Betta Broodstock

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To make Betta babies:

• average water depth around 6 to 8 inches
• pH between 6 and 7
• a pair consisting of one male and one female is placed into a “conditioned” tank separated by glass partition; it is important that they are able to maintain visual contact before the actual spawning
• do NOT add any sand or gravel, but have a few floating plants (they must be flat, like lilies, and may even be artificial objects like cellophane)
• the male will flare his fins and opercula for her and this is the sign that they are ready, then he will build a mucous bubble nest (up to 1.5 inches in diameter by 0.5 inches thick) after his courting dance
• remove the glass partition, or place the female in “his side” if the partition is permanent
• the male then embraces the female, wrapping his body around her squeezing out the eggs (the eggs resemble falling grains of salt)
• fertilization is external by his milt; he then swims down to collect the fertilized eggs in his mouth and blows them into the bubble nest
• this process of courting and spawning may last anywhere from 2 to 24 hours; embraces by the male averages at 55 with 1-13 eggs released per embrace

Gently remove the female from the tank without disturbing the bubble nest to prevent the male from attacking her. If she is battered, treat with Bettamax (TM) for a week to avoid infections.  Leaving the female in the tank will probably result in her death by the male.  She will be ready to breed again in a month, until then she should be kept with other recovering females with Bettamax (TM); no more than 10 fish per gallon of water.

“Daddy Betta” guards and “incubates” the nest for two days.  If any eggs or fry happen to fall he will pick them up with his mouth and blow them back into the bubble nest.  All the eggs hatch within 48 hours.  Fry can be left with the male for up to 10 days after hatching but should be transferred to a rearing tank and fed 24 hours after hatching. Try to get the male to eat after the eggs hatch to prevent him from eating the baby fry.  Treat him in the same manner as the female to prevent disease (but in isolation) and do not breed him for another two weeks.

Yolk sacs will sustain fry for up to 36 hours after they hatch, after that they require external foods.  Fry can be given “infusoria,” rotifers, Artemia nauplii, mikroworms, vinegar eels, ground egg yolk, or Tetra (TM) Baby Fish Food “E.”  An adopted standard by many breeders is 5 liters of live food per gallon of fish at the fry stage.  Stocking density at this age may be as high as 20 to 25 fish per gallon if water quality is optimal.

It is important to keep the water temperature stable throughout the spawn and nursing stages.  A cover may be placed partially over the tank to prevent excited fish from jumping out or from drafts.  Light could prove fatal to the eggs so be sure to keep them away from strong ultraviolet sources.  Aeration or filtering is not necessary if water quality is properly maintained.  Pumps and filters may disrupt the spawn and bubble nests, but it is important that the fry (less than 10 days old) receive enough oxygen as their labyrinth is not fully developed.  An alternate practice is to use herbivorous snails to maintain the tanks from algae overgrowth.  Hint: to save money, use large glass jars instead of aquarium tanks.

By the time the fry reach ¼ of an inch they are ready to be removed from the spawning tank and placed into larger receptacles.  Stocking density is 10 to 15 Bettas per gallon of water.  Remember to increase the quantity of food and change their diets as they mature.  They can be given adult Artemia, bloodworms, Daphnia, grindel worms, or a variety of tropical fish food flakes high in protein.  10 liters of live food per gallon of fish is recommended for adults.  Bettas are considered fully mature in 6 to 9 months and will live for two years on average if males are not subjected to fighting.

Water should be changed at scheduled intervals to maintain a high quality.  When densities are as high as those previously recommended, water should be changed twice a day for fry and every two to five days for adults.

Good luck and much happiness from us at Betta Broodstock!





Contact Betta Broodstock:

Email Betta Broodstock

Betta Broodstock
575 Mililani Street
Hilo, Hawai'i   96720

Telephone: (808) 935-0177
Fax: (414) 383-3113



Disclaimer: This is an assignment for Dr. Burke's QBA 362 class.  This is NOT an actual business (do not send business requests please).  The name "Betta Broodstock" is fictional and was created expressly from imagination.  Any similarities to an actual business entity is entirely coincidental  and  unintentional.

April 27, 2004