Betta fish can be great pets, but do you know how they reproduce? Unlike livebearers like Guppies or Platies, Bettas do not give birth to baby fish. Instead, the female Betta lays eggs that the male fertilizes. So, what do Betta fish eggs look like?
Betta fish eggs are small and round, about the size of a pea. They are usually transparent or white but may have a slight yellow tint.
If you’re wondering what Betta fish eggs look like in more detail, or if you’re thinking of breeding your own Bettas, then this post is for you. We’ll take a closer look at the different stages of Betta eggs and how you can care for them. Keep reading to learn more!
Also, here is a really helpful video that shows the growth stages of Betta fish from the time the eggs are laid to when they reach 3 months old:
Table of Contents
What Do Fertilized Betta Fish Eggs Look Like? How To Tell If They Are Fertilized
Betta eggs are very small, about the size of a large pea. These fish eggs aren’t completely round, but rather, slightly oval.
Regular Betta fish eggs, also known as Betta splendens, are around 1mm in size. On the other hand, fish eggs from mouthbrooder Bettas are around 2-3mm. This category includes different Betta species like Betta channoides and Betta macrostoma
They are usually white or translucent in color and have a small dot in the center, which is the embryo. If you look closely, you may be able to see the faint outline of the developing fish inside the egg. As they grow more and more, you might even be able to see two black dots – their eyes.
To tell if your Betta fish eggs are fertilized, you will need to observe them closely. After the eggs are fertilized by the male, he will chase the female fish away and build a bubble nest around them. He will then carefully pick up each egg in his mouth and place it in the nest.
If the eggs sink to the bottom of the tank, they are not fertilized and will not hatch. However, if the eggs float at the top of the tank and are surrounded by a bubble nest, they are most likely fertilized and will hatch in about 48-72 hours.
On the other hand, mouthbrooder Betta fish eggs can take up to a month to hatch, and they hatch inside the male’s mouth.
What Do Unfertilized Betta Fish Eggs Look Like?
Unfertilized Betta eggs are smaller and more translucent than fertilized eggs. They also do not have the black dot in the center, as they have not been fertilized by the male. Unfertilized Betta eggs will not hatch and should be removed from the tank because they can start to rot and release toxins that can be harmful to your fish.
Betta Fish Egg Stages
Betta fish eggs undergo changes during the course of their development. Here are the different stages of Betta fish eggs:
- Stage 1: The female Betta lays the eggs and the male fertilizes them.
- Stage 2: The white eggs develop a black dot in the center, which is the embryo.
- Stage 3: The eggs become more yellow or brown, and the eyes of the developing fish inside the egg become visible.
- Stage 4: The egg hatches and a small Betta fry is born.
As you can see, Betta eggs go through several changes before they hatch. It is important to keep an eye on them at all times so that, as mentioned above, you can remove any eggs that are not fertilized and may start to rot.
How To Care For Betta Fish Eggs
Now that you know what Betta eggs look like and how to tell if the eggs are fertilized, you might be wondering how to care for them. Betta eggs are very delicate, so it is important to take good care of them if you want them to hatch.
Here are a few tips:
- Keep the water clean. Betta eggs are very sensitive to changes in water quality, so it is important to keep the tank clean. Regular water changes and using a good filter will help to keep the water clean and free of toxins.
- Don’t disturb the eggs. Once the male has placed the eggs in the bubble nest, resist the urge to stir up the water or move the plants around. This can dislodge the eggs and damage them.
- Keep an eye on the water level. The water level in the tank should be kept at a constant level so that the eggs are not exposed to air. Air can cause the eggs to dry out and die.
- Be patient. It can take anywhere from 48 to 72 hours for Betta eggs to hatch, so it is important to be patient and wait for them to hatch on their own. This is especially true if you’ve got a mouthbrooding Betta, as their eggs can take up to a month to hatch.
Additionally, you can also take care of the fish eggs on your own. If you don’t have a male around to take care of them, here’s what you can do:
- Get a different container or breeding tank where you can put the eggs.
- Gently scoop the eggs out of your main tank. Betta eggs can be quite fragile, so be very careful.
- Fill the container with water. Make sure you use a water conditioner or anti-chlorine treatment like Seachem Prime. Additionally, the water should be around the same temperature as the tank in which the eggs were laid.
