Expert: Lynda - 11/7/2009

Question
Hi. I want to try breeding bettas but this is my very first time. Is there an easy way of breeding and taking care of them?

Answer
Hi Alyssa,
Breeding bettas is not easy.  You must have at least a five gallon tank ready for them.  You put the female, and male in this tank at the same time.  You must also have many hiding places for the female.  The male builds his nest, and the female will try to go to him.  If he is not ready, he will chase her away with intent to kill.  You must never take your eyes off them during the spawn, as he may try to kill her at any moment.  When he is ready, he will give her a sign, she will go to him.  He then wraps himself around her pressing the eggs out of her.  She then goes back to a hiding place.  When he has finished blowing the eggs into the nest, he gives her another sign, she goes to him again.  This may last anywhere from one to four hours.  You must watch them.  When the spawn is over, be ready to remove her quickly.  She will come out of the spawn very tired, weak, ragged, and sometimes hurt.  You will have to care for her.  Give her good food so she can build up her strength.

The female does not need the male to let her eggs go.  She will drop them without the male.  

You must have a microworm culture ready for the fry.  They cannot eat anything else, as they are very very tiny.  Baby brine shrimp is too big for them to eat.  The fry start to eat when they are free swimming.  You must remove the male in about 3 days, as he will eat his fry.  Never keep the male, and female in the same tank.
Breeding bettas is not easy, and you should read up on this before breeding them.  Lots of work, and patience goes into this.  The main thing though, is to watch them, and make sure that the male won't attack, and kill the female.
There is no money to be made in raising fry.  Most pet stores order them for 25 cents each.  The fry are slow growing, and won't be ready to put on the market until 6-8 months.  You must have many containers to separate them once they get a little older, as they will attack each other.
Hope this helps.
Lynda