Fish lovers worldwide hold a strong love and fascination for betta fish. Their bright colors and flowing fins make them one of the most popular fish in the aquarium industry. As a result, many hobbyists are left wondering about breeding bettas at home.
Breeding betta fish is a moderately-easy process. There are specific steps that breeders must follow because of bettas’ aggressive personalities. As long as breeders follow the guidelines, breeding is not difficult.
Potential breeders should be ready to care for about 40 to 50 fry after breeding. Have sellers lined up before breeding. Ensure there are enough aquariums for each fish once they mature.
With the right tools and knowledge, breeding bettas can be a fun and rewarding experience.
Breeding Requires The Right Supplies
Breeders need the right supplies to succeed in their endeavors. A tank, heater, and decorations are the necessary basics for betta breeding.
How To Set Up Permanent Tanks
Males and females cannot be together outside of mating. They each need a permanent tank to live in when they’re not mating.
Bettas are relatively hardy fish with minimal needs — it’s not difficult to care for them. They aren’t as low-maintenance as many believe, though.
A single betta needs at least five gallons — more is better. A filter is necessary to keep the tank clean, along with a heater to keep the water warm.
Bettas need these water parameters to stay healthy:
- Ammonia: 0 ppm
- Nitrites: 0 ppm
- Nitrates: <40 ppm
- pH: 6.5-7.5
- Temperature: 75-81°F (23.9-27.2°C)
Bettas need decorations, like plants and driftwood, to be happy. They also need nutritious food designed for bettas.
How To Set Up A Breeding Tank
The breeding tank is where the breeding pair lives temporarily. It is also the home of the fry for the first couple months of their lives.
The breeding tank doesn’t need to be as full and decorative as the permanent tank. The fish will only be there temporarily.
Set the tank up in an area that is quiet with little activity. Bettas don’t like disturbances and may refuse to mate.
Tank Size
First, the breeding tank should be larger than the permanent tank — about 10 or 15 gallons. The larger space allows more room for the breeding pair and their fry to swim.
Substrate
Do not use any substrate in the breeding tank — keep the bottom bare.
Eggs may fall into the gravel where the male can’t see and rescue them.
Hiding Places
Provide many hiding spaces for the female to retreat to during mating. Hiding spots are also ideal for the fry once they hatch.
Thick, leafy plants are the best for creating hiding spaces. Pick plants that do not need to be rooted in the substrate. Wisteria and anacharis are two thick plants happy to float.
Christmas and java moss are perfect for hiding — fry love these.
Floating plants are ideal for helping the male create his bubble nest. Floating plants, like water lettuce, give the bubbles something to stick to.
Plants that touch the surface, like Brazilian pennywort, are also good for the bubbles to stick to.
Breeders can even use Indian almond leaves for bubble nests to stick to. Indian almond leaves also release tannins that boost the health of the fish.
Water Conditions
Maintaining the right water conditions is more critical than ever during breeding. Bettas may refuse to breed if conditions aren’t right, or the fry may not survive.
First, ensure the tank is fully cycled before attempting to breed. The toxic chemical spikes during the nitrogen cycle may prevent bettas from breeding. The toxins may kill the parents and will almost certainly kill the fry.
The ideal temperature for breeding is 78°F (25.6°C); a small heater is necessary.
Ammonia and nitrite levels should remain at 0 ppm. Nitrate levels should be as low as possible. Keep the pH between 6.5 and 7.5.
Water Level
Keep the water level shallow, about 5 in (12.7 in) high. Less water makes it easier for the fry to surface for air.
Filters
Some breeders choose not to use a filter, as it can damage the bubble nest and suck up the fry.
Use a turkey baster to clean up waste when not using a filter. Cleaning should occur more often without a filter.
Those using a filter should pick a sponge filter with a gentle flow to prevent damage to the bubble nest. Ensure the sponge is very fine to prevent the filter from sucking up the fry.
Humidity
The air inside the tank must have high humidity for the eggs to develop correctly.
Cover the top of the tank with a sheet of plastic wrap to create the ideal humidity. Wet the sides of the outside of the tank to help the plastic wrap stick.
Lighting
Keep the lighting low to moderate to ensure the health of the plants.
Bettas don’t like high lighting, and too much light discourages breeding.
Choose The Breeding Pair
Choosing compatible fish increases the chances of successful breeding. Breeders must choose young, healthy fish with their desired colors and tail types.
Understanding the basics of betta genetics is crucial to producing a particular look.
Breeder VS Pet Store
It’s better to choose a breeding pair from a reputable breeder than a pet store.
Pet store bettas are likely to be more stressed. They have probably been shipped a further distance. They may also have been in small cups for extended periods at the store.
It’s also challenging to determine the age of a pet store betta.
Consider The Age & Size Of The Betta Fish
Choose bettas between four months and one year of age for the best results.
Bettas under four months are still juveniles; it’s terrible for their health to breed that young.
Bettas over one year are less likely to breed successfully. Bettas over 14 months rarely produce healthy fry.
