culling

[k stiles]

I totally agree with doggyhog

[dramaqueen]

I wouldn't want my fry suffering and having no chance at a comfortable life. I agree with doggyhog. If you're going to cull, please do it humanely.

[andakin]

the amount of work that goes into water changes and feeding is never ending. after jarring 25, i realize how quickly i am running out of room. i am still left with another 25 really aggressive fish in the small 10 gallon grow out tank.




i need to do some serious culling, and soon. where do i go after eliminating the ones with visible deformities? as monstrous as it sounds, im looking for reasons to kill. my next round of culls will probably be the little ones.

many will accuse me of being an incompetent and that i should not breed if i cant care for all of them. thats easier said than done. dont judge if you havent had to face this issue. i dont mean to sound snobby but i know i can raise each and every single one. i choose not to because thats not my goal.

[dramaqueen]

Eggs CAN be removed from the nest right after spawning if it's done carefully. Here is some info from Bettatalk about how to remove eggs after spawning. The eggs are removed right away, before they have a chance to develop into babies.

So here is how to remove the eggs, step by step:

first of all, once the spawning is done, use a flashlight to see where the eggs have been stored inside the nest. They may be all over, or clumped in one or two spots. They are easy to see since they look a bit yellowish. Look at them from UNDER.

now, remove the female.

while you are in there, this is the best time to also remove extra eggs - this way you only disturbed the male once.

take a clean plastic spoon

carefully dip the spoon near the nest by entering the water surface vertically (so to displace almost no water). Slowly maneuver the spoon under the nest. Level the spoon so it is horizontal and slide it slowly under the spot with most eggs. Scoop up bubbles and the eggs, keeping the spoon mainly horizontal but at a slight bit of an angle when exiting at the surface so to not displace much water at all (it will disrupt the nest less that way) but so the eggs you scooped up will still not fall back into the water.

if the nest is under a stirofoam cup, you will have to lift the cup up gently so to access the eggs and remove them. This will result in the nest sliding partly out, but that is OK. Remove the eggs, then lower the cup back into the water while trying to move it over the majority of the nest and getting as much of it back under the cup - the male will fix the rest.

[doggyhog]

Andakin, I respect your choice to cull. Don't cull those little ones yet, late bloomers are usually the most awesome and healthiest fish. At least save a few. :)

[doggyhog]

OH, and are you housing females together? Or Jarring them?

[Kim]

You know, on another forum I'm a member of they have an adoption center. There are usually many people willing to take culls. You could try posting them up for adoption here, or even join that forum because I think it has more members than the betta section here. The website is ultimatebettas.com

[iheartmyfishies]

I believe that if breeders don't cull because of softness of heart, the overall quality and beauty of the species will slowly but surely decrease. In fifty years, there might be entire strains of bettas born with insufficient finnage. But yes, humane euthanasia is a must in my book.

[Rohland]

I agree with you andakin, I know you can care for them. If you thought my earlier comment was about you it wasnt. It was ment to be viewed as people who cannot provide basic needs and still want to spawn. I understand what your trying to accomplish and agree with it. Is that another spawning happening in your tank?

[Kim]

Originally Posted by iheartmyfishies

I believe that if breeders don't cull because of softness of heart, the overall quality and beauty of the species will slowly but surely decrease. In fifty years, there might be entire strains of bettas born with insufficient finnage. But yes, humane euthanasia is a must in my book.

Yes, I agree somewhat with this point. The major factor is that people should not continue to breed subpar fry, then the deficiencies would end with that one fry. Just as with every animal, responsible breeding is a must to keep the species or breed as good as it can be.