Female bettas are smaller, and duller in color. Their fins are are also considerably shorter, but they do have similar coloration patterns as the male. The female will have mild striping along the sides of her body. She grows to a maximum size of about 2 inches. Although she doesn't get the size or color, the female often live longer than the male by several months.

If you want to buy a betta fish from a store, you might need to know that usually people sell 6 months old bettas. The average betta fish lifespan is about 2 to 3 years, but sometimes these tropical fish live up to 5 years if water conditions are ideal and food is optimal. The lifespan of a betta fish depends on how well cared for it is. So be sure to take care of your betta fish.