Table of Contents
Introduction
Breeding betta fish means preparing a male and betta fish to reproduce and produce offspring (fry). It is a complex and time-consuming process that betta experts only recommend when you have solid reasons for doing so, as it’s unlikely to be profitable.
Breeding bettas is a delicate and intricate process that is one of the most heart-tiring processes. It requires careful planning, thorough preparation, proper equipment, and a deep understanding of the fish’s needs to create a suitable environment for successful spawning.
I have gained significant expertise after being involved in this process for many years. I have always approached breeding with thorough preparation, knowledge, and the necessary resources. I feel the need for a detailed step-by-step guide on the topic to help betta lovers breed healthy bettas. However, I recommend this process to only those who are fully committed and prepared for the responsibilities and challenges involved.
One more thing— while this method has worked for me, it may need adjustments depending on individual circumstances.
Essential Supplies for Breeding Betta Fish
As said earlier, the breeding process involves plenty of equipment and accessories, which need to be ensured before starting.
Tanks and Jars
- A 10-gallon tank for breeding.
- A 20-gallon long tank for raising fry.
- Separate tanks or jars for housing the male and female bettas after breeding.
- Small jars (e.g., half-gallon jars) for separating aggressive fry later.
Heaters and Thermometers
- An adjustable heater of 25 watts set to 80°F (27°C) with LED displays.
- Glass thermometers for accurate temperature monitoring.
Filters
- Sponge filters for all tanks, especially the fry tank, to prevent fry from being sucked into the filter.
- An air pump along with a filter to maintain water quality.
Plants
- Live plants to maintain water quality and provide comfort for the bettas.
- Include small plants for the female to hide in (remove plants after breeding).
Decorations
- Bubble wrap and Indian Almond Leaves (Catappa leaves) to help stabilize bubble nests and provide tannins with antifungal properties.
- Christmas moss (or a Styrofoam cup as an alternative) to provide hiding spots and aid in bubble nest building.
- Plastic wrap to cover the tank and maintain humidity.
- A light to simulate natural conditions.
- Use an aerator set to a low bubble rate and place it far from the bubble nest.
Feeding Supplies
- Pipettes for feeding fry and performing water changes in jars.
- High-quality food for conditioning the breeding pair (e.g., bloodworms, daphnia).
Complete Process of Breeding a Betta Fish
Breeding a betta fish involves several steps, from tank preparation to caring for new adult betta fish. Here’s our detailed and simple six-step process, which has provided the best results for us so far.
1. Setting Up the Breeding Tank
Tank Preparation
- Use a 10-gallon clear plastic Sterilite tub or an empty 10-gallon tank with a lid and light.
- Fill the 10-gallon breeding tank halfway or two-thirds with treated water or up to a depth of 4–6 inches.
- Ensure the tank bottom is bare to prevent eggs from being lost.
- Avoid using gravel, as it can trap waste and harm fragile fry.
- Cycle the tank properly before introducing the bettas.
Temperature and Environment
- Let the heater run overnight to stabilize the tank temperature before introducing the bettas.
- Set the heater to 78–80°F (25–27°C) to mimic the natural breeding season.
- Add a sponge filter, floating plants, and a hide or two for the female to retreat.
- Place bubble wrap and a Catappa leaf on the water surface to help the male build a bubble nest.
2. Conditioning the Breeding Pair
Duration
- Ensure both the male and female are well-conditioned with high-quality food before breeding.
- Condition the bettas for 2–3 weeks before breeding.
Methods
- Imitate the monsoon period by providing live and varied foods.
- Use fake rain and perform frequent small water changes.
- Ensure the female becomes visibly “ripe” (ready to breed) and both fish appear healthier and more active.
Feeding
- Feed the male and female high-quality, protein-rich foods like bloodworms to condition them for breeding.
3. The Breeding Process
Introducing the Female
- After the tank has stabilized, introduce the male.
- Place the female in a separate container (e.g., a glass vase) within the breeding tank for a few days to allow the pair to acclimate to each other. You can use a glass hurricane globe (open-top) and set it inside the tank.
- After a few days, release the female into the breeding tank by tipping the jar.
- Monitor the pair closely for the first 20 minutes to ensure the male does not harm the female.
Observe the Behavior
- The male will begin building a bubble nest within 2–3 days, claiming the tank as his territory.
