Betta coccina Breeding Guide

Breeding the Cherry Betta Betta coccina: a blackwater bubble-nester from Sumatran peat swamps, with sexing, spawning and fry care.

Overview

Betta coccina, the Cherry Betta, is a small wild betta of peat swamp forests and associated streams in Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia, where water is acidic (pH as low as 3.0-4.0) with negligible mineral content. Unlike the mouthbrooding wild bettas, this species is a bubble-nester: the male builds a nest and guards the eggs.

Sexing

Males are more colourful and develop longer fins than females as they mature. Spawning females become paler in colour, and dark bars appear on the flanks.

Breeding Setup

• Temperature: 22-30 C
• pH: 4.0-6.0
• Hardness: 18-90 ppm (soft, acidic blackwater)
• Provide nest sites such as tubes, canisters or fine-leaved vegetation

The male will construct a bubble nest inside a tube, canister or among fine-leaved plants, so suitable nest sites should be offered in soft, acidic water.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

Eggs are released in an embrace where the male wraps around the female. Milt and eggs are exchanged, with the female catching eggs between her pelvic fins before the male transfers them to the nest.

Egg & Fry Care

A clutch of fewer than 20 eggs is typical, though broods of up to 50 are not uncommon. Eggs hatch in 24-48 hours and remain in the nest for a further 3-4 days while the yolk sac is absorbed, the male guarding the nest throughout. Once fry swim freely the male loses interest but does not consume them. Fry are large enough to accept motile foods such as microworm and Artemia nauplii immediately, though excessive Artemia may cause health issues.

Common Challenges

Maintaining the very soft, acidic water this species needs is the main difficulty, and stable conditions are required for eggs to develop. Overfeeding fry with Artemia has been linked to health problems, so vary the diet.