Betta spawning

Question
I have a question about betta fry.
My betta fish havent spawned yet, but when they do  how long can all the fry be
in the same tank? and do u have any tips on what bowls i should put the fry in
after they are separated?  if you could get back to me thatd b sweet.

Answer
Hi Emma;

Once the fry are "free-swimming" and no longer need to be in the bubble nest it's time to move the male out. They are about 4 days old at that point and able to get air on their own. Before they are able to swim on their own the male has to put them back up in the bubble nest if they fall so they don't drown.

You will need to plan food for the new fry a week or two before they are even ready to eat. Most successful breeders feed their fry live foods such as baby brine shrimp, infusoria, or microworms, and others use dry food. Live food is always best for growing baby fish and is less likely to foul the water too. Infusoria is the cheapest to obtain because you make it yourself in quart jars from organic materials. It's very healthy too. Here is a web page to read all about it;

http://www.aqualandpetsplus.com/Live%20Food,%20Infusoria.htm

Keep the tank very clean so the babies don't get sick. It is best not to have gravel or decorations in the tank. Waste and leftover food can hide in those places and foul the water. Just a bare 10 gallon tank with an airstone and lights is all you need. Live floating plants is okay as long as it doesn't block the fry from getting to the top and food doesn't get stuck in them. The plants will also grow infusoria on them for the babies to graze on.

Your fry can be put in individual bowls after they are about 2 months old. Keep in mind that you may have 100 or more babies to manage. Use bowls that are at least 1/2 gallon. If your bowls are too small waste builds up too quickly and your babies will get sick and/or die. They need to be cleaned out at least twice a week. Having twice the number of bowls that you have fish makes it easy to clean them. You just keep a whole clean set ready with clean water in each and you put each fish in a clean one. Wash out the dirty ones and prepare them for the next day your bettas need cleaning. You are just swapping them out and not trying to clean the bowls they are already living in and hurrying to get it ready.

Here is a great web page that shares info and little details by a betta breeder;

http://www.bcbetta.com/fry.html

Have fun and good luck!

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins