What are the basics of betta breeding?

I have experience in fish breeding, but I never had bettas. I have a big strong male and I am looking for a female. I am going to pick up two more tanks and a 10 gallon tank for breeding. But I'm being serious and I've done tons of research on this. here are my questions:

Do you separate the male from the eggs when they hatch?

How long is the process of the whole thing from the beginning of mating to when the fry's hatch?

I just need a little of the basics.

Hi star. No you do not seperate the male from the eggs. He has to take care of them even after they hatch. After that in about to days they will become free swimming and then you have to get him out or he will eat them.

First you have to put them in tanks or containers seperately so they can see each other and condition them well on Bloodworms and BBS for about a week. The male should start to build his bubble nest. Also the female should start showing vertical stripes on her sides. If neither of these are seen then they are not ready to breed. Oncwe they are ready put them together. The courtship is very violent with the male chasing the female and nipping at her fins. Don't be alarmed this is normal. This can go on for as many as three days. When they do start to spawn it's like a beautiful ballet. The spawning can take as long as three to four hours. At the end of the spawning the male will again chase her and get violent with her trying to keep her away from his nest and the eggs. She will eat the eggs. Get her out right away and put her in her own container with some meds and feed her good. The male stays with the eggs and then the fry when they hatch. After they are free swimming (swimming across the water) get him out or he will eat the fry.

its right that u condition them 2 weeks before u put them in the same tank but separated in sections, right? or do u hav them in the 2.5g and hav them together in there but separated. thats the thing im gettin confused bout. i know that u hav to keep them separated wen u condition them but idk if they should be able to see eachother at that time or after the 2 weeks that u feed them bloodworms.

Keep them seperated while your conditoning them. Once they are put together you won't feed them anymore.
Little vase inside the males 2.5 tank. this way they can see each other and still be conditioned.


Put a cover over her little vase or she may jump out.


The male has built his nest so he is ready. Now wait for the female to show her vertical stripes.


Female with good vertical stripes.

wow great info Whisper, love the pics.