I would kind of like to breed my betta I've had for a year now... I've been researching this for a while, but I have a few questions. Does anyone know if it'd be ok to house the fry in my 10 gallon with platty fry? Or should I get a new tank? Also, if I can't feed bbs, which I don't think I will be able to, is there something else I can feed the fry? And can I put the female in a breeder box (for livebearers) instead of a divider to let them see each other? Do you know if a pet store female could be a good one to breed? I've heard they are too old once they are sold to pet stores usually. If you have any experience with this, I could really use your help! And if you could run me through what you do for your breeding bettas each breeding that would be awesome
I think I may be able to help you, though I've never personally bred bettas before.
For the fry question: there will be lots of fry, I mean like over a hundred of them. You'll need something bigger than a 10g with platy fry. Plus they give off a pheromone that makes the other fry stop growing. And then you have the male fry that will start attacking each other when they get older. Yeah, it's a pretty big mess.
As for a bigger tank, you should look at the divided racks and such. There's a proper name for it, betta barracks(!) that would be ok. You could also put them in mason jars or such to grow out. But you'll have to properly heat them an change the water everyday...
There are other things that you could feed them. Micro worms are one example. Go look up some more live foods. I don't remember them right now but there are some. These cultures pretty much keep themselves going after they have been established.
Yes you can put the female in a breeder box. Or even a plastic cup for show. It works just as well
Female bettas from the store may work. Look for a smaller (younger) one. Or you could order one online. There are some US breeder that sell VERY nice bettas for really reasonable prices. The only catch is the shipping but that's not too bad...
I have a few more things to say, that aren't in your questions. One, are you willing to cull your babies? There will be some with deformities that will need to be disposed of. There will be a lot of other ones that just won't make it, are you okay with that? Another thing is, will you have homes for all of your bettas? There will be people on here and maybe aquabid that might take them, but what about others? Are you willing to part from them? Also, be aware that this is very time consuming. They will need to be constantly watched over and their water readings read frequently. They will need to be fed often as well. These are baby animals and so take a lot of energy into their development, are you willing to put that into it?
I'm not trying to stop you from doing this but just some things to think about before you get into it
Also, here's a good link. This is a really good website/forum about bettas. There's even a section dedicated to breeding bettas. Look through it before you breed them!
http://www.bettafish.com/showthread.php?t=116065
Hope this helps!