Commonly Asked Question
Q: Why use Indian Almond Leave to condition betta water?
A: Its extract has anti-bacterial elements and creates a soothing Black Water
environment for the fish. Its tannin turns the water into tea brown colour. The betta
treated will be less stressful, more healthy, thus enhancing its full potential of
striking colour.
Q: What is pH shock?
A: pH Shock is a situation where a betta encounter a sudden change in pH that is out
of its normal tolerance. Such shock can lower the betta’s immune system, cause
them to be sick or the worst case die. This happens often when changing water
that is different in pH. One way to tackle the problem is to perform a 50% water
change. More accurate measurement can be obtain by a pH tester.
Q: What is Chloramine?
A: Chloramine is an additive added to tap water for safe consuming for humans.
However it is dangerous to betta and other fishes. Our usual chlorine remover will
not post the slightest use on Chloramine. You need to get a reliable ‘Chlorine and
Chloramine’ remover to safeguard your bettas.
Q: How to tell a young betta fish from an old one by appearance?
A: First of all its easier to tell if the betta fish is long-tail like Halfmoons. The size of the
fish, how active/inactive it is, the erect/dropped tail fin, the length of the ventral fins,
the bright/fading colour of the fish, and most commonly is it able to hold all its fins
erect when flaring.
Q: How frequent should I let my bettas flare?
A: This depends on personal preference. A useful guideline would be 15-30 minutes
per session twice daily. This will serve as an exercise for the bettas to make them
healthier and livelier. Overdoing it will only make the betta lose its agressiveness,
provided you are preparing a pair for spawning.
Q: How much should I feed my betta?
A: First, one should understand that the size of a betta’s stomach is as big as its eye.
Feed a small quantity and make sure it is consumed within 5 minutes. Don’t
overfeed to pollute the water with unfinished food.
On Spawning Of Betta
Q: Do I need to trim the tail of Male Halfmoon shorter before spawning?
A: In a matter of fact its personal preference, I have seen long tail halfmoon breed
successfully and vice versa. The trimming however is believed to reduce the
‘burden’ of the male halfmoon as some tails are extremely long and considering
the spawning is a tedious process that can prolong for hours that may affect the
success rate of it. Anyhow use common sense if you will to practice trimming.
Trim to a length the fish is still comfortable swimming.
Q: Do I need to condition my bettas before spawning?
A: Conditioning is the best way to get the bettas to produce good results during
spawning. Normally conditioning starts 1-2 week prior to spawning. Increased the
frequency of water change, provide clean water and sufficient food will ensure the
male will build a healthy bubble nest and the female ripe with eggs. It is a essential
step to produce healthy fry.
Q: Do females blow bubbles?
A: Occasionally they do, although their bubbles are not that dense compared to
males that build big bubble nests. So don’t blindly spawn 2 females together.
Q: How many generations can I perform Inline breeding?
A: Inline breeding will get the best out of the genes if you choose the right pair.
However this can only be perform for not more than 4 generations until the genes
are weakened. Some believe that 6 generation is the max, but I will not like to
stress it to the limit.
Q: What should I do to protect over-aggressive male during spawning?
A: Provide more water plants for the female to seek refuge from the attacking male.
Once the female is ready to fully submit, spawning will take place. It’s not
uncommon to find a female beaten to death by the male.
On Raising Of Young Betta
Q: What food is suitable for newly hatched fry?
A: Betta’s first fry food needs to be ‘alive’ and cultured to produce the best result and
readily consume by fry. Microworm Culture, Artemia Culture, Vinegar Eel culture
are of the most common. Others are Daphnia Culture (only the young daphnia is
able to fit in the fry’s mouth) and Infusoria Culture (Watch out for other harmful
bacteria in the boom of unpure culture of Infusoria). A starter culture is needed to
inoculate your first culture.
Q: How many fries will I get from each spawn?
A: This depends on the breed of betta and the health of the pair. Typically for
Halfmoons and Plakats, anything between 200 to 600 fries are considered
normal.
Q: My betta fry is small in size ?
A: Betta grow rate depends on a handful of factors, ie. genetics, food, water
condition, space to grow etc. Halfmoon and Plakat reach maturity in about 3-4
months and is about 5cm excluding tail for Halfmoon and slightly larger for Plakat.
Q: My betta fry has clamped fins and refuse to eat?
A: Perform clean water change and check carefully for common fry disease like Ick and velvet. See Disease And Treatment.