Siamese Fighting Fish

Siamese fighting fish (Betta Splendens Family: Belontiidae) is a freshwater fish of 2.5 inches long (if bred in captivity) of many colors and varieties. It is easy to breed, but raising fry can be challenging. Most captive-bred males have long, flowing fins, while females have short fins and a pimple-like white bump below their vents. Tolerates 75-82 °F temperature range. The males are very aggressive, so make sure to have only one per aquarium. Bettas come in a wide variety of colors and are one of the most popular pet fish in the world.

Betta Splendens (Family: Belontiidae) is a bubble nester. For breeding you will need a 5- or 10-gallon tank with a cover, filled with 4 to 6 inches of water. Add floating plants or a piece of a Styrofoam cup as an anchor for the bubble nest, and plants or rocks as hiding places for the female if the male becomes too aggressive.
The brood size is about 100. The fry hatch in one to three days, and become free swimming about three days after that. Remove the male at this point, and fee the fry infusoria or specialty fry food, vinegar eels, or microworms. Add baby brine shrimp after a week. When fry are two weeks old, increase the water level an inch at a time. Some breeders suggest separating males as soon as they can be sexed.
Most Bettas stop spawning by the time they are 14 months old - important to know, since most are a year old by the time they reach pet shops.

Photo courtesy of animals.timduru.org - Animal Photo Archive

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