Siamese Fighting Fish: Ten Tips for a Successful Reproduction

Betta splendis, know as Siamese fighting fish, or simply Bettas, are popular aquarium fish. Bettas owe their popularity to their gorgeous colors, flowing fins, and adaptability to small aquarium conditions. However, breeding Bettas is a whole new world for fishkeepers. Breeding Bettas requires more work than just keeping a single fish, but it allows you to see new behaviors and almost microscope fry, or baby Bettas, become the familiar pet shop fish.

  1. Equipment and Supplies

    • There is a short but necessary shopping list when setting up your breeding tank. Purchase a sponge or corner filter. Make sure it does not contain carbon because this interferes with fish medications.

      Get some Aquarisol or methylene blue. This prevents fungus in the eggs and fry.

      Only use broad-leafed, plastic aquarium plants. Smaller leaves are great places for food to get stuck and live plants are just one more thing to take care of.

    The Parents

    • Selecting the right pair of parents is critical for a successful spawning. Do not purchase the most expensive pair of Bettas you can find for your first spawning. Select an active pair. This is an indication of good health. Select the largest female that you can find because this is an indicator that she is full of eggs and ready to spawn.

    The Breeding Tank

    • Go easy on the aquarium decorations. Fish do not spawn in castles in the wild.

      Care should be taken in the setup of your breeding tank because it facilitates the spawning and is the place where the fry spend the beginning of their lives. Your tank should be 10 gallons, but it should only filled to the 4- to 6-inch line. You will add more water as the fry grow.

      You must add materials for the male to spawn with. Broad-leafed plastic plants or styrofoam cups work well as materials for building a bubblenest.

    Spawning the Parents

    • Bettas are somewhat unique in their parental care; most fish will eat their own eggs and fry.

      There are two major keys to the spawning. First, have food available for the fry. Fry do their best with live foods, and these can take some time to culture. Make sure you have all the food you need before you start.

      Second, set aside several hours to monitor them while they are spawning. Much can go wrong with a Betta spawning. The male may kill an unwilling partner or get tired of taking care of the eggs and eat them.