Pick a female about the same size as the male or slightly smaller. A somewhat smaller female also works. Don’t pick a female much smaller than the male; she’ll be more likely to get injured.
Males may have trouble breeding with a female larger than themselves. They can’t properly wrap themselves around her.
Choose Healthy Bettas
Breeders should choose bettas that appear colorful and healthy. Bettas should have full, long fins without tears. The fish should be energetic and have a healthy appetite.
Avoid bettas with clear deformities, injuries, illnesses, or infections.
Crossbreeding — Betta Fish Genetics
Most betta fish available from stores and breeders are Betta splendens. They are all the same species despite having different tail types. Since they are the same species, they can crossbreed.
It takes an understanding of betta fish genetics to crossbreed successfully. Not understanding how to crossbreed may lead to health issues.
A betta’s color and fin type comes from a specific cell type they get from their parents. Like other living things, bettas have dominant and recessive genes.
Dominant traits always show up in the betta. Recessive traits only show up if the betta has two copies of the recessive gene.
For example, imagine that a betta has a dominant gene for long fins and a recessive gene for short fins. While the recessive gene is present, the dominant gene masks it. The betta’s fins come out long.
Conversely, if the betta has two recessive genes for short fins, their fins will be short.
Betta genetics is a complex topic. Breeders must research it further to understand it fully.
How To Breed Betta Fish: Step By Step
Successfully breeding betta fish is simpler when there is a strategy to follow. The steps below outline how to breed bettas to produce healthy and happy fry.
1. Set Up The Breeding Tank
Follow the instructions above to set up a good breeding tank.
2. Prepare The Fish For Breeding
Breeders can’t place a male and female betta in a tank together and expect them to breed. They must first prepare the bettas for mating; the process takes about one to two weeks.
Prepare the bettas with meaty foods at least two weeks before breeding.
Don’t attempt to breed new bettas immediately. Give them at least four weeks to settle into their new environment.
Feed Protein-Rich Foods
Bettas need extra protein and nutrition during breeding, as it takes a lot out of their bodies.
Switch from pellets or flake foods to live, frozen, or freeze-dried foods. Daphnia, bloodworms, and tubifex worms are meaty foods containing the ideal breeding nutrients.
Bettas should eat more often during this time. Usually, owners feed their bettas one to two times a day. Before breeding, increase their feedings to three to four times a day.
Let The Female Explore The Tank
The female betta must feel comfortable in the breeding tank to be willing to breed. Once the tank is set up and cycled, allow her to explore the tank alone — do not put the male in the tank.
After about an hour, place a clear plastic divider in the tank to keep the female contained to one side of the tank. The divider will keep her separated from the male.
Don’t add the male to the tank until the female seems comfortable with her surroundings.
3. Introduce The Bettas
Once the female is comfortable, add the male betta to the opposite side of the tank.
The clear divider allows the bettas to see each other while preventing injury. The bettas will attack and kill each other without the divider.
They won’t be ready to mate immediately and need more time.
The Bubble Nest
A male betta fish creates a bubble nest at the water’s surface when he is ready to mate.
The bubble nest comprises pockets of air concealed in a protective layer of mucus. Bubble nests are critical to the safety and development of the eggs.
Finishing his bubble nest takes between 12 and 24 hours. The male’s and female’s colors begin darkening during this time if they’re ready to breed.
How Do You Know If Bettas Are Ready To Breed?
It’s easy to tell when bettas are ready to breed. Their physical characteristics and behaviors change.
Males create their bubble nests in preparation for eggs. They flare their fins and gills at the female in a dance to attract her attention. The colors of their bodies and fins get darker and stronger.
Females are ready to mate when they display dark, vertical stripes down their bodies. Don’t confuse these with horizontal stripes, which are caused by stress. The colors of the females’ bodies and fins will darken like the males.
Check for a tiny white tube between the anal and ventral fins. The white tube is the ovipositor, the organ that the eggs come from.
Her belly will swell with eggs, becoming much larger than usual.
Use Caution — Don’t Let The Fish Kill Each Other
Breeders must know how to tell when their fish are ready to breed. They must also be able to spot the signs of distress.
Watch the fish’s behavior, particularly the female. A female that isn’t ready to mate can get injured, especially if the male is aggressive.
A female that doesn’t develop breeding stripes is not ready to breed or interested in the male. Remove her from the tank and try breeding with a different female.
Likewise, if a female destroys the bubble nest twice in a row, she is not interested in the male.
Overly aggressive males are not suitable for breeding as they can injure the female. Males become more frustrated if females don’t display signs of eagerness.
Breeding is a stressful and sometimes dangerous time for female bettas. Keep a close eye on the male and female bettas to keep them safe.
4. Mating & Egg Production
Remove the divider once the two bettas are ready to breed and the bubble nest is complete.
The Female Judges The Bubble Nest
Female bettas judge the bubble nests. They use them to determine if the male is worth mating with.
