as consistent water changes and a decent filter system.
Bettas can be finicky about their water conditions, so it’s important to do regular testing—at least once per week—and make sure your levels are appropriate. They also require high temperatures, so make sure your heater is working properly before adding any new fish into your tank.
5 common female betta fish types
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Siamese Fighting Fish
The Siamese fighting fish (though it is not a true species of the Betta genus) is one of several strains of fighting fish. This particularly distinctive strain has brightly colored, long fins and comes in vibrant orange, red, blue, and yellow shades. They can live up to five years with proper care. While they’re primarily sold as pets, they are also considered lucky symbols in some Asian cultures.
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The Halfmoon Betta
This female betta fish type is one of my favorites. The halfmoon betta, as it’s also known, has an extra-large caudal (tail) fin that gives her a very unique look. Halfmoons are probably best known for their wide variety of bright colors and patterns, but there’s actually more to these popular females than meets the eye.
They tend to be larger than other female betta fish types and have been bred with an emphasis on body shape rather than coloration. As such, they tend to have very rounded bodies with fins that extend well beyond their bodies when they flare them out—hence their name! They can grow up to 6 inches in length, making them one of the largest female bettas available today.
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The Plakat Betta
The plakat betta fish is one of the five most popular female betta fish types. Plakats are a type of long-finned betta. They are also referred to as plakat bettas, or simply plakats for short. Plakats have large, flowing fins and tend to be very active swimmers.
Their name comes from their resemblance to male bettas, except they lack an impressive tail fin. Their bodies are smaller than other female betta fish types such as veiltails or crown tails, but they do have longer fins. This makes them perfect for those who want an active female betta that will stay small enough not to take up too much space in their tank.
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The Marble Betta/Koi Betta
As one of the best 5 female betta fish types, marble Bettas are easy to spot because of their distinct coloring. Their bodies are clear, but with a strong, noticeable pigmentation of red, yellow or blue spots all over.
Because marbles come in so many different shades and combinations of color, there’s plenty of variety, they’re definitely one of 5 female betta fish types that no aquarium should be without!
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Delta tail betta fish
The Delta Tail female betta is a type of female Siamese fighting fish. They have a unique look, with a body shape that is long and slender. The heads of these females are smaller than other types, and they have beards. These beards are pointed, which makes them easy to identify from other types of Siamese fighting fish. The tails on these female betta fish are fan-shaped, while most other males of their species have an eel-like tail fin.
What they eat
Bettas are carnivores and will often accept flakes, freeze-dried bloodworms, shrimp pellets and similar items. However, if you want your betta to live a long, healthy life, it’s best to feed him a variety of meaty foods like brine shrimp (either live or frozen), tubifex worms, or daphnia.
Lifespan
If the water conditions are right, female betta fish can live up to 3 years in captivity.
Parasites and diseases
Despite their colorful appearance, a beautiful coat isn’t everything that makes a betta fish. Like many other species of aquatic life, they are susceptible to multiple diseases and parasites like fin rot, tail rot, and swim bladder disease.
Betta Fish can also get parasites, including anchor worms and flukes. One of their most common health problems is an eye infection known as pop-eye. This occurs when a Betta’s tear duct becomes clogged with mucus or other debris, causing one or both eyes to bulge out of their sockets. While it isn’t fatal, pop-eye can cause your Betta significant pain and discomfort until you treat it.
Some of the diseases are treatable with medication, but others can be fatal. In order to prevent your Betta from contracting a disease or parasite, it’s important to maintain proper tank conditions and avoid overcrowding.
If you want to keep your female betta fish in tip-top shape, it’s important to set up an aquarium with proper temperature, water quality, and nutrition.
Predators
Betta fish live in ponds and slow-moving bodies of water in their native habitat. This makes them vulnerable to predation from snakes, otters, small birds, and even other larger fishes like catfish. Be careful that your betta isn’t housed with other species of tropical or coldwater fish as well. A peaceful tankmate is best!
Do they make good tank mates?
Yes. Although, they should not be kept with other female or male bettas because they may fight to death. However, in a larger tank, you can keep them with smaller non-aggressive species such as neon tetras and guppies. In a community aquarium, you can also keep them with non-aggressive species like Oscars, large crayfish, and so on.
