Bubble nester: in the wild the pair nests in water held in the leaf bracts at the base of nipa palms; the male guards the nest alone.
A conditioned pair, introduced under supervision.
30 L tank with floating plants and lightly brackish water (SG 1.003-1.005 optional).
Live foods and warm water.
Egg count not found in sources. Eggs hatch in 24-48 hours; fry stay in the nest 3-4 more days.
Infusoria then baby brine shrimp.
One breeding tank for the mahachai betta, drawn to scale from the breeding guide.
Water: 22–28 °C · pH 7–8.5
A plan from the breeding guide and an adult size of 6 cm. Tank shape is a standard 2 : 1 : 1.2 box, at least 6 adult lengths long. Check each step in the guide above.
A 120 cm rack for breeding the mahachai betta in numbers.
In total: 4 tanks, about 180 L of water. A litre of water weighs about 1 kg, so check that the floor and rack can take the weight.
Sizes are worked out from the breeding tank in the guide. Tanks fit a standard 120 cm rack when they can; bigger tanks go on their own stands.
Males are more colourful (iridescent green to blue-green on a brown-black body, two green bars on the gill cover) and grow longer fins than females.
Typical for bubble-nest builders
Feed well, then let the female see the male through glass before putting them together.
The male wraps the female and places eggs in the nest. Remove the female after spawning.
Eggs hatch in 24–48 hours. The male catches falling fry and returns them to the nest.
Remove the male. Feed infusoria and keep the air above the water warm and humid.
Move on to baby brine shrimp and microworms. Change small amounts of water daily.
Males start fighting at about 8 weeks and need their own jars.
A general guide for this breeding type. Days change with temperature and species.
Feed well, then let the female see the male through glass before putting them together.
Set up a virtual breeding tank and see what would likely happen.
An educational estimate from the breeding rules, not a promise.