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I have a lovely little male betta I have kept for about a year so far, and is still playful, loving, and is thriving. I honestly think that the poor little guy needs a spark in his life, and was wondering if it would be a nice thing to "lend" him a girl so he can raise some babies? I guess I would leave her in his vase (the vase is oval in shape, and the round bottom part has a diameter of a small open hand from fingers to wrist) and leave them to their ritual, and remove the girl when the eggs are out?

My question is pretty much if I should or not, as I heard that a betta as old as he is would not do so well with kids?

I am fully aware of the work it takes in taking care of so many young, but I'll dedicate all the time in the world for my little guy!!!

So what do you say?

Well The vase is probably too small. The female needs a place to hide, and u need to be able to take her out without destroying his bubble nest. I think I will right a FAQ and post it soon on betta breeding.

On this site under artilces in the freshwater files is a very good article on spawning bettas. Do your research before trying to breed.

I would say the smallest tank you could breed them in is a 5 gallon tank. But you have to think about the food you will have to have for the babies (live foods like microworms and BBS), and what you will do with all of the babies (100+). I would say- try to invest in a 10 gallon tank for breeding and you could raise the fry in there also. Good Luck if you try it, its awesome!
-kristin

~!!I lOve LiFe!!~

Oh yes, I certainly DID do my research! (I couldn't figure out how to edit our posts untill now, and didn't mean to say I would leave them in the vase *blushes* I just wanted you guys to know where he lived at the moment, lol *hides face*)

Thank you for your advice, everyone.

I already read and printed the nice, detailed instructions on raising baby bettas in the Breeding Advice board. It IS a lot of time and money, but I am still quite willing to do something to my little betta, Piloy ;D (and for myself, as if I succeed in helping him raise babies, I would be so proud!!!)

I already have a 7.5 gallon tank, plants, BS eggs (for my guppy fry), fruit flies (to condition the future betta parents), the filter, and other accessories ;D

If you guys think this is a good idea (seeing that Piloy is way past his eight-month-old prime breeding age), all I would need to buy would be the female, and the live betta fry food the instructions mentioned (and later, the many containers needed to house the males, lol).

I am basically wondering whether mating would be something Piloy would WANT, or if it would just cause him unnecessary(sp?) stress? Oh! And what is their mortality rate? Like, what percentage are expected to die before reaching adulthood?

Thanks again guys for your help!!


Last edited by guppy_gal at 16-Oct-2004 22:31

Last edited by guppy_gal at 16-Oct-2004 22:35

I have had my male betta for over a year and a half. He doesn't seem any worse for the wear in never being bred. I don't think they mind missing out on fatherhood.