Male betta fish do not lay eggs; in their breeding behavior, they only take on the roles of fertilizing eggs and protecting them. Below is a detailed analysis:
Clear Division of Breeding Roles
Betta fish are oviparous (egg-laying fish). During the breeding process, female bettas are responsible for laying eggs, while male bettas participate by building bubble nests, performing courtship dances, and guarding fertilized eggs. Male bettas blow mucus-covered bubbles to form bubble nests. After luring females to lay eggs, they pick up the fertilized eggs in their mouths and place them back into the bubble nests for protection.
Physiological Limitations
Betta fish reproduce via external fertilization. Male bettas fertilize eggs in the water by releasing sperm and lack the physiological ability to lay eggs. The behavior where males wrap around females during mating is only to stimulate egg-laying, not for internal fertilization.
Egg-Guarding Behavior
After spawning, male bettas continuously guard the bubble nests. They fan water over the eggs with their fins to supply oxygen and remove unfertilized eggs (white eggs). If they notice females eating the eggs, male bettas may hold the remaining eggs in their mouths to aid incubation.
Conclusion
In breeding, male bettas only take on the responsibilities of courtship, fertilization, and egg protection. The act of laying eggs is exclusively performed by female bettas.