[indjo]

+1 Fabian - float the female for 2-3 days before releasing.
Use lots - I mean stuff live plants in one corner or 1 half of the tank. Make it so that male/female have a hard time getting in. Add hide outs where male can't see female.

When breeding bettas, beat up female is very normal. An aggressive male will be more aggressive if you put female in and out. Let him rest in total solitary for at least 2 weeks. Then try again on a week end. Release female just before dark (don't use extra light) or at night. They should become less active at night, without light. But at the same time can sense each other. . . . make sure the female is willing/ready to breed.

 

[indjo]

Method 1
1. Make female aggressive - as aggressive as you can. Flare her regularly during the conditioning period for about 5-15 minutes. If possible to a female with similar colors to male. IME, aggressive females breeds faster.
2. Make sure she is in "breeding mode" so when you float her, she flirts.
3. Float her on Thursday/Friday so you can hawkeye the pair during the week end. If possible use lamp chimney or something with holes so each could sense the other.
4. Before mid day (80% of mine spawn in the morning) hawkeye your female. If she is less active, head down (totally submissive) - release her. . . . she should almost immediately spawn. If the male is too aggressive, it may take longer.
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Method 2 (never had to try this)
1. Put male in breeding tank.
2. Float a few females each in plastic bags (so male doesn't hurt himself). Any female will do.
3. After a day or 2, float the female you want to breed with other females.
4. When he calms down (it may take 1-3 days or longer, depending on individual male), remove other females with an hour interval.
5. Hawkeye your female's behavior, if totally submissive, release.

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Every male is different. in fact they will also behave differently during each spawn. So it's hard to say why your male acts the way he does. Yes, no one likes dead females, not even the male. Lol Its always better to be safe. You have done all you can with hide outs. There's nothing more you can do. If this male is too aggressive (after the above methods), perhaps you may want to use a different male.

Good luck, hope the above works for you.

 

[indjo]

Yes.
There are a number of ways to make bettas more aggressive.
Eg. keeping them in total darkness in solitary - only taken out for their morning sunbath.
Flaring to mirror or other bettas.
Flicking their caudal with a long toothpick sized stick.
Plus extreme methods which I won't discuss.

Keep in mind that the most basic key to getting them aggressive and wanting to breed is good health.