I'm confused because I've read that the female can get a little hurt but I don't want her dead.
2007-03-12 17:27:14 · 10 answers · asked by lover of animals 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
I've got to be honest. Male bettas are wife beaters. The mating urge is tied into aggression. If you introduce the pair right you can reduce it. If you watch the pair during the look, but don't touch phase, and they are giving the right signs it can go smoothly. If you aren't careful he kill her, she'll kill him, or they'll mate and he will kill her. Keep in mind a betta takes a fair amount of time to kill another betta. Keep in mind the aggressor is just trying to drive off the other one. (Like happens in nature where a betta can just swim away.)
Honestly mating bettas isn't that hard if you read up on it. Raising the fry is the really. Plus there is the problem of what to do with several hundred off spring. (Note that generally 95-100% of the fry die the 1st time you try raising them.) If you are worried about her getting hurt what about culling her babies as you can't afford to keep them long enough to give them away.
2007-03-12 19:51:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Male Bettas are very selective of the females they breed with. When I have bred Bettas in the past I use to give my male 2 or 3 to select from. No matter what you do breeding Betta is rough on the female. Once the mating is done and the male squeezes all of the eggs out of her he will start to tend the bubble nest and very quickly chase her away so that she doesn't eat the eggs. The female is a terrible mother. The male is the care taker and father so to speak in this and you need to get the female out of the tank within an hour after breeding or the male will kill her if necessary to keep her away from the nest. While squeezing the eggs out he will wrap around her to get the eggs out. You just have to let nature take its course in this. Also make sure that the male has a good nest area to build a bubble nest. Plants that float are good also there is a ring made for breeding as well, but I always used plants. The Betta liked the natural plants better.
I have had tropical fish for many years and successfully bred Betta.
Now what the hel l did I say to get a thumbs down? Only an idiot would have done that.
By the way, Bettas are "wife beaters" as one person said. They are territorial and also very selective of the females they breed with. Being that the female will eat the eggs and also screw up the bubble nest, the male sees her as a trespasser. Not only is he protective of his territory, he is very protective of his bubble nest and the fry once they hatch. You will have to feed the fry small brine shrimp until they get big enough to eat regular food. You can get that at Petsmart ot some of the other pet stores. Good luck
2007-03-12 17:41:26 · answer #2 · answered by celticwarrior7758 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, just prepare yourself and read up on successful betta mating. Be sure to protect the female by removing her after she has released all of the eggs. If you don't, she'll probably try to eat some of the eggs, or fry, and as a result, the male will kill her, or they'll fight until they both die.
2007-03-12 17:57:31 · answer #3 · answered by bigjap2001 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All the Betta's I've ever had have died or 2 commited suicide by jumping out of their tanks.
So, I would ask..Why would you even bother mating them?
They are aggressive and I can guess you'd have to very closely monitor their behavior and be able to seperate them in a hurry if they get too rough.
2007-03-12 17:31:00 · answer #4 · answered by Kurius_Kitten 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
By all means read up well on mating needs and requirements and do not leave them unattended until you are convinced they will both be safe. It is a challenge ----you really need to know what to do afterward also if you expect to raise the fry.
Good Luck
2007-03-12 17:32:51 · answer #5 · answered by EZMZ 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Definately do the research! It's not rocket science, but being prepared is a huge key step.
Know the signs of when she's ready and when she's through with him and ready to be moved.
2007-03-12 17:31:34 · answer #6 · answered by Currie 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Trying to bring a new meaning to the term "Safe Sex"? Sounds as if you are tottering on the brink of Nervous Parent Syndrome.
Don't fret it.
2007-03-12 17:34:27 · answer #7 · answered by Beejee 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
From what I understand about them is they will try to kill each other so so you might want to use a divider and watch to be sure both are receptive and make sure she has a safe haven from him good luck
2007-03-12 17:32:14 · answer #8 · answered by mike mike 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
no
you shouldnt at all
but be cautious
yes the male is going to bite her and nip at her fins
but if you watch them
and be cautious then you would be able to save her if she gets in any danger
-Ivan
2007-03-12 20:38:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They will be ok. Otherwise, how do they reproduce?
2007-03-12 17:30:04 · answer #10 · answered by WWW.MYHIBRID.COM 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