- Also, since there’s no bubble nest in the container, you have to add something to keep the eggs from sinking to the bottom, such as a piece of Styrofoam.
- You can also add an airstone to help keep the water oxygenated.
- Maintain the water temperature at 78-80 degrees Fahrenheit. To aid in maintaining the correct temperature, use an aquarium heater like the Aqueon Aquarium Heater.
When the eggs hatch, remove the tiny fish and place them in their own aquarium. Because the male and female Betta will not look after their own young Betta fish, it is entirely up to you to care for them.
How Long Does It Take For Betta Fish Eggs To Hatch?
As mentioned above, it can take anywhere from 48 to 72 hours for Betta eggs to hatch.
However, if you are taking care of mouthbrooding Bettas, the eggs can take up to a month to hatch. This is because the male Betta will keep the eggs in his mouth until they hatch. Generally, it takes at least 10-14 days.
Here are two internal factors that affect the Betta fish hatching time:
- Size of the eggs. Larger eggs may take a longer time to hatch as compared to smaller ones.
- Number of eggs. A higher number of eggs generally leads to a longer hatching time.
Additionally, there are also external factors that can also affect the hatching time, which we will discuss now:
Water Temperature
Water temperature can greatly affect how long it takes for your Betta eggs to hatch. One study done on a species of snakehead fish revealed that a warmer temperature can aid the hatching process.
Bettas are tropical fish, which means that they prefer water that is around 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit.
If the water is too cold, it can delay the hatching process. That’s because the eggs need the warmth of the water to develop properly.
This doesn’t mean you should crank up the temperature to make your baby Bettas hatch faster, though. If the water is too warm, it can speed up the hatching process too much and lead to premature hatching. And of course, if it’s too hot, it can kill the eggs outright.
So, if you want your Betta eggs to hatch on time, maintain the water temperature at 78-80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Oxygen Levels
Another external factor that can affect the hatching time is the oxygen levels in the water.
Betta eggs need a high level of oxygen to develop properly. That’s because they are constantly respiring and using up oxygen.
If the oxygen levels in the water are too low, it can lead to a longer hatching time.
To make sure that Betta eggs have enough oxygen, you can add an airstone to the water. This will help to aerate the water and keep the oxygen levels high.
If you don’t have an air pump, there are additional ways to oxygenate a Betta fish tank.
Water Quality
Finally, water quality is also an important factor when it comes to the hatching time of Betta fish eggs.
If the water is dirty, it can lead to a longer hatching time. That’s because the dirt and debris in the water can clog up the pores of the eggs, preventing them from getting the oxygen they need to develop properly.
In order to avoid this from happening, you should do regular water changes. You should also add a filter, even just a simple sponge type or box type filter. This will help to keep the water clean and free of ammonia, which can also affect the hatching time of Betta fish eggs.
We recommend using a water testing kit like the API Freshwater Master Test Kit to be sure.
How Many Eggs Do Betta Fish Lay At A Time?
Betta fish can lay anywhere from 20 to 100 eggs at a time. However, the average number of eggs is around 40.
There are a few factors that affect how many eggs they lay at a time. Here are some of them.
Size Of The Female Betta
The size of the female Betta can be a major factor in how many eggs she lays. Obviously, larger females can lay more and bigger eggs than smaller ones since they have more space in their bodies to store them.
Some Bettas may be small simply because they’re still young. Betta fish only become fully grown after around 6 months. So, if you have a female Betta that seems very small, it’s likely that she’s still not a grown adult fish yet.
Age Of The Female Betta
Age is also a factor when it comes to how many eggs a Betta can lay.
Generally, younger Bettas will lay fewer eggs than older ones. That’s because they haven’t had as much time to grow and mature.
As they get older, they will lay more. This is because they will have reached their full size and their bodies will be able to produce a larger number of eggs. Producing eggs, let alone healthy eggs, can take a lot of energy, so only adult Bettas can typically spare the energy for it.
Bettas typically become sexually mature by the time they’re around 3 months. However, it’s not recommended that you breed them or let them spawn during this time. Not only is it stressful for your young Betta, but it’s also very risky. It’s best to wait anywhere from 8-12 months if you want the optimum age to breed your female Betta.
Female Betta Health
Healthy animals tend to have more babies, and the same goes true for female Bettas. A female Betta in good health will lay more eggs than one that’s not.
