Breeding fish can seem like a challenging task to many beginner hobbyists. For successful breeding, hobbyists must maintain their tanks under the right temperature, lighting, and even pick the right decor to encourage their fish to mate. 

Still, there is no greater feeling than seeing your fish produce fry (baby fish), and then raise these little swimmers to maturity. It can give you the chance to learn and share your hobby with family members and friends by giving them the fish you raised. 

If you want to give fish breeding a shot, this blog provides you with key information about how it works:

1. Reasons for aquarium fish breeding

Before you start breeding your aquarium fish, it’s worth noting what your overall goals are with this venture. Are you interested in making money? Is it a new hobby you’d like to try? Do you want to create a new strain of fish? Give some thought about what you want to achieve with fish breeding.

If you want to make some money, for example, you will need more space in your home like a small bedroom or an outdoor shed to maintain several tanks. This prevents the wrong pairs from breeding and allows you to breed fish for yourself and others. Just make sure you can control the temperature in the setting you choose to put your tanks.

2. Best season for breeding fish

Most fish species prefer breeding when the water is warm and the weather is sunny—usually around springtime. You don’t need to place your aquarium tank next to a window to trigger breeding. Instead, you can perform water changes, increase your tank’s temperature just a little higher, and leave the tank lights on longer. You should also provide your fish with food that’s high in protein. 

Once you create a warm environment in your tank, your fish may be stimulated to begin breeding. Also, remember to note: every fish species has a unique way of laying their eggs. That means you will also need to set up your aquarium with plant types, surfaces, and foods that can best encourage your fish to breed.

3. Tips for choosing fish breeds

When it comes to choosing your breeding pairs, think about what type of fish stock you want to create. Many fish come in a variety of colors, sizes, and temperaments. Pick the best breeding pair based on the color and size you like the most.

Check that each breeding pair is healthy by observing the following:

• Swimming patterns: they should be actively swimming around the tank, not lethargic or lying on the floor.
• Eyes: their eyes should be clear and not bulging out.
• Scales: there should be no signs of damage, infection, or tears on their fins and scales.

Try searching for your pairs during winter or springtime at Petland. Our fish are well-conditioned to their environment and can be properly bred under the right conditions.

4. How to set up a breeding tank

Don’t forget to set up your tanks so that they’re ready to go when you’ve selected your breeding pair. Setting up a breeding tank isn’t so different from preparing a regular aquarium. However, to get your fish in the mood to mate, there are a couple of key tips you need to follow first.

• Tank size. When setting up your breeding aquarium, choose a tank that ranges between 10 to 20 gallons in size. A huge tank makes it harder to monitor your fish and their offspring. Of course, if you have larger fish, you will need to increase the size of the tank to accommodate their size.

• Decorations. Decorations like stones and castles are typically used as hiding places by aquarium fish. This reduces their stress, creating a calm environment for them in their own home. In breeding situations, it can also provide safety as the breeding pair grows accustomed to each other.

• Plants. Whether plastic or live, plants are similar to decorations as they provide privacy to your fish. This secure, natural environment can encourage mating between pairs. Many fish species also use plants to lay their eggs and create bubble nests. Ask our Pet Counselors about which plants are the best for your tank and project.

• Substrate. Select the best substrate based on your fish species’ breeding requirements. Many fish can breed without sand or gravel in their tank. Other fish species prefer digging nests so a form of substrate is needed. 

• Heaters and Filters. Fry and eggs are very delicate when it comes to changes in their environment. A slight change in temperature can lead to a potential loss so it’s important to monitor your tank’s temperature and chemical levels. You should also ensure that water movement from filters doesn’t accidentally suffocate the fry in your tank. Avoid using air stones as they can damage eggs and fry.

• Water Issues. You already know that pH, temperature and water hardness are important in fish care. In breeding tanks, each of these are crucial to your fry’s health. Small changes to the temperature or pH balance can be damaging to fry and eggs. Check the pH, temperature, and water hardness your adult and baby fish need to survive in your tank.

5. Caring for your breeding fish

Remember that mating can take time depending on the fish species you plan to breed. Some fish species prefer getting to know their breeding partners before any mating takes place. Your breeding tank should have the appropriate substrate, decor, and chemical levels based on your fish’s species requirements. Your fish must be fed high protein food at least 3 times a day. This ensures your breeding pairs are full of energy for mating and producing eggs.

A good breeding tank will increase the chance of your fish breeding successfully. Just be sure that you’re able to meet the needs of your fish. Some fish species, for example, prefer solitude and will need to be kept separate from its breeding partners. Other fish species are the exact opposite, enjoying the company of large groups. In these cases, you must ensure the fry and eggs are safe from the other fish and even their own parents. We hope these tips help you breed a beautiful strain of fish for your tank and other hobbyists!

Check out our blog, 7 Exotic Freshwater Fish To Keep At Home to learn more about beautiful freshwater fish you can keep!