Bettas have spawned!

Saturday, I went ahead and put them in the same tank with her in a livebearer breeding trap. It was standing vertical with the slotted bottom as a side, so that my female would have air at the top.
Left them together like that overnight. They both seemed pretty calm the next morning. I let her out around noon. Neither of them realized it for 5 minutes! After they decided they weren't going to kill each other, I left them alone and went to the store. When I came back an hour later, they were spawning!
Now I have little bettas hatching! Poor papa keeps swimming up and down, bringing the little boogers back up to the nest. Active little things, aren't they?

"winddancir" wrote in
message . ..

Saturday, I went ahead and put them in the same tank with her in a
livebearer breeding trap. It was standing vertical with the slotted
bottom as a side, so that my female would have air at the top.
Left them together like that overnight. They both seemed pretty calm
the next morning. I let her out around noon. Neither of them realized
it for 5 minutes! After they decided they weren't going to kill each
other, I left them alone and went to the store. When I came back an
hour later, they were spawning!
Now I have little bettas hatching! Poor papa keeps swimming up and
down, bringing the little boogers back up to the nest. Active little
things, aren't they?


--
winddancir

Sounds like fun. I've read that removing the female and lowering the
water level is the next thing to do (to make life easier for the male to
do his job).
--
www.NetMax.tk

Yes, the female is removed after spawning. If not, he may/will kill
her. He's just doing what comes natural, as in the wild the female is
chased off, in a tank...she has no place to go and is attacked
constantly. Females often eat the eggs or fry, that's why the male is
"defending" the brood against her (Or so he was programed to think so).
As for the water level.....
It should have been only 4-5 inches high already and no need to lower
it any more than that.
However, I would like to ask if "Winddancir" knows the steps to come
and has a microworm culture going already, or other first foods set to
go?

Originally Posted by NetMax

Sounds like fun. I've read that removing the female and lowering the
water level is the next thing to do (to make life easier for the male to
do his job).

I hadn't filled the tank up all the way, so the water was/is low. She was removed later that night, as he had chased her away from the nest.

Now, poor papa is getting too tired, and about half the fry are at the bottom. Every so often, I see one swim up to the surface. Papa Sparky is doing his best, but it is a very large spawn, I think between 200 - 300 or more. He is constantly darting around, catching the falling ones, trying to scoop up the ones at the bottom, and frantic because his nest fell apart! Poor Sparky!

I hope they make it to the free swimming stage soon, because Sparky needs a break! Then I'll step in and take care of them for him. I think it's another day or possibly two before the fry are free swimming. sigh...

Originally Posted by Tynk

Yes, the female is removed after spawning. If not, he may/will kill
her. He's just doing what comes natural, as in the wild the female is
chased off, in a tank...she has no place to go and is attacked
constantly. Females often eat the eggs or fry, that's why the male is
"defending" the brood against her (Or so he was programed to think so).
As for the water level.....
It should have been only 4-5 inches high already and no need to lower
it any more than that.
However, I would like to ask if "Winddancir" knows the steps to come
and has a microworm culture going already, or other first foods set to
go?

Thanks for posting, Tynk. I value your opinion.
The water level is about that. Constant heat slightly varies between 80 to 82, between night and day. Can't help that too much. And yes, I have not one, but TWO microworm cultures! This may be my first spawn, but I did my research first! I used Maroxy as a fungus deterant. I don't remember right now how much I used, but I followed the directions.
Next step is when fry are free swimming, and papa goes in his own tank to save his sanity! Those babies get too much for him to chase.
I will be feeding twice daily. Not touching the water unless it gets icky. Then carefully clean it with finger on end of siphon. Don't want to suck up babies.
If you see something you feel is totaly wrong, let me know! I enjoy comparing ways of caring for our wonderful finned family members!

Okay, I think about half of them were free swimming this morning when I looked in there before work. Little boogers are tiny! There wasn't as many clinging to the cups that I stuck in for them. He was doing better about scooping them up last night. I think if I see most of them zipping around tonight, Sparky will go back into his bachlor pad.

I think this first time went pretty okay. I will definately be spawning bettas again. But not until these little guys (and gals) are bigger!

Sounds like you're doing a fine job.
If you need any help or have Q feel free to email me directly as well.
= )
I just got a glance of your post after this one....sounds like things
are fine.
It's so rewarding when done right. Many will try without doing the
research and end up killing either the parents or all the fry. So sad.
= (
However, you did what you needed and are doing a fine job. You were
well prepared and that's half the battle.
Now you'll get to watch these ity bity pieces of flying lint grow into
magnificantly colored creatures. Pretty cool. = )~

Congratulations on the spawning! I'd give you a cigar if it was
appropriate - maybe I could send you one? Just kidding - I never smoke
and never have smoked yet.... Again - congratulations and good luck,
and I hope you raise some excellent healthy fry! Later!

Originally Posted by Tynk

Now you'll get to watch these ity bity pieces of flying lint grow into
magnificantly colored creatures. Pretty cool. = )~

snipped
LOL! My grandmother looked into the tank this morning. She saw all of them suspended in the water and said "I know those are fish, but it looks like it's (the tank) filthy!"
I was thinking more like a galaxy with little fish stars scattered everywhere!
Papa Sparky was so calm about them swimming all over. He gathered up a mouthful, spit them out under the cup, and then just watched as they swam away!
Both Mama Beauty and Papa Sparky are doing well. Since this was my first time, I did use my lfs bettas. I didn't want my first time to be with my really nice ones that I bought from a IBC breeder, just in case I really screwed up! Next time, though, I'll see if Blaze and Sweetie will spawn. And if Sweetie plays her little flirting game, I'll take her out and put in Frisky! But all of that will have to wait until this spawn is bigger and I am finding homes for them. A lot of my friends would like one or two, and I'll be sure to let them know how to take care of them nicely!
Thanks to everyone who's posted, esp. Tynk! and Tynk, I don't have a way to get your email. I post through fishkeepingbanter.com and they don't list nonmember's info. I think you might be able to send an email to me through them, but you can always post and I'll catch it sooner or later!

Okay, I think about half of them were free swimming this morning when I
looked in there before work. Little boogers are tiny! There wasn't as
many clinging to the cups that I stuck in for them. He was doing better
about scooping them up last night. I think if I see most of them zipping
around tonight, Sparky will go back into his bachlor pad.

Make sure you pay extra attention to Sparky after you move him. Sometimes
the male gets despondent and depressed when removed from the fry and he may
need a little extra attention from you.

--
John Goulden