Question about young male Bettas

[Elisabeth83]

I was at my lfs today looking at the female Betta tank and there were some real beauties in there. Anyways the lady caught a steel blue one for me and I was thinking about getting that one. Then she caught me another one and I was going to get that one was well. She then told me that the blue one was actually a male and that his fins were short because he was a young male. She said when the suppliers ship them to the store some males sneak through because they look like females.

I was a little unsure what she was telling me was true because I've seen females that look like the blue one I was going to get. I came home and have been trying to find pictures of young male betta splendens so I can see what they look like when they are young and if they do in fact look just like females.

I have found plenty of pictures of females that look just like the ones at the store but any male pics I find are all ones with long fins.

I'd love to see some pictures of young male Bettas if any breeders have some.

Thanks

 

[tekknocolor]

The main difference in looks that's really noticeable in males and females is that females will have an ovipositor spot on their bellies that males lack. Other than that, the appearance is superficial in terms of young males and females.