HMPK Betta Breeding Questions

Hello!
a few months ago I imported some young Halfmoon Plakat bettas, with the intention to breed them.

Time got away from me, and up until now (with the whole quarantine thing) I haven’t had the time.

I’ve bred bettas before, but never plakats, and have heard they’re more aggressive than your average betta... true or false?

My female is just as large as the male, and I was wondering if this would complicate the breeding process or if I should buy a new female (I’d really rather not, she was expensive)

I have a fully cycled planted blackwater breeding tank set up, and plenty of high quality food, really at this point my biggest concern is the actual compatibility of my breeding pair.
would their sizes work?
should I expect and tolerate more than normal aggression during the breeding process?

 

I've had crowntails meaner than my plakat males when spawning. I wouldn't say there is much difference between the two though, they are the same species just one fin type swims more easily/faster than the other. All males will behave differently so it's a toss up. As for size, as long as the female isn't bigger than the male you should be alright. I bought a pair a while back but the female was massive compared to the male so I used my old boy for the new girl.

 

Bettas all have individual personalities really, and tail type has nothing to do with it. However, tail type does affect activity level, so females/plakats are often more active, and therefore may seem more aggressive, I guess (I imagine chasing a female for a longfinned Halfmoon is much harder than it is for a plakat, y’know? More tail to drag along lol)

As far as I know you should be fine with the size. I mean, you can always give it a shot first, and then you’ll know if it works or doesn’t work

 

I decided to place my female in a jar and show her to my male. He flared and immediately started dancing, showing off his fins.
She did the same, and than tried attacking him through the glass...

I’ve decided to not risk breeding the two of them, I wouldn’t want my male getting harmed, and I feel my girl would dominate him.
instead I’ve decided to get a new female. Here are some I’ve considering, but I would love input on which ones you think would make the best cross?

Here’s a photo of my male taken with my horrible iPhone camera:



Here are links to some of the females I’m considering, also HMPK koi.

Female One
Female Two
Female Three

I’m really leaning towards the first option, but would like a few extra opinions.

 

I decided to place my female in a jar and show her to my male. He flared and immediately started dancing, showing off his fins.
She did the same, and than tried attacking him through the glass...

I’ve decided to not risk breeding the two of them, I wouldn’t want my male getting harmed, and I feel my girl would dominate him.
instead I’ve decided to get a new female. Here are some I’ve considering, but I would love input on which ones you think would make the best cross?

Here’s a photo of my male taken with my horrible iPhone camera:
View attachment 680630

Here are links to some of the females I’m considering, also HMPK koi.

Female One
Female Two
Female Three

I’m really leaning towards the first option, but would like a few extra opinions.

I’m partial to two or three - I really like the blue in two

 

Check out this female and the rest of this seller's options. Free shipping and quality fish, he's a great seller who I've bought from. I bought the 2 for 30$ random pick and the female koi I was sent looks even better than some of the females he has for sale now.
LiVe BeTtA FisH HaLfMoOn PlaKAt**FanCy NemO**{Imported FeMaLe}**(ihx463) | eBay
As for your choices, I'd pick the last female as she has the best top line and form IMO.

 

I’m partial to two or three - I really like the blue in two

I love the blue as well, if I had a larger budget right now I would totally go and buy both one and two, I think I’m really looking for the smaller, leaner body type.

 

Check out this female and the rest of this seller's options. Free shipping and quality fish, he's a great seller who I've bought from. I bought the 2 for 30$ random pick and the female koi I was sent looks even better than some of the females he has for sale now.
LiVe BeTtA FisH HaLfMoOn PlaKAt**FanCy NemO**{Imported FeMaLe}**(ihx463) | eBay
As for your choices, I'd pick the last female as she has the best top line and form IMO.

Oh wow, I will look at all his fish as we'll Thank you!

 

Okay, I think I’m going to go with this female as suggested: LiVe BeTtA FisH HaLfMoOn PlaKAt**FanCy NemO**{Imported FeMaLe}**(ihx463) | eBay
Her body type compliments my male, and the blue on her is stunning.

I hope the shipping will be okay despite the virus craziness. Thanks for your help everyone and I will be sure to update when the fish arrives!

 

She just arrived- and a day early too, looking super healthy! Here’s a photo of her acclimating, than one of her chilling by the sponge filter.


I put a few freeze dried bloodworms in there and she ate them right away as well. Will for sure buy from this seller again.

 

She just arrived- and a day early too, looking super healthy! Here’s a photo of her acclimating, than one of her chilling by the sponge filter.
View attachment 681383View attachment 681384I put a few freeze dried bloodworms in there and she ate them right away as well. Will for sure buy from this seller again.

She’s so pretty! Definitely a nice find

 

Thought I would give a quick update!
The female worked perfectly, and is super healthy.
And.....
I’ve got eggs! Laid just yesterday, there’s more than I’ve ever had before from a pair. Don’t know if you can see them all that well in the picture, I’m expecting the babies to have hatched tomorrow.