Freshwater

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Part IV: Breeding and Other Fun Stuff
Bubble nest builders
Bubble nest builders lay and incubate their eggs in a nest of bubbles that usually
floats at the surface or is attached to plants. Bettas and gouramis are the
most famous of these bubble nest builders. A male betta builds a floating nest
that he carefully constructs from mucus-coated air bubbles he blows out of
his mouth. Males often use plant debris as a “glue” to help keep the bubbles
together. In some species, the entire nest has a foamy appearance.
Nests are built in different shapes and sizes, depending on the individual
male. Some males complete a nest in a few hours, whereas others take their
time and end up working several days to accomplish the same task. If excess
circulation or other factors damage the nest, the male constantly repairs it as
needed. Often males build more than one nest to impress a female and entice
her into breeding.
The female should be removed immediately after spawning. If the fish do not
spawn, she should still be removed so she does not get attacked by the male.
The betta male cares for the eggs once they are laid and keeps them clean
using chemicals in his mouth. Don’t panic if he picks up eggs in his mouth
and spits them back into the nest, because this is normal. After a few days
the egg case will dissolve and the fry will emerge. This betta example is only
one of the amazing things that you will see while breeding your fish!
Egg scatterers
Egg scatterers must hide their eggs because they do not take care of them
after birth. These species scatter their eggs around decorations, rocks,
plants, and gravel. During the courtship of these species, the male actively
chases his mate and fertilizes her eggs as they fall freely into the water. They
do this for large numbers of eggs at one time, ensuring that some survive by
sheer numbers alone. A few common examples of egg scatterers are danios,
barbs, rasboras, and tetras.
Substrate spawners
Substrate spawners lay their eggs in such a manner that the eggs attach to
one particular area of rocks, driftwood, plants, or substrate. The male of the
species fertilizes the eggs while the female lays them. Common examples of
substrate spawners include some cichlids, catfish, and killifish.
Mouthbrooders have all the fun
Mouthbrooders are unique, because they incubate their eggs in their mouth
until it is time for them to hatch. As the eggs are laid, the male fertilizes them.
The parents (either the male or female) gather them up in their mouths for
protection and incubation. Examples of mouthbrooders are some labyrinth
fish and some cichlids.