How to breed betta fish: A complete Guidance for a successful breeding

Betta fish are one of the most preferred aquarium fishes. With their vibrant colours and long flowing fins, they are prevalent amongst Aquarists. There are many diverse varieties of Betta fish in terms of their colour, pattern, tails shape and size.

The question that is widely spread is how to breed Betta fish? 

Here In this article, I will present a detailed description which will give you complete guidance for breeding Betta fish.

It is essential to get a piece of complete and in-depth knowledge about how to breed Betta fish before breeding them because with this you can save yourself from the unfortunate situations such as dead bettas or sick fry. 

Betta breeding tips and tricks

Why breed Betta fish

Well, the different Aquarists perform breeding for various reasons. Some of them breed Betta fish for creating some new varieties, some of them want a particular type of Betta fish variety, and even most of the Aquarists perform breeding for shows. Sometimes you generate a hobby or a new interest, and that may be the reason for you wanting to breed bettas.

Whatever the reason for you wanting to breed Betta fish, you must follow some guidelines for performing this crucial still fascinating task.

How to choose a Betta breeding pair

Selecting a perfect pair for breeding also plays a significant role when you think of breeding Betta fish. During selecting the breeding pair, think about the type of Betta you want to create. Like you should choose a breeding pair according to your colour, tail, and pattern preferences.

Betta fish breeding age is also essential because the beta should be not too old or not too young to breed. Between 4 and 12 months bettas are at their peak for breathing. Chances of success in breeding should be more in younger Betta fishes.

Another deciding feature that you should consider while selecting a breeding pair is the size of Betta fish. The size of male and female Betta fishes should be quite similar. You can choose a smaller female betta fish than male Betta but never used a large female for a smaller male betta fish.

The pair you choose for breeding should be with no signs of infection & diseases. Make sure that they are not lying on the floor of the tank and swim actively in the tank.

Betta fish breeding tank setup

Just like we humans want to live or work in a particular place that enhances our productivity. Similarly, fishes also need a perfect tank setup to breed successfully. As now you are done with selecting the betta breeding pair, now it’s time to setup Betta fish breeding tank.

The most common mistakes that usually armatures 2 is that they are attempting to breed them in the same tank. It would be great if you had two breeding tanks, the permanent home tank and the breeding tank. The breeding tank is necessary because the young fry is exceptionally fragile and needs pristine water conditions. Once they are free-swimming, you will need to remove your male from the breeding tank, so that he doesn’t see them as a threat.

Here are some tips for how to set up a breeding Betta tank-

• The tank size should provide a perfect space where Betta can hide if they need because males become aggressive when breathing. But make assured that it is not too much so they can’t find each other.
• Set your time in a place that is away from the busy area. Betta fishes like privacy when breathing so keep it in a quiet place.
• Try to add No or very less substrate so that it will become easy for males to retrieve eggs and the fry do not get stuck in it. Please don’t use any gravel, try to leave it bare-bottomed.
• Fill the tank by three to five inches of water. You can use a water heater to achieve the ideal water temperature that is nearly 78°F.
• It is better to avoid using filters because it can create a small current in the water which can destroy eggs and disturb the bubble nest. Even if you choose cleaners, try to minimise the current, don’t use a powerful filter.
• Try to create a humid environment in your tank, fathers you can use a plastic wrap.
• Try to use dim light because betta fishes need privacy during breeding.
• Water should be cleaned and appropriately cycled. This process demands almost 4 to 6 weeks, so always do this in advance.

How to breed Betta fish

Now, after creating beautiful Betta’s tank, it’s time to make sure that fish are conditioned so that they can breed adequately. With the proper conditioning, the female will produce enough eggs, and the male will have enough energy to care for them. It is suggested that you should allow a minimum of two weeks or more to condition the fish. Conditioned fish to ensure they have enough stamina and can withstand the stress which they will endure during courting and spawning. 

To accustom them, you need to feed them high-quality food in small amounts between 2 to 4 times per day.

Wrap up

By following the above tips and guidance, you can prepare a perfect environment and condition for a successful beautiful Betta fish breeding. With the above guidelines, you can reduce unfortunate and risk factors.