How does it work?
Betta breeding is a fascinating spectacle requiring preparation and patience. The male builds a bubble nest at the surface where the eggs will be placed.
The male alone tends the nest and eggs, until the fry are free-swimming.
100–500
eggs
Per spawn
24–36
h
Incubation
3–5
days
Yolk sac
6–8
months
Maturity
🎯 Prerequisites for success
- ✓Both parents in excellent health
- ✓Male 6–18 months (ideal 8–12)
- ✓Mature female with visible egg spot
- ✓Soft, slightly acidic water (pH 6.5–7)
- ✓Temperature 27–28°C
- ✓Breeding tank: 20–40 L, shallow
- ✓Floating plants for nest
Male Betta surfacing — building his bubble nest
© Unsplash — free to use
Conditioning
🐟 Conditioning the male
- →Live/frozen foods, 2–3×/day for 2–4 weeks
- →Pristine water quality
- →Brief exposure to another male 10 min/day
- →Ready sign: spontaneous nest building
🐠 Conditioning the female
- →Same intensive feeding protocol
- →Rounded belly swollen with eggs
- →Visible egg spot under belly
- →Vertical stripes = receptivity
Spawning
Prepare the breeding tank
20–40 L tank, water 15–20 cm, 27–28°C. Floating plants. Very gentle or no filtration.
Introduction of breeders
Introduce the male first (24h). Place the female in a transparent container. Watch courtship.
Bubble nest building
The male builds a nest under floating plants (12–48h).
Spawning
Release the female. The male wraps around her. Eggs and milt released. Lasts 1–3h.
Remove the female
After spawning, remove the female immediately. The male may kill her.
Egg & fry care
🥚 Incubation (24–36h)
- •Do not disturb the male — he guards
- •No vibrations, bright lights or shocks
- •Stable temperature (27–28°C)
- •White eggs = fertilised; grey = not
🐟 Free-swimming (Day 3–5)
When fry swim freely → remove the male.
- •First foods: infusoria, micro-worms
- •Day 7–10: brine shrimp nauplii
- •4–6 small meals per day
- •Gentle changes: 5–10%/day at same temp