New 'baby' Betta - Growth Progress Pics. :)

First some pics:






I want to say that I have not been active here in quite some time, but I am not a brand new member. Sadly, my last betta Opalescent has passed on. He wasn't that old, or at least I had him just a few months over a single year. He is the shortest lived Betta I have ever had. I think maybe he had bad genes, and/or was old when I got him. Anyway, enough of that...

I got a new 'baby' Betta this evening. He is approximately 1 inch long from the tip of his nose to the base of his little tail fin! I've never had a Betta this tiny!

The cups at the store were labeled, and some did say female and were the same size as my new fish. However, the label on mine just said 'Fancy Betta, Assorted'. I know he/she is a crowntail. But that is about it. I can't tell for sure if this little one is male or female.

I did look for an egg spot. This fish does have a white spot in between the ventral fins. However a quick online search said males can have this too. So... I dunno!

This fish does have some horizontal lines, but he/she didn't when I first picked up the cup. I assume the change in environment has caused some stress. Hopefully the little one will enjoy the 5 gallon tank. <3

I know my pictures are not the best, as my fish photo-taking skills are poor. But if anyone here thinks they can tell the gender, that would be great!

ALSO, I am hoping to get some tips about food. I got a fresh container of Omega One Betta Buffet pellets. And I also picked up some HikarI Betta Bio-Gold as they looked tiny. I have some frozen bloodworms and some frozen spirulina Brine Shrimp too. Will these be OK for a Betta this small? Do I need to crush the pellets? IF I give any bloodworms, I know those are FAR too big now... would I cut them up? Any advice is appreciated!

Thanks for reading!

 

Don't feel bad I have 14 of them and still can't tell the difference between male or female. Lol. I just kind of guess. With the food you may have to experiment a little to figure out if the pellets are too big.

 

LOL ok.

I am eager to watch this little one grow. Can't wait to see how he/she turns out!

 

I have some frozen bloodworms and some frozen spirulina Brine Shrimp too.

Awww, so tiny and adorable. Congratulations! I don't have very much experience with Betta's, but I do know of a tiny food that might do. Frozen cyclops are available and they are tiny, tiny, tiny, and a good source of protein.

I'd actually like to ask you about foods if that's ok. I just got my first Betta a few weeks ago, and he may also be young as he's not much more than an inch, less his glorious tail. I also have a reef tank and lots of frozen goodies for small mouthed fish and corals, the cyclops included.

I've asked a time or two if either of these foods are safe for bettas, and while I've gotten good diet advice, nobody has given me a yes or no on these. From your post, I think you might be able to.

Frozen mysis/brine shrimp mix, gutloaded with spirulina - Good?
Frozen mysis gutloaded with phytoplankton - Good?

I'm a little leary as these saltwater options wouldn't be part of a natural diet, but I know they contain healthy ingredients.

 

Definitely a female. The shorter fins and the stress stripe gives it away. The stripe is usually only visible on females.

 

Definitely a female. The shorter fins and the stress stripe gives it away. The stripe is usually only visible on females.

So even this young/small of a fish the males have long fins?

Thanks for your time!

 

So even this young/small of a fish the males have long fins?

Thanks for your time!

Younger males usually end up having smaller fins, and some males just have small fins anyway due to their variety. That being said, the stripe makes me feel like it's definitely a female, as I've never seen a male with one.

 

I've asked a time or two if either of these foods are safe for bettas, and while I've gotten good diet advice, nobody has given me a yes or no on these. From your post, I think you might be able to.

Frozen mysis/brine shrimp mix, gutloaded with spirulina - Good?
Frozen mysis gutloaded with phytoplankton - Good?

I'm a little leary as these saltwater options wouldn't be part of a natural diet, but I know they contain healthy ingredients.

Thank you for your reply! I will look for that and see if my store carries it.

I have to be honest, I am not 100% sure on those foods. However, I would think that the shrimp/spirulina would be good. It's supposed to be a healthy food (the spirulina) and adds nutrition to the shrimp.

I have no idea about the phytoplankton though. Sorry!

Younger males usually end up having smaller fins, and some males just have small fins anyway due to their variety. That being said, the stripe makes me feel like it's definitely a female, as I've never seen a male with one.

Thanks so much! I'll take pictures as my little one grows. I'm excited to have one this young and watch it grow.

 

Not sure, but I think my little one could end up a male. I am fairly certain I can see some 'beard' when the gills move. I understand you all say males don't have stripes. But I have read on several sites that the stripes are camouflage for the young bettas and this goes away as they age.

I am still unsure of course, but I am 90-some percent sure I am seeing something black (like the beard) when the gills move.

(Yes, this fish has the white 'ovipositor'. I've also seen many sites that say young males can often have a false one as protection from older males. >> Is this true?

 

Hope it's ok that I add some more pictures. These are from today (Feb 25th) about 2 weeks from purchase date.



Took this one first. As you can see the stripes are pretty much gone.

However, once spooked...


The stripes come back if my baby gets spooked. (He or she didn't like the camera.)

I'm wanting to keep taking regular pictures and show his/her growth and changes. I'm enjoying my little 'baby' Betta very much. I've never had the pleasure of getting one at such a small size/young age. I hope you all will enjoy my regular updates!

(Still no real name, just 'Little Fish' until gender is 100% known.)

 

One month since purchase today!

This fish just hates the camera though! He/she is now a beautiful brilliant blue and the stripes are never there, unless it gets upset. Every time I get the camera close enough to the tank it stripes up on me. *grr* Of course today is fasting day for my little one, so maybe this is my fish's way of getting back at me. lol!

 

A few more update photos:



Not the clearest , but this one shows Little Fish's fins nicely.



And this is the clearest from today. Both Little Fish and I were getting frustrated with one another so I gave up.

I wish I could get a shot of "him" very clear that shows the beard I see. It is obviously there as the fish is breathing. Maybe if I can get a new/better camera soon I will be able to do so. Little Fish is quite active and thus very difficult for me to photograph!

 

Almost two months since purchase today!

I have started calling her (him?) Little Sapphire now instead of Little Fish.

I added a DIY craft mesh 'log' hideout to the tank today. And while Little Sapphire doesn't have her/his fins flared out here, it's the best picture from today's attempts:
(You can Zoom this .)



I'll try again tomorrow to get a better shot. Those fins are still growing!

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PS - I did also get this picture, but she/he is now tired of the photo shoot and is angry with me and the camera.

 

Oh my goodness, what a cute timeline!!

Little Sapphire is a great name, too---strikes me as male but I could be completely off!!

 

It's been a while, so I will update!

I am now fairly certain Little Sapphire is female. The fins are not growing much in length now. Also, she is still quite small, still the smallest Betta I have owned. I assume she may grow more in body size within the year.

Also, I got a new camera! But still can't get good pics.



I think now that I know what setting to use I might be able to get better fish pictures in the future. But Little Sapphire was quite tired of me 'chasing' her around the tank with the camera when this was taken. *oops*

 

So, it's not been too long since I last posted an update. She has obviously not changed much in the past couple of weeks, but I do have a couple of decent photos to show:



Probably one of the best shots I've been able to get of her so far!



This one isn't the clearest, but I love the reflection.

That is all!

 

Looking good!