Questions about Bettas...

[Tenorplayer2008]

I have grown to love the fish formally known as the Siamese Fighting Fish, more Commonly known as Bettas. I would like to start breeding them, but I have some questions first...
1: Is there a water temperature that they like best for breeding?
2: How long from the time the eggs are layed(on average) until they hatch?
3: Do I take the female out After they hatch or Before?

Any other tips would be greatly appriciated, other than the answers to the questions above...
Thanks for your help!

[TKOS]

I haven't breed them myslef but I do know that the female should be removed as soon as all the egg lating is done. The male should take care of things from that point on.

[Leopardess]

Be aware that breeding bettas is more complex than breeding some other fish for the following reasons:

They are already very common and easily found. Most stores will not accept young bettas because they have enough trouble selling the ones they have already.

Bettas can spawn about 300 eggs. That can mean you've got to find a place for up to 300 bettas - and males must be kept separate once they start to mature. That can mean you would need to find and maintain 150 quart containers, in which one male would be placed per container. Or, you would need to buy one very large tank and divide it into many smaller compartments - and run the risk of spreading disease.

It costs quite a bit to do all of this - and often isn't fully made back.

"Regular" petstore bettas arent the best of stock - and are so common that you'd be more likely to sell breeder quality bettas born of breeder quality parents.

Try looking at www.topbettas.com for pictures and a chart on which color parents will make which color babies and other info.

[Lazersniper]

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40387

[Beeker]

Are there any chances of finding a good beta at a pet store? I plan on getting a beta for the first time and don't want to spend a lot on my first one. Are pet stores any good for getting any fish? I am planning on a couple cories, platies and a beta. How are my chances of getting good quality, or at least decent quality, fish?

[Tenorplayer2008]

Thanks for your help, your links came in a great help...I may not breed them after all, but is there any fish that I can breed without having a houseful of aquariums? I have a 29-gal. almost to capacity, a 10-gal. with only one Betta and an empty 55-probably going to hold a couple oscars, but there is no water in it yet...

[Leopardess]

Beeker - as a pet, yes! There are lots of handsome bettas out there. Just look at my website. Its just that if you are planning on breeding them, there are already so many "average" bettas out there that you're more likely to sell more "fancy" bettas - like the kinds at topbettas. I think my bettas are all rather adorable :D

As for quality fish, it depends on where you go. Check out all of the stores around you and look for the healthiest fish. Its a kind of crap-shoot. I don't think platies and bettas will mix though...

Tenor - Um....well...most fish have lots of babies at once. Now, if this is up your alley, you can breed most fish (even bettas) if you plan on feeding the majority of the fry as live food and keeping only a select, nice few.

[TKOS]

I let my platies breed but I also let the fry get eaten. I have no way to get rid of fish fry or room to keep them. My cories lay eggs a lot but then the eggs get eaten which is fine by me.

The best thing for you to do is to have a large number of a peaceful fish, like guppies or platies, lots of plants and hiding spots and fry will soon arrive.

[greenday04]

Beeker I got my betta at Petco, he has been doing good since I got him the week after Thanksgiving. I know to many this doesn't seem like a long time. I just got the brightest, most active one. I know my local Petco doesn't have them now.

TKOS, question, How do I know what sex my cories are? I suppose there is no way of knowing unless one lays eggs. What are the signs of pregnancy or egg laying?

[Swimfins]

I setup a new tank, 66g, and moved alot of my fish to the big tank which left room in the 25g for Billy, my betta. I put him in the next day. He looked around slowly, appearing a bit confused. Swan thru the plants, then confronted my 2 pearl gourami, that put out their feelers to 'feel him up' (I guess he was toooo pretty) ;) He looked a bit uncomfortable, and crouched down in a corner while the female gourami checked him out with her feelers.

After that, the gourami (pearls, very peaceable as compared to the other types) went back to shmoozing the plants and ignored him.

I watched for a couple hours to make sure things were ok. At the end of the day he took up residence in a hygrophilia plant. When he saw me next day, he came over to see me, but I sensed he wasn't happy. Later in the evening, I moved him back to his bowl complete with fake flowers, that he has lived in for a couple months. To make a long story short, next day he blew me a bubble nest. He is a people fish, and I think he missed the attention he has with us humans who sit at the computer.

A happy ending for Billy, as he watches me type this, he's sitting on a stem of his silk flowers ( I hate plastic), too cute.

[greenday04]

Great story about your betta!! Sometimes things are better left alone.

[TKOS]

Yes, a fine story.

As per the question of sexing cories. Well in my tank the female is by far the biggest of the cories. I only have three but she is definatley bigger. I think this is common for cories but I can't say for a fact.

[Paccula]

definately a great betta story ^^

as for the corries, I hear if you look at them from above the females will be rounder. I plan to get 2 males and a female for my tank eventualy. I won't try to breed them, but if they feel like going at it, I'd rather them have the chance!

[Swimfins]

Bettas are by far the most personable fish I've met :)

Ypou'll get to know the cory female, yes she's round and chubby and the male is narrower. He also has a longer more pointed top fin.

[Beeker]

I have a Petco too. I'll check them out. There are a couple other stores around too. I get a little nervous about the smaller stores. I haven't found a good one yet. They tend to be a little shady around here.

TKOs, my goldfish breed too. I let them get eaten but 4 (1 from the first batch of eggs and 3 from the second that I decided to save just to experiment on) survived. They are doing quite well. A very hearty bunch!

[gman52]

used to have two, in a divided 2.5 gallon tank. they were good for a day untill one got through. i walked in and saw the fight. i immeadatly seperated them, but they both died of their wounds.

currently have no bettas, and don't plan to for a while