How to breed betta fish?

When people think of fighting fish , they usually think of two main types, namely Thai fighting fish and Chinese fighting fish . Whether it is the ponytail type, half-moon type, general type, fork tail type or round tail type, they have similarities in breeding techniques and reproduction strategies. Today we will mainly learn how to breed betta fish?

1. Problems with mixed breeding of betta fish

Although some people believe that Siamese fighting fish should not be raised together, this is not absolute. The difficulty in polyculture may be insufficient space in the fish tank or lack of adequate shelter. Although Chinese fighting fish can adapt to lower temperatures, in order to maintain good condition and color, the water temperature should be kept at least above 20 degrees. Regardless of the type of betta, keeping it in a single tank is usually the best option.

2. Gender identification of betta fish

It is relatively easy to tell the sex of a betta fish. Male bettas have longer, brightly colored fins and a flat abdomen, while female bettas have shorter fins and a significantly swollen abdomen during the breeding season. Selecting healthy, active male bettas and female bettas with the largest abdomen for breeding will help produce excellent offspring.

3. Mixed breeding and breeding behavior of betta fish

Betta fish can be raised together with other species when they are young, but as they grow in size, especially when their length exceeds two or three centimeters, their aggressive nature will become apparent. Thai fighting fish are particularly aggressive, and although Chinese fighting fish are more gentle in nature, the larger Chinese fighting fish may have the upper hand in a fight. During the breeding season, male bettas will chase female bettas, potentially causing damage to the female. Therefore, mixed breeding is not recommended unless the fish tank is large enough or has sufficient barriers to isolate it.

4. Setting up the betta breeding tank

When breeding betta fish, the order in which you put the male or female fish in is not important; the key is whether they can mate successfully without fighting. You can set up a partition board or use a clear plastic bottle in the breeding tank to observe the fish's behavior before combining the tanks. Male fish will build bubble nests on the water surface when stimulated by aquatic plants, which is a sign of estrus. The size of the breeding tank should be determined according to the breeding plan for the fry.

5. Plants in the Betta Breeding Tank

Placing floating aquatic plants such as duckweed or centipede grass in the breeding tank will help male fish build a more solid bubble nest. The male fish will attract the female fish through courtship behavior and fertilization will take place under the bubble nest. The breeding process may last from one hour to several hours. As the number of eggs laid by the female fish decreases, the female fish can be removed in time.

6. Feeding of Betta Fry

The fry can swim horizontally within three or four days after hatching, and can start feeding after seven days when the yolk is absorbed. It is necessary to prepare opening food suitable for small fry, such as green water, paramecium or super small brine shrimp. Pay attention to the water quality and food supply, as well as the growth and competition status of the fry, and decide whether to raise them fully or let them compete naturally.

In short, through these steps, the breeding process of betta fish can be smoother, and at the same time, attention should be paid to the feeding and management of small fish fry. Do you have any questions about betta breeding?