Breeding bettas questions.?

[Mysterigirl27]

I have been doing some research and I read bettatalk.com in its entirety, however, I still have a couple more questions. I have been debating breeding bettas but definitely think of expense, procedures, and housing. I have had a veil tail since October and he has made a bubble nest several times. I was at the pet store and was looking at the females and ended up leaving with a female and male crowntail. I have read that veil tails do not sell as well. (poor guy he really wants to breed). My questions are now...

1. Why is it recommended to lower the water to half of the tank?
2. Should the actual breeding tank be free of gravel? If not, would it be hard for the male to pick up eggs if there is gravel?
3. My female has a big rounded stomach I guess you could say...I'm wondering if she's already filled with eggs. I didn't notice it at the store. It is really noticeable and it looks like a bit odd, but I've never seen a betta full of eggs. Sound like eggs?
4. Tank size for fry??
I know using store stock is discouraged, but I thought I'd start out with them and see how it goes. If it goes well I'll invest more in my bettas...if I suck at it, I'll stop. My crowntails don't look anything a like but they are both beautiful colors. ( I know multi colors are discouraged too...but) ;o)
okay, so if she is full of eggs will she hold onto them until I put her with a male or will she drop unfertilized eggs?

[Skye C]

chances are that she is pregnant!

[iicyiice]

shes pregnant

[White_Rose_Maiden]

She is NOT pregnant, as betta splendens DO NOT do internal insemination, nor do they birth live young.
The tank water should be lower so that the microorganisms in the water aren't too dispersed for the bettas. They do kinda need to find their food before they can eat it.
No gravel. It encourages the growth of algae and it prevents the male from doing his parental duties.
She may be filled with eggs, or she may be bloated or have a disease. Read the betta health forums and see if any symptoms are apparent in your female.
I bred my bettas in a ten gallon, and left the fry in it. It was a spawn of about two-hundred, and the tank size seems to have worked fairly well.
I bred veiltails, only because I wanted experience and to have the satisfaction of knowing that I've helped create life, and not for monetary gratification. I would feel bad, exploiting my animals for money. I give them to my friends, who I know will take good care of them (or face my wrath).