As mentioned above, egg production can take up a lot of energy, so they need to be in good health to produce healthy eggs and spawn healthy fry.
There are a few things you can do to keep your female in the best conditions for pregnancy. First, you should make sure that she’s well-fed. A diet rich in protein will help her to produce more eggs. Opt for foods like Ultra Fresh Betta Pro Shrimp Patties, Fluval Bug Bites, and Tetra Betta Small Pellets are great options. You can also feed them live foods like brine shrimp.
You should also make sure that she’s living in clean water. As we mentioned earlier, water quality can have an effect on the number of eggs a female Betta produces.
Finally, you should make sure that she’s not under any stress. Stress can cause a female Betta to produce fewer eggs. So, if you want her to lay as many eggs as possible, you should do everything you can to make sure she’s happy and stress-free.
Spawning Experience
Finally, the spawning experience can also affect how many eggs a female Betta produces. Generally, first-time breeders will lay fewer eggs than those who have done it before.
This is because they’re still learning the ropes, so to speak. As they get more experience, they’ll get better at it and will lay more eggs.
How Often Do Betta Fish Lay Eggs?
Betta fish can lay eggs every few weeks or so. However, they usually don’t lay them that often.
Most Bettas will only lay eggs once or twice a year. Some may even only do it once every two years. There are a few things that affect how often they lay eggs, which we’ll discuss below.
Age
As we mentioned before, age can play a role in how often Bettas lay eggs. Younger fish will typically lay eggs less often than older ones. This is because they’re still growing and their bodies aren’t ready to produce eggs as often.
Older Bettas, on the other hand, will usually lay eggs more frequently. This is because they’ve reached their full size and their bodies are able to create eggs more often.
Spawning Experience
Another thing that can affect how often Bettas lay eggs is their spawning experience. Generally, first-time breeders will lay eggs less often than those who have done it before.
This is because they’re still learning the ropes, so to speak. As they get more experience, they’ll get better at it and will lay eggs more often.
Health
Lastly, the health of the Betta can also play a role in how often they lay eggs. Healthy fish will typically lay eggs more often than those that are not.
This is because their bodies are able to produce eggs more efficiently when they’re healthy. So, if you want your Betta to lay eggs more often, you should make sure they’re in good health.
Why Are My Betta Fish Eggs Not Hatching?
If you’ve found Betta fish eggs and are wondering why they’re not hatching, there are a few things that could be the cause.
First, it’s possible that the eggs are infertile. Infertile eggs can happen for a number of reasons, such as if the male and the female Betta fish aren’t compatible or if the female is too young or old.
It’s also possible that the eggs were not fertilized properly. This can happen if the female and the male Betta fish are not close enough together when spawning or if the female lays her eggs too early.
Finally, it’s possible that the eggs have been damaged. This can happen if they’ve been in water that’s too cold or too hot, if they’ve been exposed to chemicals, or if they’ve been eaten by other fish.
If you’re not sure why your Betta’s eggs are not hatching, it’s best to consult with a veterinarian or an experienced breeder. They’ll be able to help you figure out the cause and what you can do to fix it.
Conclusion
Now you know what Betta fish eggs look like. We’ve also talked about how many eggs Bettas lay, how often they lay them, and even the reasons why they may not be hatching.
If you’re thinking about Betta fish breeding, then make sure you do your research first. There’s a lot to know and you want to make sure you’re prepared. But if you’re up for the challenge, then breeding Bettas can be a fun and rewarding experience!
Recommended Reading:
- How To Tell If Your Betta Fish Is Pregnant – Common Signs To Look For
- Betta Sorority Tank – Everything You Need To Set One Up
- Are More Than One Betta Fish Able To Live In The Same Tank? Factors To Consider
- The Ultimate Guide To Betta Bubble Nests – All You Need To Know
- Can Betta Fish Change Color Over Time? It Depends On Several Factors
- Do Betta Fish Sleep And Take Naps? Everything You Need To Know About Betta Fish Sleep
- What Do Angelfish Eggs Look Like? Egg Stages, Proper Care, & More
- How Frequently Do Koi Fish Lay Eggs? All About Koi Fish Reproduction & Care
- How Frequently Do Cory Catfish Lay Eggs? All About Cory Catfish Reproduction & Care
