The signs of a successful betta fish pairing mainly include the following aspects:
Interaction behavior: After a male and a female betta fish are successfully paired, they will show interaction behaviors. For example, the male fish will wrap its tail around the female fish to squeeze out the eggs. After doing this several times, the male fish will attach the eggs to the bubbles. In addition, the male and female fish will play with each other, which indicates that they have successfully paired.
Reproductive behavior: Once the male and female betta fish are successfully paired, the female fish will lay eggs. Then the male fish will come forward to fertilize them, and the eggs will become fertilized eggs. The male fish will hold the eggs in its mouth and blow bubbles on them to form a protective layer.
Observation of the eggs: After a successful pairing, the eggs will hatch into fry within 2 - 3 days. The newly hatched fry will be translucent and tadpole - like, about half the size of a sesame seed.
Preparations and precautions before betta fish pairing:
Selecting spawning betta fish: Observe the spawning characteristics of betta fish. A male betta fish will blow a large number of bubbles, and the abdomen of a female betta fish will bulge.
Preparing the breeding environment: Prepare a separate breeding tank. Keep the water temperature at 26 - 27°C and the water depth above 10 centimeters. Adding a small piece of foam helps to strengthen the bubble nest.
Acclimating to the water temperature and introducing to the tank: Both the male and female fish should be acclimated to the water temperature at the same time. After putting them in the tank, cover the female fish with a plastic bottle and let them look at each other for 1 - 2 days. During this period, the male fish may show off wildly and even attack the female fish. The plastic bottle can protect the female fish.
Observing failure situations: If the female fish attacks the male fish, or if the female fish fails to embrace the male fish within four days, or if the male fish behaves too aggressively and seriously injures the female fish, it indicates that the pairing has failed.