Abstract

• This study investigated the reproductive performance and subsequent growth rates of the Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens). The breeding experiment compared the effects of two water types (tap water and 40% almond leaf extract water) and three nesting materials (Regiform , Plastic, and Banana leaf) on hatching and survival rates. Statistical analysis showed that the highest hatching rate (70.00%) occurred in tap water with a Plastic nest, while the highest survival rate (53.85%) was achieved in almond extract water with a Plastic nest, indicating the benefit of almond extract for fry survival. Additionally, a four-month growth trial was conducted on B. splendens fingerlings using five different diets: Daphnia (Diet I), Mosquito larvae (Diet II), Pellet feed (Diet III), Mixed feed (Diet IV), and Artemia cysts (Diet V). ANOVA results revealed that live and mixed feed sources—Mosquito larvae (83.72% weight gain), Mixed feed (80.49%), and Daphnia (74.42%)—resulted in significantly higher mean body weights compared to Artemia (P-values < 0.05). Conversely, Artemia showed the highest survival rate (100%), despite the lowest weight gain (41.46%). The findings offer valuable insights for optimizing breeding and feeding protocols in ornamental fish aquaculture.