Betta Eggs

[mathiepe]

About one weeks ago I noticed that my bettas were breeding for the first time. Until then I did not even know I had a male in my aquarium as it was fairly quiet in my tank and because I have read that dominant males can usually be very agressive at times. Also in terms of appearance, he does not really look different than the two female bettas inside my aquarium.

Anyway, last week they were breeding but the bubble-nest the male betta built containing the eggs disappeared two days afterwards, I suspect that the eggs have hatched as the male defended the nest and eggs very well. I looked closely and saw no small betta-fish swim, so they were probably eaten by many other fish in my aquarium. They already did it a second time and same effect...man defending the nest very well but all is gone overnight so I can't see what happens to the eggs.

Now, I would like to keep the little bettas and make sure they don't get eaten again by other fish / father / mother. Is it possible to suck or put the eggs into a breeder cage or would that give problems?

 

[Haych]

I would suggest a seperate breeding tank - and take the girl out once breeding has been completed.

Only use a small amount of water (4" i think it was) and dad will snack on the babies when they are free swimnming

 

[aly_starh]

Hi

The eggs were most likely eaten by the dad himself or other fish.

There is a small chance you could seperate them and hatch them yourself, but its highly unlikely. The male is there to protect the eggs against fungus and also to place them back up onto the nest when they fall. Bettas have Labrynth organs, so this is extremely important.

If, however you do want to breed them. You could buy a seperate spawning tank. I would suggest researching thoroughly before you do anything.

Breeding bettas are not easy, you have got to think about various aspects time, space, money to name a few.
Also, what are you going to do with all the fy? Have you got 100 growout containers for all the males? Bettas, sometime have 250 fry at any one time, if not more.

You will need to condition them too, so they are at there fittest before the spawn. Under a 14 months is the best age to spawn them, any older, the fry will most likely be deformed.

At this present moment, i would advise you to keep the male in a seperate tank (3G min.) and up the number of females to 6, depending on your tank size.

Hope that helps, if you have any more questions just ask

 

[mathiepe]

Ok, thank you for your help Haych & aly_starh. I don't have too much space so for now I'll just leave it alone, although I want to make time for it, it's probably the best option as I don't have a seperate breeding tank at this very moment. I didn't know there were that many too, wow. Thanks again and I'll keep you posted.

 

[aly_starh]

Ok, thank you for your help Haych & aly_starh. I don't have too much space so for now I'll just leave it alone, although I want to make time for it, it's probably the best option as I don't have a seperate breeding tank at this very moment. I didn't know there were that many too, wow. Thanks again and I'll keep you posted.

Your welcome