Betta foerschi Breeding Guide
Breeding Foersch's Betta Betta foerschi: a Bornean paternal mouthbrooder with an unusual female-fin egg catch and 8-14 day incubation.
Overview
Betta foerschi is a Bornean paternal mouthbrooder that inhabits forest swamp streams and pools, some measured at just a few centimetres deep, with acidic, tannin-stained water. It is an advanced subject; the male incubates the brood orally.
Sexing
Males are more colourful with extended unpaired fins and opercular bars that are orange-red and more well-defined, while females display golden-yellow bars.
Breeding Setup
- Temperature: 22-28 C
- pH: 4.0-6.0
- Hardness: 18-90 ppm (soft, acidic water)
- Tightest-fitting cover possible (some breeders use plastic wrap) to maintain warm humid air
Acidic, tannin-stained, soft water mirroring its swamp habitat and a tight cover to retain humid air are both important for breeding.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Following extended courtship, the pair engage in the typical osphronemid embrace with the male wrapped around the female; multiple practice embraces may precede actual spawning. Unusually, the eggs are caught in the anal fin of the female rather than the male.
Egg & Fry Care
The incubation period lasts 8-14 days, after which males release free-swimming fry. The male may accept food during this period, and the adults tend not to eat the fry. 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 stable, soft acidic water is the main difficulty. As with other mouthbrooders, a disturbed holding male may release the brood early, so keep the breeding tank quiet.