Hello,

   A few questions, one are you water levels low say 4-6 inches deep.  This is
very important.  As is temperature needs to be near 80 - 84.  No water movement
on top so bubblers and filters shouldn't be used.  Also feeding the newly hatch
fish is tricky you must feed them pond water or put some lettuce in water for a
few days and feed them this.  You have to feed them often 2-3 times a day. 
This is absolutely critical.  After 2-3 weeks crushed food (which you should
even put a little in the tank when they are very young can solely be used).  
  As far as your question of when you can put them together, the male could be
ready to breed when ever, but it is stressful for the fish so it is better to
wait 2-3 weeks.  The female can be bred in 2 weeks also but I recomend waiting
about 4-5 weeks.  What I do is I have 2 pairs of bettas.  I alternate the two
tanks I have.  So my rotation is as follows.

I started with two breeding pairs and put them in together.  As both broods
grew I eventually split the tank and put the babies all together.  Then I
waited until the babies were about 5-7 weeks then I bred another pair.  By the
time my youngest babies were 5-7 weeks my other fish were two months old and
were ready for seperating. Then this freed up my second tank ready for my next
breeding couple.

Is been rather effective.  You have to be diligent about feeding and cleaning
the tank.  I found the best way to clean my baby tanks is with a net.  Scooping
out the food and crap on the bottom.  A clean tank can be the difference
between 4 babies and 200 babies.  Also make sure the temperature doesn't fluate
to much in the first 5-8 weeks

I hope this helps.
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 * RgateImp.MoonDog.BBS at 1/29/03 12:13:56 PM