- The male should flare and display his fins, while the female should show interest by following him. The male could circle the female.
- The female should show signs of readiness, such as vertical stripes (though some may not display these due to melanin).
- The female may hide initially, but the male will eventually guide her to the bubble nest.
- Cover the tank with paper or cloth to provide privacy. The cover also maintains humidity, aiding egg hatching and fry development.
- If the female appears stressed, remove her and try again later.
4. Spawning
The male will wrap around the female in an embrace, squeezing her to release eggs. After each embrace, the male collects the eggs and places them in the bubble nest. The male will chase and bite the female, which is normal behavior. The female will display vertical bars on her sides when ready to spawn. This process can last up to 3 hours. Once spawning is complete, remove the female and place her in a separate recovery tank. Removing the female also reduces the chances of aggression from the male.
5. Caring for the Eggs
The male guards the bubble nest and tends to the eggs, moving them to prevent fungus. The male also reinserts any fallen eggs or fry.
Keep the tank light 24 hours daily for the first week to support egg development.
Hatching
- After 24–48 hours, the eggs will hatch into pro-larvae, with tails visible in the nest. Pro-larvae feed on their egg yolk and do not require external feeding. And the fry will become free-swimming within a few days.
- Once the fry are free-swimming, remove the male to prevent him from eating them.
- Provide the male with a recovery period in a separate tank.
6. Raising the Fry
Feeding
- Start feeding the fry specialized food or small live foods like infusoria, daphnia, or baby brine shrimp using a pipette.
- Feed them multiple times (at least 2-3 times) a day to ensure proper growth.
- Transition to larger foods as the fry grow, typically around weeks 3–4.
Water Changes
- To maintain water quality, perform daily water changes starting when the fry are 2 weeks old.
Separating Aggressive Fry
- After a few weeks, move the fry to the 20-gallon grow-out tank.
- At 3 months, separate male fry into individual ½-gallon tanks to prevent aggression.
- At 4–6 months, the fry will begin to show aggression and can be sexed.
- Separate aggressive individuals into jars to prevent fighting.
- Be prepared for the high cost of supplies, food, and tanks required to raise a large number of fry.
Challenges and Ethical Considerations
Time and Effort
Breeding bettas requires daily care, including frequent water changes, feeding, and monitoring. Fry are highly sensitive and can die from minor changes in water conditions, temperature, or missed feedings.
Overpopulation
A single spawn can produce hundreds of fry, making it difficult to find suitable homes for all of them. Many fry may end up in poor living conditions or be culled.
Cost
The expenses for equipment, food, and tanks often outweigh any potential profits from selling fry.
Inbreeding and Health Issues
Bettas from pet stores are often inbred and may carry genetic issues, making breeding them ethically questionable. Breeding should ideally be done with high-quality, responsibly sourced bettas to maintain healthy genetics.
Alternatives to Breeding
Rescue and Rehabilitation
Consider rescuing bettas from poor conditions instead of breeding new ones.
Importance of Quality Stock
I avoid breeding bettas of pet stores, as their exact age and genetics are often unknown. Instead, buy bettas from ethical breeders who carefully select their breeding pairs based on health, temperament, and desirable traits. It has been noted that high-quality stock increases the chances of producing a desirable fry that buyers will value.
Focus on Proper Care
Instead of breeding, focus on providing the best possible care for your existing bettas.
Conclusion
I repeat it once again as it deserves to say that breeding betta fish is a complex but rewarding process that requires patience, attention to detail, and proper preparation. Why are you putting yourself through these complexities if you are not fully prepared to handle the breeding responsibilities?
The only recommended thing for betta lovers is to prioritize the well-being of the fish and ensure you have a plan for the fry before starting the process. Following these steps can increase your chances of successfully raising healthy betta fry. Monitor the fish closely and be prepared to adjust your approach as needed. Good luck!
