Stiktos Betta
(Betta stiktos)

The reproduction of the Betta is not very difficult. It is rather to bring the fry to adulthood that can be more delicate. Generally speaking, Stiktos reproduction is possible for all amateurs.

You will probably have spontaneous reproductions if males and females are present. If you do not particularly wish to breed, leave the fry in the main aquarium and nature will do its work (it is possible, however, that a few clever little ones will manage to survive in a mature, densely planted aquarium). Conversely, if you are interested in breeding and want to keep as many young as possible, you can either collect them after hatching and isolate them in a separate aquarium to protect them from predation, or you can have them spawn in a specially designed aquarium and remove them afterwards. In this case you will need an aquarium with :
- fresh and acidic water
- power failure
- many plants: will be used for the visual isolation of the couple
- surface plants: they will be used as supports for the bubble nest.

Install your couple of Betta in this tray and let them get used to it quietly. Once the male is ready to breed, he will build a bubble nest on the surface among the plants. Once his nest is finished, he will start to conquer the female, all colours and fins outdoors. After the courtship ritual, the couple will position themselves under the nest to mate. The eggs are laid on the ground, then the male gathers the eggs one by one in the nest of bubbles. From then on, he will constantly monitor them and maintain them by ventilating them. As for the female, she is either chased away by the male immediately after laying, or is tolerated: it depends on the character of the male. If you notice that the female is being mistreated by the male, do not hesitate to remove it from the breeding tank to preserve it.

The nest, which now contains the eggs, becomes opaque and white. When they hatch, the tiny fry swim below the surface. You can then remove the male.

Bettas fry need to eat several times a day. Distribute a small amount:
- daphnia
- microvers
- tubifex
- artemia nauplies (beware they are salty and can cause digestive problems). Distribute with caution).

After 5 or 6 months, switch to the same diet as adults.

The most difficult moment of growth is the formation of the labyrinth, the secondary breathing organ.

This is a delicate stage and youngsters can die at the first breath of this type, especially if the temperature difference between the water and the air is too great. To avoid this, close the breeding aquarium tightly and cover it well. This will prevent draughts and an increase in the ambient temperature. If the young survive this stage, you can consider them as saved (except for large maintenance gaps of course) and reproduction as successful!