Need To Know If My Betta Fish Have Bred

[fishlover101]

So, about 5 days ago I decided to try and breed my bettas, for about the 10th time in 2 years. I had conditioned the male and female feeding them brine shrimp and high quality flakes for a week. She started showing vertical lines, and she looked very plump with eggs. So, I placed the male in the breeding tank, and let him build a nest. I introduced her in a small clear container for 24 hours. they both were flaring, showing good signs, so I finally released her. They didn't spawn right away, so I got bored after about an hour, and left them to be, and went to sleep. in the morning there were still no signs that they had bred... the male would leave the nest to chase the female and she wouldn't go anywhere near the nest. however after I came home from school I found my female hiding, her fins shredded, and noticed his were shredded a bit as well. I immediately took her out and put her in my ten gallon community tank to recover. she seems to be doing ALOT better, and no other fish are picking on her. However, im not sure if they really did spawn... and if they did , how will I know? I can't really see the nest, because it is covered with a half of a Styrofoam cup, however my male (king) is not leaving the nest, not even for the food I put into the tank. He keeps going to the bottom and picking up what looks like eggs and blowing it back into the nest... however i'm having doubts... How can I know for sure? 

 

[Wildbetta]

If he is attending the nest as you say he is, it is highly likely that they have spawned.  The eggs should hatch in 24 or so hours depending on tank temperature.   

 

[fishlover101]

Im so excited... I've tried so hard at this for almost 2 years now, with zero success. The tank temp is 82-83 ish should I turn it down or up? or is that good?

 

[GuppyGirl20]

Don't know about the temp but it definitely sounds like they spawned. Good Luck!

 

[Shelster]

How exciting for you, looking forward to pics in a few weeks time. Hope it all goes well

 

[fishlover101]

well... I woke up and looked in the breeding tank, I see about 3 fry hanging down from the nest! im so excited!

 

[thad]

That's fantastic news, I would love to breed them too!

 

[fishlover101]

It took me a while... about a good year and a half, about 10 failed attempts, and a lot of the time I lost the female due to an aggressive male... its funny actually, the first male that I tried with this time, was my year old one. he always builds nests , however this time he refused so I thought what the heck and tried with my 2 year old male who rarely builds nests... he however became the father and is doing great. this is what I did:
Preconditioning: Well, ive been feeding my male frozen brine shrimp, high quality pellets and high quality flakes for 2 years now. I purchased the female about 1 week ago and put her in my 29 gallon community tank. She ate really well and began to grow very large quickly.
Breeding set up: 5.5 gallon, filled up about 1/3 with a heater set at about 83 degrees. one half of the tank was filled with fake plants and a castle as well as a few rocks to hold it in place, and of course the heater. a hood with a light that is left on. 
The act: I introduced the male and let him build his nest. ( under a Styrofoam cup that I had taped onto the side) at first he didn't build it, so I placed a mirror, which got him excited and he made it with in a night. I then introduced the female in a clear plastic container with a lid on it. I left her for 24 hours as he continued to build and fix the nest. Finally, they were flaring at each other through the container, she was swimming from side to side and he was moving very fast around the container. I then released the female. I left them for 24 hours, nothing happened... no signs of eggs, and the male was still consistently leaving the nest... so I took her out for the night and left her in a container, right next to the tank so that he could still see her... When I wokeup, I placed her back into the tank. afraid that they still wouldn't breed. I left them again all day, and all night. I look in the morning, still nothing, so I went to school ( by this time it had been a good 24 hours) When I came back, I noticed her fins as well as his, were both shredded and torn. She was hiding in a corner. I quickly removed her, scared that he had tried to kill her, however I later for out that this is extremely common during " the act" Anyways... I didn't think that they had bred, until I saw eggs falling, and realized he wouldn't eat, or leave the nest, even to look and flare at the fish in my other tank. It took about 48 hours and I now have what looks about 100-150 fry, but only time will tell... many will die off...
I hope it works out for you, it is a very rewarding feeling.. It will require a lot of time and effort but with dedication, its far from impossible. good luck