In this post, we will answer the question “Are betta fish asexual?”. We will also discuss the betta fish breeding process.
Are betta fish asexual?
Betta fish, on the other hand, are sexed. It is possible to breed these species in captivity, but they require a spouse to reproduce successfully. Bettas cannot become ‘pregnant’ because they reproduce asexually, which means that the eggs are fertilized outside of the female body, rather than within it.
Breeding in captivity
Because the species has adapted to severe and rustic conditions in its natural habitat, it does not require any type of oxygen supplementation while kept in captivity. Even though it is exceptionally resistant to temperature changes, the ideal water temperature is approximately 27.5 degrees Celsius. Betta should have a pH between 6.8 and 7.2, and because it comes from low-hardness water, levels between 10 and 12 dH are regarded as appropriate.
Reproduction
The sexual precocity of this species is a unique characteristic of the species. Three-month-old specimens are capable of reproducing if they are well fed, which means three times a day. Females can reproduce after three and a half months of life, with superior reproductive performance to those who were fed twice a day throughout their first three months of life.
The aquarium’s volume normally ranges between 10 and 30 gallons in capacity. Smaller ones are more easily handled and maintained, hence they are more commonly recommended. When breeding, the black painted background and back wall are meant to reduce stress by allowing the eggs to fall to the bottom and be easier to gather once they have dropped.
You should look for a couple that is similar to your lineage (in terms of colour characteristics, tails, body shape, and aggressiveness), but if your goal is to be daring or to reproduce only in a domestic setting, you can choose at random.
Both must be active and aggressive, as well as vividly coloured, and they must respond quickly when food is provided to them.
Choosing the Most Appropriate Fish
The most crucial stage in breeding is selecting the appropriate bettas to breed with. Choose the appropriate fish for the breeding process, not only so that the chicks will look like their parents, but also so that the breeding process will be much easier to complete if the appropriate fish is used.
The fact that bettas procreate significantly more easily while they are young is worth noting. As a result, choosing animals between the ages of 5 and 14 months is excellent. Likewise, always look for animals with the best appearance, as this is a solid indicator that the animal’s health is in good condition.
When selecting a breeding couple, it is more crucial to pay attention to the male because the female is considerably more choosy when it comes to reproduction. If she is dissatisfied with her selection, it is possible that reproduction will not take place.
Choosing a male betta
In the wild, females pay close attention to males to choose the most suitable candidate for breeding. In general, they prefer successful individuals who have won their bouts and who appear to be active and in good condition. This is not possible in the aquarium, and the aquarist is responsible for looking for specific organisms.
How to select a female Betta fish
When it comes to selecting a female betta, the process is significantly simpler. Concentrate on healthy fish with active tails that are healthy and active. This is simply because these are signs that the animal is in good health. Other considerations include choosing a female who you enjoy the look of because fry tends to look similar to their parents in terms of appearance.
The introduction of the fish
As soon as you get your aquarium set up, complete with filter, heater, and plants to conceal among the rocks, it’s time to introduce your new couple.
Beginner’s tip: Introduce your male fish to the aquarium by allowing him to travel freely throughout the space and establish himself in his new temporary home.
After the male has been introduced, it is time to introduce the female to the aquarium. To ensure a smooth transition, you should avoid putting the female in direct contact with the male at the beginning of the process. You can use an aquarium divider to keep them apart, or you can put the female in an open, transparent container to prevent the male from getting to her.
The bubble nest
The male will begin to construct his bubble nest during the wooing phase, while the fish are still isolated from one another. They alternate their efforts between constructing the structure and courting the female. At this point, avoid disturbing the fish too much and give them plenty of space to swim around.
Bringing the two fish together
After a night, check to see if the nest has already taken shape; if so, it is time to release the mother bird. Betta breeding has officially begun at this point.
While chasing the female around the tank, he will become rather aggressive against her. You shouldn’t be concerned if he bites the female; but, if a battle becomes too debilitating, it may be necessary to place the female in isolation. Females, on the other hand, can take refuge in plants if they feel threatened.
Once the bettas had passed through this initial phase, they began a kind of courtship dance in which the male and female swam around each other and open their fins and tails. Until the female makes it clear that she is ready to reproduce.
The moment of the bridal hug
A female signals her readiness by raising her arms and rotating her body. The betta then cuddles around her and begins to feed. The eggs are fertilized in this posture because he is in the position where she drops them into the water.
Until the two of them either drop under the water or float motionless for an extended period, they remain in that hug. After a few moments, they release each other and the females will relax for a few minutes before repeating the hug and fertilizing a few more eggs in the process.
Taking Good Care of the Eggs
After the female has released all of the eggs, the male will go to the bottom of the tank and pick up the eggs that have landed there and place them in the bubble nest. Some females assist the male in this activity, while others devour the eggs. In addition, the male may perceive the female as a threat and attack her if she does not cooperate. As a result, it is highly suggested that the female be removed as soon as she has recovered from mating.
After removing the female, it is a good idea to cover the aquarium with cling film to maintain the humidity levels in the tank stable. In the development of eggs and fries, this is beneficial.
The eggs and the bubble nest will be looked after by the male for the following few days; he may even decide to enlarge the niche with additional bubbles if the need arises.
Conclusion
In this post, we answered the question “Are betta fish asexual?”. We also discussed the betta fish breeding process.
If you have any thoughts or doubts, feel free to drop us a comment below!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Are betta fish asexual?
Can I have 2 female bettas together?
Female betta fish, in contrast to male betta fish, can coexist peacefully in the same aquarium. When a group of females live together, they are referred to as a “sorority.” In general, 4-6 female betta fish are a good number to keep together in a tank.
How can you tell if a female betta has eggs?
Your female Betta fish may be already carrying her eggs, as evidenced by a spherical white patch on her stomach. It’s called an ovipositor, and it’s a type of egg-laying organ that’s located between the two ventral fins of the fish. In the ovipositor is where she will soon release her eggs, which will be fertilized by her partner.
Can beta males get pregnant?
Betas are the everyday, everyman type of male. However, they are unable to breed with or get pregnant from Omegas. They can, however, breed with and become pregnant from other Betas. They can reproduce in this manner if they have a female and a male Betta.
How do you tell if a betta fish is pregnant or fat?
Because of the presence of the ovipositor dot and white stripes, you should be able to determine whether or not your Betta is pregnant. If you don’t see any of these on your Betta fish, she’s probably simply obese or constipated, which is normal.
Can betta fish reproduce asexually?
Betta fish are unable to reproduce unless they receive external fertilization. As a result, the female Betta will become pregnant with eggs, and the male Betta will then extract the eggs and fertilize them in a bubble nest that he has constructed specifically for the reproductive procedure.
Can a female betta have babies without a male?
NO, female betta fishes are unable to deposit eggs in the absence of male fishes. During the breeding process, male fish fertilize the eggs by pressing down on the lower body of the female fish, causing the eggs to emerge out of her body.
References
Giannecchini, L. G., Massago, H., & Fernandes, J. B. K. (2012). Effects of photoperiod on reproduction of Siamese fighting fish Betta splendens. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia, 41(4), 821-826.
Kirankumar, S., & Pandian, T. J. (2002). Effect on growth and reproduction of hormone immersed and masculinized fighting fish Betta splendens. Journal of Experimental Zoology, 293(6), 606-616.
