Betta Eggs

[Thyra]

This may sound like a stupid question, but do female bettas produce eggs even if no male is present? Maybe I should say " Will they spawn?" I have at least one betta that looks like she could be carrying eggs. I guess what I am saying is will egg laying fish produce eggs like chickens do without necessarily getting them fertilized?

 

[OrangeCones]

Egg layers often lay unfertiized eggs with no male present. Given good food and conditions, they do this quite often. It is not noticed by most fishkeepers as the eggs are normally eaten by the tank's inhabitants.

 

[Thyra]

Thanks, OC, I was suspecting that was the case.

 

[OrangeCones]

You're welcome! It happens with livebearers also, but since they can store sperm from a prior mating, its not as common.