Betta fish mate through a fascinating and elaborate process involving bubble nest building, courtship, and spawning:

• Bubble Nest Building: The male betta first builds a bubble nest at the water surface using saliva bubbles, sometimes incorporating plant material. This nest serves as a protective place for the eggs

• Courtship: The male displays vibrant colors, flares his fins, and performs a mating dance to attract the female. The female responds by showing vertical breeding bars on her body and darkening in color if receptive

• Spawning (Mating): Once the female is ready, the male wraps his body around her in an embrace, helping her release eggs. The eggs sink, and the male collects them in his mouth and places them into the bubble nest

• Post-Spawning Behavior: After spawning, the female is usually removed to prevent aggression from the male, who then guards and tends the eggs in the nest until they hatch

The entire mating process involves chasing, flaring, and repeated embraces over a few hours. The male's care for the eggs includes protecting and keeping them in the bubble nest until the fry become free-swimming

. In summary, betta fish mating is a ritualized process centered on the male's bubble nest, courtship displays, physical spawning embrace, and subsequent male parental care of the eggs