Breeding Genetics And Suggestions

I have a new betta, he is a halfmoon double tail plakat and has very nice colors. I would like to pair him with a female, carefully of course. When I first got him he was completely white with dark blue spots at the edge of his fins, now he has full blue fins and blue koi spots. I had considered an elephant ear female with light colors, since short fins are recessive.
But perhaps those more experienced could suggest a more fun female to work with, I really would like to breed lighter bettas with short fins, similar to dad. The picture is a little older but now he has a lot more blue on the body.
What can you guys suggest?

 

An elephant ear sounds good! They would make a very nice spawn!

A white koi female would add a beautiful splash of red/orange the male's blue. Do you have a plan for the fry?

 

An elephant ear sounds good! They would make a very nice spawn!

A white koi female would add a beautiful splash of red/orange the male's blue. Do you have a plan for the fry?

Yes, I have friends that would like betta, I'll make sure I have at least 10 people wanting a betta, with any extra babies I'll give them away online in the area. Would Microworms be a good starter food? I can get live Microworms, Daphnia, and vinegar eels. I thought that may be a good diet, plus some crushed new life spectrum for bettas.

 

Before you do it I suggest researching a LOT here are some good threads that people made on the subject
How to breed bettas

Breeding bettas responsible

 

Before you do it I suggest researching a LOT here are some good threads that people made on the subject
How to breed bettas

Breeding bettas responsible

Thank you for showing me these, they actually changed my mind on breeding them. I didn't know there was a similar situation to bettas as there was with rabbits (overbred) so I don't want to contribute to the problem, a lot of them already need a home. But thank you for your help and time.

 

I disagree with the idea that you shouldn’t breed your own bettas because there are bettas dying and abused on the shelves of petsmart. If we keep buying these they will keep selling them in that condition. If home breeders use more humane methods that is exactly where I want my betta to come from. It’s not like stray dogs vs dog breeders. So I say if you want to do it responsibly and have homes ready go for it.

 

I disagree with the idea that you shouldn’t breed your own bettas because there are bettas dying and abused on the shelves of petsmart. If we keep buying these they will keep selling them in that condition. If home breeders use more humane methods that is exactly where I want my betta to come from. It’s not like stray dogs vs dog breeders. So I say if you want to do it responsibly and have homes ready go for it.

In a first spawn would there really be 100 fry or would it be around 20-30? I watched the breeding tutorial from LifeWithPets and it didn't seem like she got that many fry. If I do end up with that many fry I'd go ahead and get the necessary tanks.

 

If you get that many eggs- I would just remove some eggs with a spoon

 

Or get a carnivorous fish that would help you with the culling part. When I used to breed guppies my bettas were always really happy. They have so many fry because in the wild most fry get eaten. That keeps the gene pool strong.

 

In a first spawn would there really be 100 fry or would it be around 20-30? I watched the breeding tutorial from LifeWithPets and it didn't seem like she got that many fry. If I do end up with that many fry I'd go ahead and get the necessary tanks.

I believe you get around a hundred but then you have to cull some and the father eats the bad ones.