Paternal mouthbrooder. After a long courtship both adults gather the eggs, which end up in the male's mouth; he broods them 10-14 days and then releases free-swimming fry (5 mm+) that take microworm and Artemia nauplii. Males often swallow broods if disturbed.
A pair in a large tank.
150 L soft tank with caves and wood.
Live foods and clean water.
Egg count not given by sources; the male broods the eggs 10-14 days.
Fry take baby brine shrimp and microworms.
One breeding tank for the spotted betta, drawn to scale from the breeding guide.
Water: 21–26 °C · pH 5–7 · soft water
A plan from the breeding guide and an adult size of 11.5 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 spotted betta in numbers.
In total: 3 tanks, about 750 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 grow larger, are more colourful, have a broader head and longer fins than females.
Typical for mouthbrooders
Usually one male with several females. Feed high-quality food.
The female takes the eggs into her mouth and stops eating.
After about 3 weeks the female releases fully formed fry. Many breeders move her to a quiet tank first.
Fry eat crushed flake and baby brine shrimp straight away.
Fry are a few centimetres long after about 3 months.
A general guide for this breeding type. Days change with temperature and species.
Usually one male with several females. Feed high-quality food.
Set up a virtual breeding tank and see what would likely happen.
An educational estimate from the breeding rules, not a promise.