Breeding Betta splendens (siamese fighting fish)

This is the first time I tried to breed betta. After browsing through the internet and getting all the information, I have succesfully recorded the reproduction process. I would to share with everyone.

Betta splendens is one of the most wanted fish in everyone's aquarium. Breeding Bettas is not hard, though you might face problems at spawning them. They are oviparous fish, the male builds a nest in which the eggs/fry are kept for few days under the strict care of the Betta male. If you follow the next advices, you have big chances to get nice results of your Betta fish spawning.
I found out that Bettas are anabantids, (http://watershed3.tripod.com/bettas.html) belonging to a special group of fishes that have a secondary breathing organ- the labyrinth organ- that enables them to breathe air directly from the surface of the water. This enables them to live in oxygen depleted water.

That is they are able to survive in small amounts of water or in oxygen depleted pools. That does not mean that we SHOULD keep these fishes in small containers, however. Like all fishes, they need space in which to swim and to carry out their lives - and surely that is our aim in keeping them.

Yes, Betta splendens will survive in half a litre of water- but they will not thrive for long. Mature males are frequently kept in large jam jars and are often displayed that way in shops. Such commercial practices are maintained by frequent water changes to remove wastes such as uneaten food, faeces and any ammonia and nitrite build up. Using small containers is not good practice for keeping your pets, however. Let us keep fish and not torture. Any how the best condition for Betta to spawn are as followings.

STEP 1: Conditioning a pair for spawning

When conditioning a pair, feed a variety of foods - many live and frozen foods. Every day, or every other day, water changes in the container are a must, as more and better foods, together with lots of clean water, helps to get a pair into condition to spawn. Condition a pair for no less than a week, and two weeks or more if they have just recently arrived via a shipment or if they come from a pet store - the fish may have suffered from a lack of clean water and good food.



STEP 2: Setting up the spawning tank
For spawning, a ten gallon tank with three inches of water work best You’ll need a tank, a 50w submersible heater (for temprate climate) (anything larger may cook them!), a sponge filter (turned off during the actual spawning process), and add in lots of plants. Plants keep the water cleaner while the filter is turned off, as well as culturing infusoria to serve as the first food for the fry.

For a bubble-nest site, a Styrofoam cup cut in half (resembling an airplane hangar) works well. You need a tightly sealing lid for the top of the tank, as betta fry need the air and water temperatures to be the same in order to properly develop the labyrinth organ (common to the family Anabantidae). Water temperature should be around 80 degree F - no more, no less. Start this process about a week before the proposed spawn date in order to balance and stabilise the temperature. . Have a container (such as a glass lantern chimney) to put the female in, so that the male can see her but can’t get at her. Place this near the spawn site, but not touching the Styrofoam nest site.



STEP 3: Introducing the pair to the spawning tank
Place the male in a small cup of water and float him in the spawning tank for half an hour ( after the first fifteen minutes, dump out half of his water, replacing with water from the spawning tank). At the end of the half hour, dump the male into the tank. Then add the female in the same fashion, after first being sure that her container is closed so that the male can’t tip it over in his excitement. When her half hour has elapsed, place her into the glass enclosure where she will remain until she is released for spawning.







STEP 4: Releasing the female
Releasing the female from the glass enclosure too early may cause undue damage, so be patient at this stage. There are four main signs that will help you determine if the female is ready to spawn:

1. The female, when ready, will no longer be scared of the male, but will be more inclined to swim with him and even flare back.
2. Look at the female’s stomach - females always carry eggs, but when ready to spawn she will fill up hugely enough to look like she swallowed a marble.
3. The female will show vertical bars on the body indicating readiness to spawn, as opposed to the horizontal bars associated with fear or stress. This sign is not the most accurate, as pastel or opaque females don’t show any sort of bars. This sign should only be used in combination with #1 & # 4.
4. The last signs to indicate a female's readiness to spawn is that she will clamp her fins and swim with her body slanted forward, and will exhibit the vertical barring, and she will be doing a wiggling dance.






STEP 5: Spawning process
When a female is showing three or all of the signs, she is ready to be released. You should carefully take her out of the enclosure and place her away from the male in the tank. She will swim around and when the male sees her, he will flare at her and chase her around the tank. There will be some nipping of the fins - this is normal. It is not pretty, but that’s nature! Hopefully, at this point, he will have a well-built sturdy nest. The female will come out once in a while from hiding to inspect the nest. If it isn’t to her liking, she will bite at it and jump at it, destroying it.
There will a lot of chasing, nipping, hiding and coaxing but the male will resume building. That's why you have to put some plants in the corners of the aquarium in order to assure hiding places for the female. Also make sure you add some floating plants in order to help the bubble nest building.

