bubble nest is built

Question
Hi, My bettas are going to have babies the nest is built but he hasn't squeesed her yet. What do I do with the mom and dad after the eggs are laid? Then what do I do after the eggs are hatched? Please help me I'm only 9 and my mom has no clue.

Answer
Hi Stormy;

Welcome to AllExperts!

The tank temperature has to be at least 80f before they will spawn (lay eggs). Both fish need to be kept separate and fed very good foods for a few weeks until the female is fat with eggs. If she is young, it may take a couple of months for her to be ready. The fish are then placed close together for a few days. They should see each other, but not in the same tank at first. This gets them both prepared to spawn. Then, the female is put in with the male. Watch them carefully to be sure they don't hurt each other. (Sometimes they fight instead of breed.) The female has to be moved to her own tank after they spawn. The male takes care of the eggs and even cares for the babies once they hatch. He will not want her around and may kill her if she isn't moved out. She will eat the eggs and babies. The male takes each egg in his mouth and spits it out into the nest. He does the same again if any fall from the nest as they develop and hatch. The babies are kept up there too for a few days after they hatch. Eggs or babies can't survive without their dad to do this for them.

Here are some sites for you and your mom to read and find out more;

http://mermaiden.net/Betta/breeding_tips.php
http://bettas.fishjunkies.com/Spawning/lesson1.php
http://www.siamsbestbettas.com/breeding.html
http://www.bcbetta.com/spawning.html
http://www.ibcbettas.com/faq.htm

Good Luck and have fun!

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins