How to Breed a Betta Fish

Betta fish or Japanese fighting fish are fun to breed, but they are a bit of work to get it all to work out well and for you to end up with fry.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Five to Ten gallon fish tank.
• Male Betta fish.
• Female Betta fish.
• Something for the bubble nest to be built on.
• Fish net.
• Jar or vase.
• Fry Food.
• Heater (recommended).
• Plastic Wrap (recommended).

1. Set up a tank for breeding the fish. You will want a five to ten gallon tank about 1/3 of the way full. The fry (babies), when hatched won't be able to swim and a deep tank will result in more deaths. Leave the tank free of gravel or other items on the bottom. A heater can be used to keep the water a steady 76-80 degrees (F).

2. Place a floating object in the tank. This will be for the male to make a bubble nest on. You can use a plastic lid from a container such as margarine, sour cream, or cottage cheese (make sure it is washed really well). If you take a half of Styrofoam cup and cut it in half length wise this works well also.

3. Add a clump of fake plants. This will give you something that is easy to take out, but at the same time offers protection for the female.

4. After your breeding tank is all set up you can add the male fish for a day or two all by himself.

5. After your male is used to being in the tank add the female by placing her in a jar or vase and setting this inside the tank. Give them a few days of getting used to each other.

6. After a few days your male should have a good size bubble nest built and the female should have vertical stripes down her middle and an ova depositor visible. This will be a small white dot or tube hanging behind her fins. At this point they are ready to put together. Carefully add her to the breeding tank.

7. It is normal for them to nip at one another's fins and to even tear them. If there is a violent attack then remove the female. Other wise, they will nip and pick at each for a day or two.

8. Usually breeding will happen within 24-48 hours of them being put together. At this time the male and female will get close to the nest and the male will wrap himself around the female, flip her over, and squeeze the eggs out. She will be dazed for a few seconds after this while the male gets the eggs and sticks them in the bubble nest.

9. He will squeeze her several times. It is natural for the female to try and eat the eggs when she wakes up. He will work hard to keep her from doing this. After all the eggs have been removed and she goes after the eggs he will drive her from the area. This is the time to scoop her up so he doesn't kill her.

10. Place the female in a recovery tank or jar and give her lots of high quality food watching for illness. Wait a few weeks before placing her back in a community tank if she lives in one normally.

11. Wrap the top of the tank in plastic wrap to keep out any cold drafts which could easily kill your new fry. You won't be feeding the male till after he is removed, so it is okay.

12. For two to three days the male will take care of the eggs. You have nothing to do but watch. He will scoop them up when they fall out of the nest and clean them in his mouth. After about 24-36 hours they will hatch. You will see tiny black dots and small strings in the nest, these are the fry! The male will continue to keep them safe. For another two to five days they will eat the yolk that was in their eggs and their father will take care of them. Then their air sack will start to develop and they will begin leaving the nest. This is the time to remove the male because he will start to eat them. Try not to let a lot of cold air in while removing the male.

13. Place the male in a recovery tank or jar and give him lots of high quality food watching for illness. Wait a few weeks before placing him back in a community tank if he lives in one normally.

14. Feed the fry with fry food (made of dead bacteria in the form or drops). This is the safest option because there isn't the possibility of having the food eat your fry instead of the other way around. Carefully add the food according to the directions several times a day. Giving several small meals is best for them.
    
    You should also be careful not to let too much cold air in because this can cause a drop in the water temperature which is dangerous for the fry.

15. After two weeks the fry will be big enough to feed freshly hatched brine shrimp and microworms. As they get bigger feed them live foods, freeze dried foods, and frozen foods according to the size of their mouths.

16. The females can remain together until they are given away or sold. The males should be taken out once they start to fight. It will be about six to seven months before the fish start showing their beautiful colors and this is usually the time when you can get rid of them!

[Wasatch]

on 11/15/2008 Good detail to help anyone do this even as a beginner. I have bred fish often but have not tried Bettas.

[MsCecily]

on 9/17/2008 I have killed many a fish, I think this will help me next time. Thanks.