Female's stripes

[FalconStorm]

Okay, from what I've read, females develop black stripes on their bodies when they're ready to breed, but I thought these stripes were up and down, not running the length of the fish. Recently, I bought a crowntail female. She was a beautiful deep blue color. Well, in the couple of days I've had her, she's developed two black stripes on her body from head to tail and her color has faded to more of a steel blue than the royal she first looked like.

Is she sick? Did I do something wrong? Are these the breeding stripes I've read about? Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.

 

[GSD]

they could be stress bars that the fish get when theyre stressed

 

[FalconStorm]

Yikes. I was afraid of that. She IS in a community tank. I think I'll move her to the split ten gallon for a little while. I think I'll look that up online too.

 

[GSD]

whats in the communtiy

 

[cation]

You might just want to leave her for now. What else is in the tank, how big is it?

She may just be stressed out from the move and the new water and company. Having said that, out of my 10 or so females, I do have one that is nearly always striped up. Now, she's pretty happy, doesn't get in any fights, eats like a little pig - so I figure it's just her personality.

BTW, you're right - breeding stripes are vertical, not hortizontal!

 

[lvlyldyuk]

most of the female betta's i have seen in my lfs's have these stripes on the bodies, from head to tail rather than vertical, does that mean they r all stressed?

 

[cation]

Yup, that's usually what it means.

 

[lvlyldyuk]

how do u stop them getting stressed then?
as my female has them

 

[Joby]

One of my females has this too, she hardly ever colours up but when she does she's gorgeous she isn't unduly picked on or anything so I guess she's just a nervous girl

 

[wuvmybetta]

Recently, I bought a crowntail female. She was a beautiful deep blue color

It wasn't that little four ray girl I've been admiring at Fish Paradise,by chance? If so, she's gorgeous and I'm so glad someone finally bought her!

 

[FalconStorm]

It may very well be. That's where I got her. I've actually had my eye on her for a week and a half now. The spikes on her tail are just perfect and so beautiful. If she's gone the next time you're in there, the likelihood is I've got her. I've named her Tricia. I guess I could try to get some pics of her up. She's in the split ten gallon right now. I went ahead and moved her and the two boys that are in there can't see her since there's an open gap between them. Her stress stripes faded within moments of the move, so I know she was stressed out in that other tank.

I'm not sure if it was that particular tank or if it was being in a community, period. I want to make her a part of a female tank I have plans for but if it stresses her out like that, she'll find herself with her own little one gallon tank. I don't want any of my little girls stressed out. Poor baby. Her color is coming back too. She's so beautimous.

Does anyone know if males ever get stress stripes like that, or do they just flare and attack whatever is bothering them? Those stripes are kinda useful, since they can tell me if my girls are majorly stressed out. They're really obvious.

 

[cation]

Yes, males can also get stress stripes. In my experience, it's more common in younger males.