Um, Could Sebastian Actually Be A Girl?

[branjie]

Oh dear, it sounds really silly, but it's occured to me that my Sebastian may be a girl. I've noticed lately that he has a light coloured horizontal stripe down his body. I haven't thought a real lot about it, but knew that girls can get a stripe when they are ready to breed. Then tonight, I thought, hang on, he has this stripe, his fins are a lot shorter than Ernie's (my other CT Betta), and he doesn't make bubble nests. Could Sebastian actually be a girl? Can anyone tell me what they think?

 

[Dark Wolf]

How long have you had him/her for? and did he/she ever get fin rot?

 

[branjie]

I've had Sebastian for something like 2 weeks. He seems healthy to me. Why do you ask?

 

[xweeqtx]

I've only read about females "barring up" with vertical lines, but both male and female's can show the horizontal stress lines. The male PK I bought as a female showed the horizontal lines while being brought home and introduced etc, so yeah, it can definitely happen.

I don't think Sebastian is a girl, the fins are much longer than an "average CT female" is supposed to be, yet shorter than a CT finnage - so as Dark Wolf has asked about, perhaps he's had some fin rot or just an imperfection with his finnage..
I only say this from researching stuff, not from experience or anything, so I'd rather someone more knowledgeable through experience either agree or correct what I've said

 

[branjie]

Normally I have some paper between Ernie and Sebastian's tanks, but for a few minutes a day, I take the paper away so they can have a bit of excitement flaring at each other. I have to admit, it was after a bit of this flaring time that I noticed the horizontal line on Sebastian tonight, so I guess it could be stress. Maybe I shouldn't do the flaring time thing???

When I bought Sebastian, he was next to other Bettas who had the same finnage. They were all in jars. Probably not a case of fin rot, seeing as I don't think he would have been kept with other fish before, and it would probably be a big coincidence for them all to have had fin rot??

 

[xweeqtx]

Normally I have some paper between Ernie and Sebastian's tanks, but for a few minutes a day, I take the paper away so they can have a bit of excitement flaring at each other. I have to admit, it was after a bit of this flaring time that I noticed the horizontal line on Sebastian tonight, so I guess it could be stress. Maybe I shouldn't do the flaring time thing???

When I bought Sebastian, he was next to other Bettas who had the same finnage. They were all in jars. Probably not a case of fin rot, seeing as I don't think he would have been kept with other fish before, and it would probably be a big coincidence for them all to have had fin rot??

Think it depends on the male whether or not they should have "flaring time". Sounds as if you're Sebastian is getting stressed with it, so I'd cut down on it and maybe just do it every couple of days and see if his reaction is any better? My CT male doesn't like being anywhere near my PK and will go and sit at the surface of the water if he can see him, but he'll flare at his reflection no problem.

Could just be a finnage imperfection, as I am assuming he is from an LFS or even more likely, a chain store?

 

[MermaidMel]

His caudal fins are short but then so are Rufus and that was sold to me a 'short ray' male and even I can see Rufus is a male when I look at female anatomy on the internet, so I am sure Sebastian is male, but a short ray variety. HTH x

 

[devon_charm]

He is definatly a he, just with shorter fins. I agree with the other advice given too its all good

 

[zoekin8yg]

i also agree male, and stress lines

 

[branjie]

Glad to hear that Ernie is a boy. Now I don't have to re-name him. I'll cut back on faring time. I think he's maybe a CT crossed with another type of Betta. I got him from the LFS, not a chain one. I think he's beautiful anyway, and much more friendly than my purebred CT.

Thanks for your help everyone.

 

[Synirr]

He may also just be young with underdeveloped fins.

 

[bubblesburst80]

sounds like everyone has covered the advice,

i just wanted to say he is a gorgeous betta

xXx

 

[branjie]

Thanks bubblesburst. He is such a sweetie. Always comes to say hello and wave his little fins at me. He even kind of gives you an air/water kiss. I go up to the tank to give him a kiss, and he puts his mouth up to the glass. Also likes to be hand fed his blood worms. He's so silly, if I just drop them in the tank, he doesn't find them. As you can see from the pic, I accidently gave him a bit too much that day. I have twenty something fish, and he's my favourite.