Betta Coccina Breeding Tank

[Sylvan]

Today I moved Split Fin and Big Daddy into the new tank. The Salvinia is growing nicely and I picked up another plant about a week ago that has tripled in size already so along with the other plants already in there I'm quite happy.
On a slightly sadder note I lost Solid Maybe just after my last post. I decided to worm them as I realised I hadn't done it when I got them and it appears she had a large worm burden that went toxic internally as they died off. The others passed some smaller worms but seem fine.
Since Solid Maybe passed, Split Fin has become more aggressive with the other two females which has resulted in a decent chunk out of Filter Girl's tail and she also had a confrontation with Boss Man before eventually backing down. I think they may be glad of a break from her and I suspect she may end up permanently in the other tank.

 

[Sylvan]

Split Fin just after displaying to Big Daddy who isn't quite in the mood yet. I love the Coccina eyes, they are truly stunning with that electric blue glow, also very useful for picking out a dark coloured fish against a black background.

 

[Retired Viking]

Their eyes are very pretty, like red eye tetras eyes that seem to glow

 

[Sylvan]

The first few bubbles of a nest have started to appear. For a while I was getting worried he was going to build it by the filter as he seemed to like spending time there but he has moved to the other side of the tank and, after inspecting both corners thoroughly, has picked the front left corner. Split Fin is definitely ready to spawn again, she is displaying to him and flashing the breeding colours.

 

[Retired Viking]

You should photo document it.

 

[JuiceBox52]

You should photo document it.

That would be so cool! I'd love to see photos!

 

[Sylvan]

Here's the only half way decent photo from last night. They're due a water change today so I'm going to raise the water line to the bottom of the lid, I have it an inch below at the moment but when I bend to look in the tank I get blinded and my phone hates it for taking photos so hopefully once it's higher I can get better ones. Split Fin was in the middle of flaring and dancing at him, Big Daddy just looks decidedly unimpressed.

 

[Retired Viking]

He is playing hard to get

 

[Sylvan]

He is playing hard to get

Ha this time he is. The last time they spawned in the main tank he was doing the chasing, he'd go looking for her, do the dance then zip back over to where he'd built the nest on repeat until she came to inspect the nest.

 

[Sylvan]

Few more photos from tonight. First one is both fish displaying then Big Daddy with the beginnings of his nest and finally another one of Split Fin, just because. Again apologies for the poor quality of the photos.

 

[Retired Viking]

This is making me want a betta more, I never tried mating them just had males.

 

[Sylvan]

This is making me want a betta more, I never tried mating them just had males.

I always thought my dream fish tank would be some massive thing with something like an arrowana in but since getting these guys it's now turned into a dream room filled with different Betta species. If I had the room to separate off the male fry as they grew, I would attempt breeding my Betta Splendens pair but no room to do it. That is the great thing with the Coccina, I can have a group of them.

 

[Retired Viking]

I was at Petco a few days ago and they had a young male they called Blue Boy, less than half the size of the others and for 2.99. I would have bought him if I had a tank I could put him in. Right now I am dealing with guppies that are going after my ghost shrimp when they shed their exoskeleton. I caught them killing one yesterday.

 

[Sylvan]

I was at Petco a few days ago and they had a young male they called Blue Boy, less than half the size of the others and for 2.99. I would have bought him if I had a tank I could put him in. Right now I am dealing with guppies that are going after my ghost shrimp when they shed their exoskeleton. I caught them killing one yesterday.

2.99?! I think that's a sign to get a 5 gallon tank set up haha. Poor shrimps.

 

[Sylvan]

I was hoping that when they spawned I would be able to get photos for you all as the last 3 spawnings have been in the late evening but when I went to feed them before bed I noticed Split Fin was looking a bit battered and the moment she came into view Big Daddy went on the offensive. Checked the nest site and there are eggs in the nest so Split Fin has been removed and the tank wrapped in cling film. The hood on my other Primo tank is good at keeping the humidity in but in the Primo 60 it's not as snug a fit so out came the cling film. I have got one photo for you, Big Daddy with his nest so now it's a waiting game to see if we get any fry out of this spawning.