Betta Breeding Question

[Sonofaglitch]

I have the tank set up, a very egg-filled female, and one happy boy in the tank. He's building his bubble nest already, and he's only been in there maybe 8 hours, as well as showing the female lots of attention (with her flirting right back, complete with vertical barring and head bowing). My question is, how large should I wait for the bubble nest to be before I release her into the tank itself? (She is in a glass lantern inside the tank while they "court".) Right now the nest is maybe an inch and a half around. I figured to wait until it is at least 3 inches all around. Should it be bigger than that? Any input is welcome and appreciated, as this is my first time attempting to breed them.

 

[sammyp]

hiya,

I've bred betta's a couple of times and it would seem the male is just as happy to build the nest as he goes along, during the actual spawning. be aware though that if the female is not satisfied, she will trash the bubblenest. If that happens, remove her and let him start again. Make sure that filtration is turned down to a trickle (are you using a foam filter?) or it will break up the nest. Otherwise, provided all the parameters are ok, i'd say let them go for it! good luck

 

[Sonofaglitch]

As of right now I am not using any filter at all, because the male I'm using is very uncomfortable with any filtration. Instead as the fry grow I am going to do small water changes and use a small python to clean the bottom of the tank. I've read mixed reviews on this method but based on the preferences of the breeding pair, it seems the best way to go until the fry are hatched (should they produce). I have yet another question. They gave all signs of being ready and I released the female...but is it normal for her to sit in a corner of the tank with her face to the top of the water?

 

[sammyp]

I'd still suggest having a foam/sponge filter in there for when the fry are free-swimming. you can do loads of W/changes anyway as this makes them grow REALLY fast!:}

Keep an eye on the interaction between your female and male. If she really does just mope around and shows no further interest in him, best to seperate them again for a coupla days and condition (pref on live foods, but good quality flake/granules will work as well).

If she starts flaring back at your boy, expect to see a mating dance, real soon!

Also, have you provided any plant cover for the female? Whilst a small amount of fin-shredding is normal, the males in some cases go as far as to kill the female if she is not ready to spawn. Make sure she has somewhere to hide, just in case! Kinda harsh aren't they?

Well, good luck!

 

[Sonofaglitch]

I'd still suggest having a foam/sponge filter in there for when the fry are free-swimming. you can do loads of W/changes anyway as this makes them grow REALLY fast!:}

Keep an eye on the interaction between your female and male. If she really does just mope around and shows no further interest in him, best to seperate them again for a coupla days and condition (pref on live foods, but good quality flake/granules will work as well).

If she starts flaring back at your boy, expect to see a mating dance, real soon!

Also, have you provided any plant cover for the female? Whilst a small amount of fin-shredding is normal, the males in some cases go as far as to kill the female if she is not ready to spawn. Make sure she has somewhere to hide, just in case! Kinda harsh aren't they?

Well, good luck!

No harsher than I am. I was planning on adding a sponge filter only after they were done and free swimming. The male I'm using hates filters even if they're barely circulating the water, and will sit at the bottom on the opposite side of the tank. Since he's been moved into this tank, even before the female was added, he was more active and bubble nesting. Today, he has built a fine bubblenest and I re-intro'd the female to the tank, using the glass chimney to separate her. She has plenty of plants to hide in, and she's a big girl as well, so I'm not too worried. Right now his advances are all very "calm", his flaring is from the side and he's swimming with his side to her, curving his body into an "s" as I was told to look for. She's got the vertical barring (although it's hard to see as she has a pale pink body) and flares back at him...I think she's just playing hard to get! Well, we'll see. Thanks for the advice. I'll be sure to post when anything else happens!