Once the female approves the nest, she will come out doing the head-down dance, and will approach the underside of the nest. They will start the embrace. They will come at each other and circle. The male will grip her with his body and flip her upside down while wiggling and squirming. He will then tighten and go almost lifeless, at which time she releases the eggs while he releases the sperm. The embrace will last for 10 to 20 seconds.

Then the male will “come to" and collect the eggs while coating them with saliva, to spit into the nest. They will continue this process for one to three hours, although I have had a spawn last for five hours. After they are done, he will chase the female away and the female has to be taken out from the aquarium because the male will brutalize her in order to protect the nest. Put the female, for a few hours, in a jar with water where you added some metilen blue in order to prevent eventually infections caused by the wounds.




STEP 6: Daddy duties
Once spawning is complete and the female is safely removed, the male will guard the nest and any eggs that fall out will be put back into the nest.

You need to leave a light on the tank (or nearby) so that After about 48 hours the fry will hatch and the Betta male will assure they stay together in the bubble nest. After another 2-3 days the eggs will hatch and tiny (very tiny!) fry can be seen hanging from the nest a


Now daddy's job gets much harder, as the fry wiggle and fall out of the nest e frequently and the male has to keep up with them. In about two to three more days, the fry will begin to swim on their own horizontally. Now you can remove the male - his job is done.



STEP 7: Raising the fry
Once the fry are free-swimming, they need to eat lots of tiny food particles. They won’t usually eat for the first five or six days after hatching, but then you can feed live food and small flakes or pellets. “Liqui-fry for egg-layers” works great, as do micro-worms and vinegar eels. Now the filter may be turned back on (at a low rate). Keep the temperature at 80 degrees F, and leave the lid on the tank as warmth is crucial to the fry developing properly. Water changes may be started two weeks after they are free-swimming, after they are strong enough to swim away from the siphon. Keep this up for two to three months, when the young males will start to develop their characteristics - fins will elongate and aggression will increase. When the fish are three or four months old, wean them to frozen food and pelleted diet.

"Taking the Mystery out of Betta Breeding" - Review A Must read for Fish Lovers!

"Taking the Mystery out of Betta Breeding" - Review A Must read for Fish Lovers! by Charles Hamel


The earliest forms of keeping fish for pets were in the form of ponds in ancient China. The Chinese believed that Carps (Goldfish and Koi Carps) were lucky and hence raised them. These fish were bred to give rise to various beautiful sub-species. The first tropical fish to be kept in an aquarium was the Paradise fish which is still kept all over the world because of it's attractiveness. Earlier fish were reared for food and kept in ponds. The main purpose of having an aquarium is to observe its beauty and serenity, and it is reported to even reduce blood pressure. Aquariums come in various sizes and at first even a small aquarium will do, providing an interesting and fulfilling hobby.

Bring the soothing sound of a flowing stream, the sight of swaying ocean plants and the bright colors of tropical fish to your home or work. With aquariums, you can experience the beauty of the ocean without having to scuba dive or visit Sea World. These contained ecosystems are more than just a decorative piece. Keeping fish as pets takes more than just feeding them and changing the water every once in a while. Sadly, many people aren't aware of that and they just buy aquarium fish because they're attractive. After a short while the fish start to get sick and die one after the other, and the newbie would lose interest in the hobby and give it up all together. Basic knowledge of fish keeping, together with the right aquarium supplies, is crucial to the livelihood and longevity of your fish. It's important to maintain the optimum living conditions for your fish and other living things you may have in your aquarium if you are to enjoy them for a long time.

Betta Splendens, or Siamese fighting fish are one of the most beautiful fresh water aquarium fish on the market. They are one of the most recognized, and most controversial also. The debate is about the appropriateness of keeping them in small bowls, as you often see them in pet stores. In my opinion the debate is laid to rest if you just do a little research into their native habitat. Betta fish come from south east Asia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and parts of China. They are typically found in rice paddies and shallow ponds, where there is low oxygen content. The bettas are adapted to this environment by being able to obtain oxygen from the surface of the water. Bettas also love warm water, and are most active when water temps are around 80 degrees F. So going back to the debate about small bowls, yes they can survive, although keeping fish in small containers, puts extra work on the fish hobbyist. The smaller the container the fish are kept in the more often it needs cleaning. Bettas natural habitat are shallow but large, so you must keep this in mind if you decide to have one as a pet.