A female will head straight to the nest and inspect it. Then, she will swim to the male to begin breeding if the nest suits her. She destroys the nest if it is unsuitable.
Put the divider back up if the female doesn’t like the bubble nest. The male should remake his nest to please her. Once he finishes his nest, hobbyists can try breeding the two again.
Do not continue trying to breed if the female destroys the bubble nest two times. The bettas are incompatible, and the chances of successful mating are slim.
The Mating Dance
The male will swim over to the female once she shows that she approves of the bubble nest. He swims all around her, flaring his fins in a dance-like manner.
The female may try to escape the male, and he will chase her.
Chasing is expected, though breeders should keep an eye on the fish. Chasing and nipping can sometimes get out of hand and severely stress or injure the female.
Then, the male and female will swim near each other, flaring back and forth. The dance-like patterns of swimming, chasing, and flaring can last up to three hours.
Leave the bettas alone during this time to avoid disturbing their courtship.
Betta Fish Spawning
The female signals to the male when she’s ready to mate. They swim closer to each other, and the male wraps his body around the female.
By wrapping his body around hers, the male can help squeeze the eggs from the female’s body and fertilize them.
The female may not release her eggs the first time the male wraps himself around her. The male may have to try several times before she produces eggs.
The female lays on her side and becomes limp while the male wraps around her. The posture may seem alarming to new breeders, as she looks like she’s dying.
The lethargic posture is normal; the female will recover after some time.
After the female releases her eggs, the male gathers them up. He grabs a single egg inside his mouth and transfers it to the bubble nest. He continues this transfer until all eggs are in the bubble nest.
5. Remove The Female
Move the female back to her permanent tank after releasing all her eggs. The breeding process is very stressful for females, who may eat their eggs.
Males also become aggressive and protective of their eggs after spawning. He won’t hesitate to attack the female, which can cause injury or death.
The male should remain in the tank to care for the eggs. He takes care of the nest, producing new bubbles if the nest suffers damage. He protects the eggs and returns them to the nest if they fall out.
Eggs hatch after about two to three days.
Males eat unfertilized eggs to reduce waste. Do not be alarmed if a male gobbles up a few eggs.
First-time fathers sometimes eat all their eggs because they are unsure what to do. Give them a second chance — it rarely happens more than once.
The father continues to care for his young a few days after they hatch.
For the first few days, betta fry cannot swim alone. After hatching, the fry fall out of the bubble nest to the bottom of the tank. Since they can’t swim, the male collects them and returns them.
6. Remove The Male
Place the male back in his permanent tank once the fry can swim independently. Fathers sometimes become aggressive and may eat their fry.
7. Caring For The Hatchlings
Betta fry need meaty, protein-rich foods for the first several weeks of their lives. Most breeders provide infusoria. Fry also enjoy vinegar eels, microworms, and baby brine shrimp.
Babies need to eat more than adults; feed three to four meals daily. Be careful not to overfeed, or the tank will get dirty faster.
Betta fry are delicate during this time; keep the tank as clean and healthy as possible.
The fry can remain in the same tank until about two months of age. At this age, they begin showing signs of aggression. They also start developing their colors.
*TIP
Each fish needs to go into its own home. Aquariums with heaters and filters are best, though some breeders place them in jars.
We don’t recommend using jars unless the breeder already has buyers lined up. Bettas cannot live in jars for long without becoming unhealthy. *
Other Betta Fish Breeding Techniques & Tips
There are some things that breeders can do to increase their success in breeding bettas. Here are a few recommendations:
- Feed the male right before removing the divider and introducing the female. They are often less aggressive with a full belly.
- Have enough aquariums ready for many more bettas than expected. Each juvenile needs their own space once they reach about two months of age. While most bettas have no more than 50 fry, they can produce hundreds more.
- Don’t breed bettas from the same genetic line. Inbreeding can cause weaker genetics or deformities.
How Bettas Breed In The Wild
In the wild, a betta fish’s breeding season is between February and June. These months are when the temperatures are warmest.
Mating in the wild occurs similarly to mating in captivity.
Wild bettas are less aggressive than captive bettas by nature. They also have more space to get away from one another if they wish.
For example, wild females are less likely to destroy bubble nests they don’t like. Instead, she may simply swim away in search of another male.
In the wild, females like to hide and watch the males as they fight for mating and territory rights. They will select the winner, as he is strongest and likely has the best genetics.
FAQs
Is It Difficult To Breed Betta Fish?
As long as the breeder has done their research, breeding is not overly complicated.
Trying to breed without knowing the keys to success is difficult. The breeding pair will likely experience injury or death.
Can A Male & Female Betta Fish Live Together?
Male and female bettas cannot live together. Males are highly aggressive and territorial and will kill the female.
A male and female should live in the same tank only during breeding.
How Many Fry Do Betta Fish Produce?
Most betta fish produce about 40 to 50 eggs. The number of eggs that become fertilized may be less.
Some bettas may lay up to 500 eggs simultaneously, though this is uncommon.
