How to sex betta pugnax..

[Tristan]

Hi guys... calling all anabantoid experts..
I've been seaching on the net... can't find anything... males are more colourful doesn't help...
I had a pair of bettas but the day i got them... 1 died.
So the one left needs a mate..
oh... btw I have nothing to compare mine to so 'more colourful' or 'longer fins' doesn't help...
thanks in advance...

[TJcanada]

I've never had Pugnax..but this is how I've understood you should beable to tell them apart...
Juvies and females should have 2 horizontal lines along the body that meet in a common basiccaudal spot and 2 stripes on the sides of the head. Adult males should have a dark bars in the caudal fin.
Needless to say it's not easy to tell the adults apart. Wish I could tell you more...hopefully someone else will have a better answer for you.

[Tristan]

Thanks so much TJ.
I think I have a girl...
btw... after being in the hobby for so many years.. I've forgotten all my fish basics... like.. where is the caudal fin?? hahaha...

[TJcanada]

http://tropical-fish.net/images/fishan1.jpg

from: Tropical Fish.net (http://tropical-fish.net/fish_anatomy.htm)

http://www.bettasrus.com/bcorner/images/fin_anatomy.jpg

From: BettasRUs.com (http://www.bettasrus.com/bcorner/diagrams.htm)

[Tristan]

hahaha... thanks TJ...