The Betta fish hobby is taken to a whole new level when one decides to start breeding the fish. There are also betta fish competitions around the world for those who get really serious about this hobby. So you can take this hobby as far as you would like, whether it be keeping one at home as a pet, to breeding them and turning it into a business, or entering them in national competitions.

No matter how deep your interest runs in keeping betta fish, I have not found any resource that is good as "Taking the Mystery out of Betta Breeding". The book goes in detail from the history of Siamese Fighting Fish (Bettas) to the breeding of them. It is a one stop source on all aspects of the Betta fish hobby. Tho Le will take you buy the hand and guide you from what size tank to get, what to feed your bettas, and the best and most successful ways to breed them. The book is very interesting and if there was a Betta Breeding for Dummy's book this would be it. The knowledge that Tho Li comes forth in "Taking the Mystery out of Betta Breeding" is a breath of freah air. You won't find a lot of off topic fluff added to the book, only straight forward, very informative facts on how to be successful at raising your own betta fish.

If you have ever thought that you might like to start an aquarium with Siamese Fighting Fish(bettas), do yourself a favor and don't miss this informative guide. "Taking the Mystery out of Betta Breeding" by Tho Le gets two thumbs up.


About the Author
Charles Hamel lives near Houston, Texas with his wife and two children. His makes his living freelance writing and blogging. His hobby's include cooking and music. He is a vegetarian, environmentalist, and an entrepreneur. He has always been a non-follower, always marching to the beat of his own drum, intuitive, easy going, technology geek.

Betta Fish Is The Perfect Pet Fish

Betta Fish Is The Perfect Pet Fish by Rosalinda Zamora


I still remember the first time I saw two beautiful looking fish in a friend's house. One fish was blue and the other was red, and they were swimming majestically in their fishbowls. That was my first encounter with a fish species known as Betta fish or Betta Splendens or Siamese Fighting Fish (three names that refer to one fish).

Up until today, I'm still keeping a few of them in my house, and they make perfect pet fish for my family. Every member of my family loves them.

Why do I like most about Betta fish, you may ask. Definitely, I have many different reasons, but here are three of them.

1. Betta fish are beautiful pet.

It's a tropical fish that comes with different colors such as red, blue and yellow. Some Betta fish have more than one color on their bodies. Believe it or not! I can spend hours looking at how Betta fish move in their bowls but even if you don't know a thing about Betta fish, you will be mesmerized by their colors alone.

2. Betta fish are easy to care.

Betta fish are hardy type of fish and they can live in a small container. A small fishbowl is enough to house one Betta fish, but be aware that two male Betta fish shouldn't be placed in one container. Or else, these two Betta fish might fight until death (that's why they are also called Siamese fighting fish).

3. Betta fish are responsive.

If you have a Betta fish in a small fishbowl and you move closer to the fish, you'll see that your fish will turn its head to look at you. That's what makes me fall in love with Betta fish. They are responsive to your presence and aware that you are there, unlike many other pet fish.

So, you can now consider if you want to adopt Betta fish as your family pet or for your kids. They are lovable creatures and you will know it immediately one you have a Betta in your house.


About the Author
Zamri Nanyan co-authors this article with Rosalinda Zamora. Rosalinda is a betta fish lover, who cares for her bettas like no one else. She highly recommends you to visit http://www.bettafishsecret.com/book to learn the secrets of caring your own betta fish.

History And Background Of Betta Fish

History And Background Of Betta Fish by Mike Worthington


Historically speaking, Betta Fish are said to have gotten their name from an ancient clan of Asian warriors called the "Bettah." They were given these warriors' names because about 150 years ago people enjoyed participating in a popular sport that involved the fighting of two of these warrior fish. (In fact, the sport was so popular that it was regulated - and taxed - by the King of Siam!)

One interesting note about Betta fish fighting is that, unlike cock or dog fighting in the west, at Siamese fighting fish tournaments, the actual fight was more to test the bravery of the fish, rather than a fight to see how much damage would be inflicted, or a death match.

Spectators bet on how long a particular fish would fight, and which one would give up first. (In fact, most fish would only fight once or twice, and then live out the remainder of their lives being pampered and used for breeding.)

