Be aware that getting quality bettas to breed can be expensive. More expensive fish generally mean that a breeder has also used selective breeding techniques. Although this isn’t a guarantee of successful breeding, it can ensure the health and quality of your fish and possible their spawn. Some elements to look for in a breeder include: accomplishments, longevity, experience, knowledge, professionalism, affiliation with betta organizations, availability, reputation, track record, cleanliness, reference. [2] X Research source Ask the breeder to let you know about the parentage of the bettas. If he can’t answer the question, you may want to consider using another breeder that keeps tabs of his bettas’ parentage. Find quality betta breeders through organizations such as the International Betta Congress. If you have friends or family that breed bettas or are familiar with them, you might ask them for suggestions, too.
Make sure that you and your breeder both have knowledge of your fish’s genetics. Knowing which traits can be inherited is important for responsible breeding to prevent generations of fish that follow from being unhealthy. Be aware that selective breeding is meant to bring out certain characteristics in a betta fish. For example, you may want to bring out black lace patterns in your betta. By choosing another betta with more distinctive lace patterns and mating it with your betta, you can bring out this particularly quality. You can apply this principle to color and fin size, too. Remember that if you’re hoping to achieve a certain goal through your selective breeding, either with fin size or color, it can take a few years and cycles for these traits to fully appear. [4] X Research source You can either use hybridization or inbreeding for desired traits. Hybridization will bring out the best traits in two genetically different parents, and inbreeding crosses two similar parents for offspring that also have the similar traits.
Be aware that a fish that is too small may be too young to breed. Aim to breed bettas that are four to twelve months old, which can help ensure that the sizes are proportionate as well as help prevent bad quality spawn. Detect sexual maturity in your betta by looking for males that build bubble nests and females that have a whitish egg spot on their underside. [6] X Research source Females are also able to build bubble nests - don’t let that fool you.
Check the caudal, or tail, fin for straightness and curvature. Good breeding stock bettas with have straighter caudal fins that are curved in opposite directions. Avoid bettas with caudal fins curved in the same direction. Look for ray branching or splitting on all of the bettas fins. The more branches or splits you have, the more supportive, larger, and beautiful finnage you will get. Make sure the betta has no traces of fin rot, which looks like ripped or fuzzy fins with red tips or near the tears. [7] X Research source
Be aware that bettas come in colors such as red, orange, yellow, turquoise, steel blue or royal blue. They can also have black or iridescent features. For example, you might find that breeding the blues with black lace features give your fish beautiful colors. [8] X Research source Ask the breeder if you are unsure of what can work best for your betta.
Remember that your bettas need separate tanks until it is time for them to breed. This keeps the fish from harming one another.
Test the fish tank water with a test kit you can buy at most pet stores. Use the test to find potential problems with water quality, such as high ammonia, acidity or low pH, or low oxygen. Fix any problems in the water. The pH level should be about 7. If it isn’t, get a chemical neutralizer at your local pet store to restore the levels back to 7. Oxygen saturation should exceed 70%. [11] X Research source If it doesn’t you may need to clean out the tank and fill it with new water or replace the charcoal filter. Make sure the water temperature it is between 50 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit with a thermometer. This can help promote breeding between your bettas and ensure quality spawn. [12] X Research source
Watch for too much movement of the water by the filter. The natural habitat of bettas is still water, and anything that moves particularly roughly water may disturb bettas and their offspring. [14] X Research source
Arrange an array of floating plants in the tank to optimize your bettas’ breeding space. You can use live or artificial plants in the tank, all of which are available at pet stores or specialty fish retailers.
Give the pair a mixture of live brine shrimp and flake food. Feed them once per day to prevent excess food from spoiling the water. [18] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source
Place the male and female in separate tanks close to one another for a day or two. You may notice the bettas showing interest in one another during this time, which is a sign they’re ready to mate.
Check that the male isn’t exhibiting any signs of distress before adding the female to the water. Bettas show stress by banging their bodies up against the sides of the tank or swimming near the surface.
Protect the female in the breeding tank with a hurricane glass or cut a Styrofoam cup in half. Gently lower this separate container into the tank and place it up against one of the tank walls. Avoid sealing the glass or cup flush against the wall, which can prevent her from swimming out to the male to breed. Give her enough space by which she can easily swim out. Make sure the male can see the female’s container, which may stimulate him to start building a bubble nest. [21] X Research source
Watch for flaring or fanning of the fins, which is a good sign of interest between the mating pair of bettas. Be aware that it can take 4-5 for bettas to show interest in their mate.
Be aware that the male may release his bubble nest on the hurricane glass or Styrofoam cup and the female may lay her eggs before she is released from the hurricane glass or Styrofoam cup. This is normal and not a cause for worry.
Check to make sure the female is ready to release eggs. This is evident when she has vertical stripes on each side of her body. Place the female on or near the bubble nest so she can lay eggs even if she released some eggs in her container.
Be aware that a female may lie still for a few moments after laying her eggs. Male bettas may also chase females away from the bubble nest when they’re done laying eggs. Put the female in her old tank or consider letting her rest for a few days in a hospital or holding tank.
Add a commercial water treatment such as MarOxy or Bettamax to prevent disease in recently bred bettas. Buy the water treatments at a pet stores or a specialty fish supplier. Separate the fish if you notice significant stress or wounding.
Put the male back in his tank or a hospital tank for a few days. Feed the fry once they’re swimming freely. Fry get “infusoria,” which is easily made by placing a lightly boiled potato in a jar of aquarium water for 2 days to culture the microscopic animals. Put some of the infusoria water in the tank with the fry 2 times a day. Allow the fry to stay together for about 7 months. If you wait longer, they may start to fight and injure one another and flaring with one another.
Consider selling the rest of the bettas, though you may want to keep the second best male and second best female as back up in case one pair doesn’t work. Keep track of the parentage of each new group as well as which bettas you plan to breed based on the traits you want to enhance. Remember that by taking the best spawn from each generation of breeding, that you are one step closer to bringing out your chosen traits.
Get your new betta from a reputable breeder. Consider swapping your young betta for one of theirs as a form of payment. This can be beneficial to you and the other breeder.
Be aware that it can take years of breeding to get the exact color or finnage you want from your bettas. Remember to be patient and keep breeding.
