Breeding Betta Splendens Fish

This is the easiest way to breed Betta Splendens Fish. From our experiences.

Choose the breeders (colors, finnage, size, etc.) to determine how the spawns look (the characteristics of the female betta fish will influence like 65% of the spawn outcome). You can choose at least 3 months old bettas as breeders. Best range of age is 3-5 months.
Pre-condition the breeders separately, feed with healthy foods (Daphnia sp. and/or mosquito larvae preferred), blood worm (small red worm live in water) will make your female betta fat thus increase the risk in breeding). Keep the water clean.
Characteristic of bettas ready to spawn:
o Male: active, built thick bubble nest, visible spots on head.
o Female: active, visible 3-4 grey vertical stripes, swollen belly.
Breeding tank of two gallon is appropriate. In our experiments, the smallest container can be used in breeding is a gallon tank (pail, actually). You can put floating plants, piece of plastic sheet, or cover the breeding tank so that the bubble nest will not be destroyed. Water can be +/- 15 cm deep.
Introducing methods:
o Easiest; Put the pair together with water plants / small PVC pipe in the breeding tank as the hiding place for the female.
o Medium; Put the female in a small floating container After the male stop acting fierce, release the female betta.
Mating is done when the male chases the female out of the nest area. That is the time when you have to remove the female, or in certain cases the male will attack the female until she dies. If the male betta eats the eggs (cannibalism is not something new) transfer the male betta.
Remove the male betta when the eggs hatch (after 36 to 48 hours). There are male bettas that take care of their fry until 1 (one) month old.
Feeding the fry is a tough job. To make it easy, just feed the fry with water fleas (Daphnia sp.) until 1 (one) month old, then you can start feeding the fry with blood worm. Observe the water surface, you may have to clean the dust covering water.