Bubble-nester. The male builds the nest under a leaf, in a tube or among floating plants; both parents normally help with brood care and do not usually eat the fry, which take microworm and Artemia nauplii once free-swimming. Needs very soft, acidic, dim conditions.
A conditioned pair in a species tank.
15-20 L blackwater tank with peat, leaf litter and floating plants.
Soft acidic water, low light and live foods.
Usually fewer than 20 eggs, sometimes up to 50. Eggs hatch in 24-72 hours and stay in the nest 3-4 more days.
Fry take infusoria and baby brine shrimp.
One breeding tank for the persephone betta, drawn to scale from the breeding guide.
Water: 22–27 °C · pH 4–6
A plan from the breeding guide and an adult size of 3.5 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 persephone betta in numbers.
In total: 7 tanks, about 205 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 intensely coloured (blackish with light green iridescence on the fins) and develop longer fins than females; females are browner.
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.