Stress Line Or Just Markings

[juliehainsworth]

Ok I'm trying to work out if it is a stress line or just markings on one of my female bettas! The line is just on her head and doesnt go across her body it is there 24/7 except for when she is in with a male and courting then her colour is more defined and the line goes! Is she just permanently stressed or is it normal markings for her! She has had the full lot of stress lines but that was when I first got her home and since then she has more or less remained the same! She is a turquise with an aqua iridescence and I presume its a black mask on the top of the head (no good at colours and markings sorry)! I've had her for over a month now and she seems perfectly happy in that she dives on food and plays with the other two females in the tank none are really agressive but of course there is the odd telling off here and there!

Another question I have is if I got some more females in the future would I be ok to add them with my other 3? Or would I risk fights breaking out I expect there to be sorting out pecking order but I don't want to risk actually losing a betta through stupidity! Thanks

 

[Amerce]

I have 7 females now and they share a large tank with some Apisto's, yes there is a pecking order, but if you do get another female I would suggest taking the existing females out of their tank temporarily .. re-arrange the tank slightly and then put all (including the new one) into the tank at the same time. That way there is no problems with the pecking order cause it will have to start over again.

They will all then be "new" to the tank.

Give it a go and see what happens.

 

[juliehainsworth]

Oooh thanks for that great idea! Hope it works!