BREEDING BETTAS

[vanillarum]

Hi gang. I'm thinking of attempting to breed the pair of bettas I just ordered. I have a couple of questions. I have a 46 gal and a 10 gal. I'm going to keep shrimp (cherry red and blue) in the 10 gal. In the 46 I have 3 glass cats, an algae eater, a dwarf puffer, 2 yellow fish that I have no idea what they are, a vampire pleco, and 2 flounder. I would like to add, eventually, 3 zebra plecos (if I can find them !), and 3-4 sewellia lineolata loaches. Now the question : can I keep the male in the 46 and the female in the 10 ? Will the female eat the shrimp ? Will the male build a nest in the 46, or will I need to move him to a motel (fish bowl) ? Thanx for any and all help.:help: Oh ya, there will also be 10 coral red pencilfish in the 46 !

 

[Lupin]

In the 46 I have 3 glass cats, an algae eater, a dwarf puffer, 2 yellow fish that I have no idea what they are, a vampire pleco, and 2 flounder.

Please post pictures of these fish for ID. What species is this algae eater?

I would like to add, eventually, 3 zebra plecos (if I can find them !), and 3-4 sewellia lineolata loaches.

Do you have plans to breed the L46 zebra plecos? I really wouldn't suggest getting them unless you plan to breed them. As for the Sewellia lineolata, you have to maximize oxygen supply and powerful currents as these will prefer both in order to thrive. If you have a specialist river tank, then feel free to get them otherwise stick with Pangios and Cobitis.

Now the question : can I keep the male in the 46 and the female in the 10 ?

Betta splendens are generally not community fish. You have a dwarf puffer in your 46g so no is the answer. If you have another tank however, then feel free to place the male betta there.

Will the female eat the shrimp ?

Yes, she will if given the opportunity.

Will the male build a nest in the 46, or will I need to move him to a motel (fish bowl) ?

If you are willing to do daily water changes and keep temperature consistently above 76 degrees Fahrenheit, then you can place the betta in the bowl. How large is it? Male bettas can create bubblenests wherever they are placed.

 

[vanillarum]

Here is a photo of the fish I do not know the name of. I have 2, have had them for over a year. Sorry about the picture quality, but when the little buggers know they're on candid camera, they're elusive as hell ! I appreciate any help you can give me. Thanx.

 

[kjr928]

A bowl will not be sufficient for the male if you're attempting to breed. Do you think that will be enough room for up to 500 fry? You need at least a 10g for the male with a piece of styrofoam cup floating at the top so he can build a bubble nest under it. Oh yeah, and no gravel or anything at the bottom - has to be bare. No filter running either, or bye bye babies.

 

[vanillarum]

Siamese ? Thanx.

 

[nmrsco]

ideally you should get another 10 gallon just for breeding the bettas heres one of my favorite betta websites
http://bettysplendens.com/articles/catview.imp?catid=855

 

[soobie]

I'm pretty sure that picture is a Chinese algae eater, because of the zigzaggy center line. Not that great at eating algae, and can be very aggressive, especially as they get older.

 

[Lupin]

I'm pretty sure that picture is a Chinese algae eater, because of the zigzaggy center line. Not that great at eating algae, and can be very aggressive, especially as they get older.

Ditto.