How to Make Money Breeding Bettas

Betta fish, also known as Siamese fighting fish, are a beautiful variety of tropical freshwater fish. Bettas are popular pets, appreciated for their vibrant colors and interesting activity. However, because they often fight each other to the death when placed together in a tank or bowl, they are best left by themselves unless you wish to breed them. Because betta fish are prolific breeders, it is possible to start a business selling the babies, as long as you plan ahead.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 fish tanks,10-gallon
  • Aquarium heater
  • 2 fish bowls
  • Fish shelter
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Instructions

    • 1

      Locate buyers for your betta fish before you begin the breeding process. Contact local pet and fish stores and ask them if they are interested in purchasing betta fish from you after they have hatched. In addition, ask friends, family and acquaintances if they are interested in purchasing betta fish. Betta fish are fighters so they need to be separated once they become large. This requires having many small containers available to house them. Knowing your buyers in advance eliminates this concern.

    • 2

      Place a 6- to 12-month old male betta fish in a container near a similarly sized 6- to 12-month old female betta fish in a separate container. Allow them to see each other but not have contact for four to 10 days. Feed them both high-quality betta fish food once or twice daily.

    • 3

      Set up a 10-gallon fish tank. Place five to six inches of water in the tank and use a heater to keep the water between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Place at least one fish shelter in the tank so that the female has a place to hide from the male.

    • 4

      Place the female in the 10-gallon tank for a few days by herself before introducing the male betta fish. Place the male in the female's tank. He should begin building a bubble nest near the surface of the water with 48 hours. Observe the mating process, if possible. During mating, the male wraps his body around the female until she releases her eggs. He then carries the eggs to the bubble nest. This occurs several times until all of the female's eggs are released. The female becomes visibly enlarged once mating has occurred. Once mating has ceased, remove the female from the tank and place her in a separate tank.

    • 5

      Watch the betta fish eggs for signs of hatching. The male may eat some of the small fish, but he should stay in the tank with the hatchlings for two to three days. At this time, remove him from the tank and place him in a separate container. Allow the betta fish to grow for up to one week more before selling them to your buyers for a profit.