Thursday, February 03, 2005
Winter Spawning
Betta female was displayed more explicitly to the male today who had been playing cat and mouse with her but had not commenced nest building. She had not been attacked but chased and 'impressed' with his gill-work. Her display was by floating container (clearly visible) to encourage his seeing more of her. He waltzed around her all afternoon - no nest building however.
She, however by late afternoon, began to show a minor sign of 'velvet' illness and was removed gently .. had not even been netted since obtention .. and succumbed. The male is doing fine. Additional females will be readied - but will be held back - hopefully two or three together until displaying full ovidity signs.
Should the male commence building a nest, a female will be introduced. Inducing a male to nest in this colder climate circumstance is hence now postponed at this blogger's home.
Living in New England in winter can make Betta spawning more difficult - unless one keeps a heated 'fish room'. So - to re-create the least perplexing and better spawning conditions one may either heat one or wait until spring or summer.
So,for me attempts to interest a male with a female in winter and to arrange a spawning will not be done. Instead any females will be kept and fattened for an offer in warmer weather. An aquarium in use has been kept fully filled with water whie introducing a pair in order to maintain heat. In Betta literature a half-filled - but warm aquarium - with the top half covered to retain heat & humidity - is recommended. (Keeping an aquarium filled full also retains heat but may discourgae mating - though it is frequently done.) Also at least, warm weather mating spares headaches with betta fry if successful. (My ambient unheated temperature in the room with the aquaria is now 59F - another heated tank would be becessary.)
My investment - fortunately - has been small thus far ... and the practice averts trauma with more expensive fish. male and female Bettas in fish stores locally cost about $2.69-$3.99.
She, however by late afternoon, began to show a minor sign of 'velvet' illness and was removed gently .. had not even been netted since obtention .. and succumbed. The male is doing fine. Additional females will be readied - but will be held back - hopefully two or three together until displaying full ovidity signs.
Should the male commence building a nest, a female will be introduced. Inducing a male to nest in this colder climate circumstance is hence now postponed at this blogger's home.
Living in New England in winter can make Betta spawning more difficult - unless one keeps a heated 'fish room'. So - to re-create the least perplexing and better spawning conditions one may either heat one or wait until spring or summer.
So,for me attempts to interest a male with a female in winter and to arrange a spawning will not be done. Instead any females will be kept and fattened for an offer in warmer weather. An aquarium in use has been kept fully filled with water whie introducing a pair in order to maintain heat. In Betta literature a half-filled - but warm aquarium - with the top half covered to retain heat & humidity - is recommended. (Keeping an aquarium filled full also retains heat but may discourgae mating - though it is frequently done.) Also at least, warm weather mating spares headaches with betta fry if successful. (My ambient unheated temperature in the room with the aquaria is now 59F - another heated tank would be becessary.)
My investment - fortunately - has been small thus far ... and the practice averts trauma with more expensive fish. male and female Bettas in fish stores locally cost about $2.69-$3.99.
// posted by scotty of course @ 1:21 AM 
