LifeBear
Fish Crazy
I have been thinking for a long time that I would like to try my hand at breeding bettas. That is why I bought those ebay femmes a few months ago. I have been researching methods, advice, set-ups, etc for about a year, probably more (I didn't mark the date on my calendar).
I also have been trying to think of some way to make extra money. Not to get rich, mind you, but something so I feel like I am contributing. (I know full well that I already contribute. The laundry will not wash itself. But there are 20 years of society telling me I need to make money to be worth anything. I am trying to overcome this.) So, since fish keeping is a hobby and since fish can be sold (I am certainly proof of that) I decided maybe this would be something of a cottage industry, me and my fish.
Weird thing is, even though blues are my favorites, I have the strong feeling I should breed Diana first. She is my red double tip crowntail female. Go figure, I have never been psychic, but this is a strong feeling so...why the heck not? Anyway, back to the story...
I have grounded myself from ebay and aquabid. You know how you hear those horror stories of women who just bid and bid and buy and buy and can't stop? Well, it was not quite that bad...but we might have been on that road. But none of the males I already have are right for Diana. (Honestly, I am still grumpy about the crowntail males I bought on aquabid. They were NOT as pictured. I don't really want to breed any of them. Well, maybe Zed, but not right out of the gate.) So, I am looking for a male, but cannot mailorder...not a good spot to be in.
I had given up on finding anything worthwhile at the lfs, even if the owner does get some of his bettas from a local breeder.
Today was different, the betta/jedi mind powers called out to me...and he was sneaky...
}<>"You need feeder fish for your turtles."
"I need feeder fish for my turtles."
}<>"You still have A LOT of store credit at the LFS"
"I still have a lot of credit at the pet store"
}<>"Look down into the (bigger than Walmart) cups on the register counter...see the flowy fins...pretty boys, yes?"
"Ooo, the bettas are very nice looking today"
}<>"Here I am, near the back...over here..."
"Hey, a red one...wow, he's a crowntail..."
}<>"I have another surprise for you, Ma'am...look closer as I flare at your finger..."
"WOWZER!!! He has double points! This is the perfect fish to breed with Diana!"
Wish me luck...conditioning for the potential mom and dad starts tomorrow.
I am calling him Padre, to send as much good mojo toward the endeavor as I can. I'll post a pic as soon as I can get the feisty guy to stand still.
I also have been trying to think of some way to make extra money. Not to get rich, mind you, but something so I feel like I am contributing. (I know full well that I already contribute. The laundry will not wash itself. But there are 20 years of society telling me I need to make money to be worth anything. I am trying to overcome this.) So, since fish keeping is a hobby and since fish can be sold (I am certainly proof of that) I decided maybe this would be something of a cottage industry, me and my fish.
Weird thing is, even though blues are my favorites, I have the strong feeling I should breed Diana first. She is my red double tip crowntail female. Go figure, I have never been psychic, but this is a strong feeling so...why the heck not? Anyway, back to the story...
I have grounded myself from ebay and aquabid. You know how you hear those horror stories of women who just bid and bid and buy and buy and can't stop? Well, it was not quite that bad...but we might have been on that road. But none of the males I already have are right for Diana. (Honestly, I am still grumpy about the crowntail males I bought on aquabid. They were NOT as pictured. I don't really want to breed any of them. Well, maybe Zed, but not right out of the gate.) So, I am looking for a male, but cannot mailorder...not a good spot to be in.
I had given up on finding anything worthwhile at the lfs, even if the owner does get some of his bettas from a local breeder.
Today was different, the betta/jedi mind powers called out to me...and he was sneaky...
}<>"You need feeder fish for your turtles."
"I need feeder fish for my turtles."
}<>"You still have A LOT of store credit at the LFS"
"I still have a lot of credit at the pet store"
}<>"Look down into the (bigger than Walmart) cups on the register counter...see the flowy fins...pretty boys, yes?"
"Ooo, the bettas are very nice looking today"
}<>"Here I am, near the back...over here..."
"Hey, a red one...wow, he's a crowntail..."
}<>"I have another surprise for you, Ma'am...look closer as I flare at your finger..."
"WOWZER!!! He has double points! This is the perfect fish to breed with Diana!"
Wish me luck...conditioning for the potential mom and dad starts tomorrow.
I am calling him Padre, to send as much good mojo toward the endeavor as I can. I'll post a pic as soon as I can get the feisty guy to stand still.
) The hours and hours of work,not to mention the cost of food alone is enough to barely break even if you choose to sell them. 
