Melano Copper babies

[justhal]

A while back I bought a pair of Melano Copper bettas from bluebetta (Suporn) on aquabid and after a fumbled attempt at spawning, I now have baby bettas. My babies are over 2 weeks old. It's not a really big spawn, but there are somewhere between 35-50 little ones. That's not bad for their first real spawn - or MINE! I don't know if I would've needed any more to have to raise...

I'm feeding them microworms and baby brine shrimp twice a day - siphoning out the dead stuff before I give them anything new. So far they're growing pretty well.

Yeeviabetta has been really helpful through the whole thing. His methods worked very well for me, but I thought I'd give him a break and put this question to the forum: how long before I can move them to a bigger tank? I have a 20 gallon that would be great for the next step, but I don't want to move them until they're strong enough.

Anyone have any opinions???

Hal

 

[yeeviabetta]

Wou! Thanks for kissing my ass. LOL Joking lah. LOL
You can transfer the babies when they are 1 to 1 1l2 month old to a 20 gallon tank. As for right now, it is easy for you to feed them since the breeding tank is small enough and the babies don't have to swim far away to get the food. You sure get a very consistant size in the babies. And also it is easier to clean the tank too. As for now, tried to feed them brine shrimp only. They are more protein than the microworms. Microworm is just for them when you miss hatching the brine shrimp.
when are you going to take pictures? Oh yes, I saw the parent already!! They are awesome. Copper melano halfmoon. Beautiful!!! Do put up the parent picture too.

 

[justhal]

Thanks, Yeeviabetta... I'll give them another couple weeks in the 10 gallon.

Your advice has been really helpful - it's been YEARS since I raised bettas... I think I was 9 years old the first time. The egg yolk worked great.

Here's the proud papa's picture - from when I bought him on aquabid:

Any ideas what variations in color I could get? Of course I'm hoping for Melano Coppers, but what else could I expect? Blacks? coppers? maybe greens or blues???

 

[yeeviabetta]

Wou wou wou!! LOOK AT THAT STUD!!! He is awesome!!! I am eager to know what the babies going to look like. Since the female are the same sibling, sure will give you more to melano and copper.
Take some babies pictures.

 

[justhal]

Thanks, Yeeviabetta! Yeah, he IS a stud now... He was only 3 months old in that photo, and his tail and fins have grown out a lot. The only bad thing is his old lady beat him up pretty bad the last time during their love-games, and his tail looks pretty rough right now... but he beat her up pretty bad too. I guess if you want them to stay nice you don't breed them...

I did a water change on the babies today, and now they're swimming all over! GHEESH! ...there might be more in there than I thought!

Hey, Yeeviabetta - are you going to post photos of your new fishes when they come in???

 

[yeeviabetta]

Oh yes. when you get into breeding, you will have to sacrified. LOL No matter how pretty the tail is, at the end, both might ruin. Basically the female is the one who ruin their tail. It seems like your female is a bit tough too. Bite the male. Now you only can look at his beautiful 3 months old picture. LOL
As for the babies, I think you will have more than 45. It might double what you think. LOL If you did aged the water at least three days and conditioning them, you can change all their water. I have a spare 10 gallon tank and I do this method. You will be a shock to know the fries survival very high. I prefer to do this way now with my new babies like 2 weeks old. I found a blue nylon net from petland that can hold the shape very well and tender to the babies. I just love the net. Help me so much of work to catch the babies.
I am taking some red babies pictures tonight. If got some time, I will post it. Meanwhile I have promise some members here to let them preview first. Anyway, they are plenty to sellect. Believe it or not, I got three red male babies butterfly!!! One is very beautiful. Beside there are some butterfly red female babies too. Those are the second batch red babies. Interesting. Jess (Newfishies) will love to dead. He is like a flame butterfly.

 

[justhal]

Yeah, I bet you're right, YB... there's more than 40 babies in that tank. I'd like to pull the plants out, but I'd be afraid I'd take some babies out with the plants.

I'd love to see your red babies! When are you going to post their pictures? Pull aside a nice sibling pair of those red butterfly babies and mark my name on their jars, okay???

I'll be looking for the photos...

 

[yeeviabetta]

I will, They are still small anyway and also my schedules are so up tight after the trip to Baltimore. I wish I have more time for much work I have to do.