1. Choose your breeding pair.

An ideal age to start breeding would be between 4 months to a year. Since a female betta can hold up to 500 eggs, it is advisable for you to select a pair which has the best characteristics especially in terms of colour and shape. While choosing a male, choose one that has a lot of energy and a strong colour, also it has to be larger than ther female. Once you notice him making a bubble nest, he is ready to breed! A female who is ready to breed would have a stomach well distended by eggs.

2. Introduction.

both male and female should first be placed in adjoining containers where they can see each other clearly. the breeding tank should be located in a quiet place where it won't be disturbed. they should be kept in the set-up for about 3 to 10 days. After which, you can introduce both male and female together into the same tank.

3. Breeding Tank.

This tank should hold at least 5 gallons, with water to a depth of about 5 inches. It should have a large leaf or a piece of foam for the male to build his nest. Place some plants into the tank so that it would provide the female with some place to hide. The male would start to build his bubble nest within a day or two, and after he is finished, he will draw the female to it. This might turn out to be a violent process.

4. The Breeding Process.

Once the female is below the nest, the male will encircle her and squeeze her. He would then fertilize the eggs as they are laid. After which, the female would seem to look dead and float to the top, while the male would swim down to gather the eggs in his mouth and place them into the nest. This process would be repeated several times until the female has finished laying all her eggs. Once this is done, the male will drive the female from the nest. When you see this, carefully remove the female from the tank without disturbing the nest.

5. Success!!!

The eggs will hatch is just over 24 hours and in about 3 to 4 days when the fries start to swim, remove to male. You may also start feeding them with newly hatched brine shrimps or daphnia. Another alternative would be microworms or finely mashed egg yolk, but this may dirty the water. You may also start to do some slight water changes by the time they reach 2 weeks old, however they are still very small so be very careful.

6. Voila!!!

When your brood has reached about 2 months old, they will start to fight. This is the time that you'll have to give them each an individual tank.