How to Mate Beta Fish
Breeding beta fish can be done at home when the proper conditions are in place, but requires close attention and care.
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Things You'll Need
- Male beta fish
- Female beta fish
- Fishbowl or small aquarium
- Cup or small container
- BettaMin pellet food
- Freeze-dried blood worms
- Live or frozen brine shrimp
Instructions
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The Breeding Process
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1
Isolate the female from the male beta and condition her for at least a week before mating by alternating different types of food. Twice a day, give her BettaMin pellet food, freeze dried blood worms and live or frozen brine shrimp by adding the food into the tank. Change the water in the tank or bowl frequently, keeping the temperature lukewarm. When the female is ready to mate, her belly will swell above normal size with eggs.
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2
Allow the male a few days in the breeding tank to build a nest of small bubbles, which will appear on the surface of the water.
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3
Place the male beta in the tank with the female. The male will begin aggressively engaging the female, chasing her around the tank and nipping at her fins. If this is overly traumatic for the female, remove her and try the process again in several days.
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4
Continue to supervise as the male embraces the female by wrapping his body around her as she releases her eggs into the water. The male releases sperm as well, fertilizing the eggs. This should last roughly 10 to 20 seconds. The fish may repeat the process for several hours. The male will then take the eggs in his mouth and spit them into the bubble nest.
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5
Immediately after mating, remove the female from the tank so the fish will not harm each other.
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6
Continue to supervise the male as he tends to the eggs. Within two to three days after mating, his saliva will cause the eggs to dissolve and the fry will begin to emerge.
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7
Remove the male after another two days, when the fry are able to swim independently.
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1
Tips & Warnings
The beta fry may not eat for five to six days after hatching, but can be fed small live food or pellets.
Do not leave the male and female beta fish together unsupervised or at any point other than during mating. The male may harm or kill the female.