Natural Habitat A Betta fish's natural habitat is in shallow, tropical water. This is because they need to be able to surface frequently, in order to breathe air. They can be found in nature in rice paddies, drainage ditches, slow moving streams and fresh water ponds. Betta fish have even been known thrive in large puddles! Their natural food source is insects and mosquito larvae.

How Breeding Began According to historical accounts, a close friend of the King of Siam, Dr. Theodore Cantor received a pair of breeding Bettas from the king in 1840. The doctor bred them and studied them for several years, and then wrote a scientific paper about them, giving them a Latin name of "Macropodus Pugnax." However, shortly after his paper was published, Dr. Cantor discovered that a species by that name already existed, and so the fish were renamed "Betta Splendens." Several breeding pairs of Bettas where sent to Germany in 1896 and then in 1910, Mr. Frank Locke of San Francisco California imported several Bettas to the U.S.A.

One of the fish that he received had unusual red fins - and he excitedly thought he had discovered a new species, and named it "Betta Cambodia." In reality, he had one of the first of the Betta splendens that had naturally developed new colors and characteristics through breeding.

Since that time, breeders have been able to develop Bettas with all of the vibrant coloring and varied fin shapes that we find today. Betta breeding has become a profitable and ongoing passion for many people today, many of whom started with just one or two Bettas in a small aquarium.


About the Author
Mike owns Betta Fish Expert which helps people learn about betta fish care

Beginner's Guide to Owning Tropical Fish

Beginner's Guide to Owning Tropical Fish

Are you interested in starting your own aquarium for tropical fish? Observing a colorful aquarium of fish is both interesting and relaxing. Doctor's offices are well known for featuring aquariums to provide a means of distraction for waiting patients and to reduce stress.

Perhaps you've been admiring some extraordinary aquariums yourself and imagined how restful it would be to watch the swaying plants, gentle dancing of the fish and glistening reflections of the water. Before you invest a large amount of money, here's what you should know so you can enjoy your fish for a long time.

CREATING THE PROPER ENVIRONMENT

While tropical fish are captivating and restful to watch, you may find your first attempts at keeping fish to be fraught with complications. Cleaning the tanks, proper feeding and selection of tank mates can all be causes of frustration that may lead to ill or dying fish and feelings of guilt or anxiety.

Choosing the right aquarium and companions for your fish is crucial in creating a stable environment. Some fish are naturally aggressive and will bite or even eat their tank companions. Ask about your selection at the store or research your chosen fish to determine what size of tank it needs and what types of fish it can live with.

Don't give in to the temptation to overstock your aquarium. Some fish may live peaceably with others only when they have room to move and claim territory. Too many fish will also create extra waste which will lead to a polluted environment causing disease and death.

Learning about the proper environments for tropical fish is the first step in creating a long lasting aquarium.

FEEDING YOUR FISH

The simplest way to keep fish healthy is by providing a clean environment for them. Uneaten food particles and fish waste create a toxic environment that can cause disease and death.

Overfeeding of fish is a common problem. Uneaten food and waste products will cause ammonia to build up in the water. Using foods that float near the surface allows you to observe the feeding habits of your fish. Feeding them only what they can eat in several minutes (before food begins to sink) is optimal. Several small meals will lead to less contamination of the water. Overfeeding will cause excess waste products which will contaminate the water leading to more frequent cleaning of the tank or illness to your fish.

TANK WATER

Water from your tap can contain chemicals like chlorine which can harm your fish. When starting a tank it is recommended by some fish specialists to use bottled water only. You can also purchase water cleansing products to detoxify your tap water when cleaning the tank and replacing tank water.

A properly established tank will develop an eco-system that will naturally breakdown toxins and permit healthy bacteria to develop. It is important to keep this system alive by not removing all of the tank water during cleanings. Your fish will do well with only 20-30% of the water being removed and exchanged every week.

While the green algae that grows on the tank may not harm your fish you may wish to remove it during cleanings or take steps to reduce build up such as keeping your tank away from too much sunlight, which encourages growth, and adding algae eating creatures to your aquarium.

START SMALL

New fish owners may consider starting with only one fish, such as a betta, which does well by itself in a simple one gallon bowl, without the costly setup of a heated aquarium. Learning how to care for a relatively hardy, but beautiful, tropical fish like this will allow you to learn about the care and needs of fish before investing a lot of time and money.

A simple setup like this is ideal for children, the elderly, or those who simply want to enjoy the natural beauty without the effort. Whatever you decide, learning to care for your fish will give you healthier pets that are a joy to behold!