Stress stripes or patterning?

Hi folks!!! This is my boy Lito, he’s been with me 7 months now. Sassy, great appetite, curious but easily spooked and ready to fight the world.

This last month or so I’ve noticed dark brown stripes/mottling on his light blue face. Initially I thought “stress stripes” but I’ve NEVER seen them continue down his body. I read a post somewhere that some bettas are now bread specifically to have this facial striping? And maybe that’s what’s going on??

Lito is in a 10G cycled, filtered, heated, planted tank. Many caves and hidden spots for him to feel safe, only smooth stones/driftwood/decor. No other inhabitants. Diet consists of fluval betta pellets/flakes, detritus worms, fungus gnats from my cultures, and the occasional fruit fly that’s dumb enough to land on the water surface. Tank gets regular top ups as needed, aswell as 20% water changes and gravel vacuuming every 3-5 weeks (sooner if my weekly tests shows something concerning). Tank has a peat moss bag in its filter as our tap water is ridiculously high in PH and this is the best method I’ve found to keep his water balanced.

Tank is parameters are stable: Ammonia: 0 Nitrate: 1-2 Nitrite: 0 Ph: 6.5-7.5 GH: 45-50 Temp: 25 Celsius

Any and all insight is welcome!!