Welcome to the site and the hobby! It is great that you have him a heater and a filter. Many new owners overlook the fact that bettas are tropical fish and like tropical temperatures. If you want to add some trinkets, caves and fake plants (without sharp edges) are great as they create hiding spaces for your fish.
The easiest way to tell a male from a female is that the males have longer fins. If you have a long-finned fish it's a male. If you have a short-finned betta then you have to look at other characteristics. These will be easiest to see when you get your betta to flare. If you hold a mirror up to his tank, he will flare and try to fight his reflection.
Getting a female is a VERY bad idea. Male and female bettas will kill each other. They should only be put together to breed. If you want to breed make sure you do your research first. From what I hear, it's more difficult than it sounds.
A 5 gal tank is too small for him to have any buddies aside from shrimp. Bettas aren't schooling fish and don't need conspecifics to feel safe. He will be more than happy to just interact with you.
The easiest way to tell a male from a female is that the males have longer fins. If you have a long-finned fish it's a male. If you have a short-finned betta then you have to look at other characteristics. These will be easiest to see when you get your betta to flare. If you hold a mirror up to his tank, he will flare and try to fight his reflection.
Getting a female is a VERY bad idea. Male and female bettas will kill each other. They should only be put together to breed. If you want to breed make sure you do your research first. From what I hear, it's more difficult than it sounds.
A 5 gal tank is too small for him to have any buddies aside from shrimp. Bettas aren't schooling fish and don't need conspecifics to feel safe. He will be more than happy to just interact with you.