Betta Fish Breeding Chart
| Male Type | Female Type | Expected Offspring | Comments |
| Halfmoon | Halfmoon | Mostly Halfmoons, some Super Deltas | Best for maintaining the HM form |
| Halfmoon | Plakat | Mix of Halfmoons & Short-finned (HMPK) | Good for strong genetics & healthier fins |
| Plakat | Plakat | Pure Plakat offspring | More robust and active fish |
| Crown tail | Crown tail | Mostly Crown tails | Fins may vary in web reduction |
| Crown tail | Halfmoon | Mix of Half Sun & Crowntail | May get messy fin genetics |
| Veil tail | Veil tail | Mostly Veil tails | Veiltail is dominant, difficult to breed out |
| Veil tail | Halfmoon | Veiltail, some Super Deltas | Veiltail gene dominates |
| Veil tail | Crown tail | Mostly Veil tails with slight webbing | CT traits get diluted |
| Halfmoon | Double Tail | Some DT, some HM with wider dorsal fins | Risk of spinal deformities |
| Double Tail | Double Tail | Mostly Double Tails, but higher deformity risk | Avoid excessive inbreeding |
| Koi | Koi | Variable Koi patterns, some marble effect | Unpredictable results |
| Koi | Solid Color (Red, Blue, etc.) | Some Koi, some solid, some marbles | Koi pattern may fade in later generations |
| Marble | Marble | Mostly Marble, some solid-colored | Marbling gene can shift over time |
| Solid Color (Blue, Red, etc.) | Solid Color (Same or Different) | Mix of parents’ colors, some bicolor | Dominant colors (red/blue) will likely show up |
| Copper/Metallic | Any Color | Metallic sheen on offspring | Works well with dragon scale types |
| Dragon Scale | Dragon Scale | Strong dragon scaling | Risk of heavy scales affecting vision |
| Giant Betta | Any Type | Larger offspring, but size varies | Requires multiple generations to stabilize |
Common Betta Breeding Misconceptions
Misconception 1: Betta breeding is easy
Misconception 2: Any male and female betta can breed
Misconception 3: Bettas can be left unsupervised during mating
Misconception 4: Every spawn produces healthy fry
Misconception 5: Fry can eat crushed flakes or pellets
Misconception 6: A single tank Is enough for betta breeding
Misconception 7: Selling bettas is easy and profitable.
FAQs
1. How long does it take for betta to breed?
The entire betta breeding process, from pairing to the fry becoming free-swimming, typically takes one to two weeks. However, raising the fry to maturity takes 3-4 months.
2. How to know if a female betta is ready for breeding?
There are several signs to know about betta’s readiness for breeding.
i. Swollen, rounded belly (full of eggs)
ii. Visibility of ovipositor (egg spot), a small white dot between the ventral fins
iii. Vertical stripes (light-colored bars) on their bodies
iv. Interest in the male’s bubble nest
3. Do betta fish eat their babies?
Yes, it’s very common for male betta fish to eat their babies. To prevent bettas from doing so is to remove the male once the fry become free-swimming.
4. How many times can a betta fish lay eggs?
The capability of laying eggs depends upon several factors of health conditions. Typically, bettas lay eggs once or twice a year. However, in ideal condition the frequency may increase up to several times.
5. What does a betta bubble nest look like?
A betta bubble nest looks like a cluster of tiny, foamy bubbles floating on the surface of the water. Its main characteristics are;
i. Tiny, white, or transparent bubbles
ii. Floating on the water surface
iii. Sticky and durable
6. How do betta fish mate without killing each other?
It’s been famously said that betta fish can’t coexist with each other. However, this assumption concerns male betta fish, which don’t live with other male betta fish. There is some space for male and female betta fish to live with each other.
First, remember that wild bettas are not as aggressive as domestic bettas. What we see in aquariums is that male bettas have no room for other bettas, which is all about the domesticated bettas—betta splendens. They have been purposely bred for aesthetic appeal and competitive fighting, while wild betta species are generally calm and less aggressive.
In the wild, bettas have abundant hiding spots, such as rice paddies, dense vegetation, and slow-moving streams. If a conflict arises, bettas can easily swim to those hidden places.
On the other hand, in captivity, where space is limited, bettas have no other option than fighting if a dispute occurs.
Now comes the actual question of how betta fish mate without killing each other. A peaceful mating process occurs when a male betta fish builds a bubble nest near the water surface. When a female approaches, she shows interest in mating by exhibiting vertical stripes. If the male accepts her, he will flare his fins and swim in a circular pattern to impress her. Otherwise, the female will swim away as there is plenty of space in the wild. If the male accepts her, she will stay, and they will complete the rest of the breeding process.
