When to cross out your bettas?

This question comes up a couple of times already. You may have a good line going on for awhile and wondering whether you should or should not cross out. Typical risks of cross out include introduction of unwanted traits into your line, but not crossing out isn't helping either.

So, how do you know that it's the time to cross out?

We usually cross our lines out as soon as F2 but on average on F4. There are occassions when we cross them out as soon as F1, but that's not the norm.

These are some indications when we cross our lines out:

• the new introduced fish is fitting to the plan and carry good quality
• your current line is starting to show some bad traits or defects
• your lines are no longer "strong", e.g. they are easily sick

Note that it takes long time to develop the line, so there isn't a point to abandon it straight out just simply few bad traits are starting to show up. Just as the good traits are accummulated over a number of inbreedings, you can cross out to get rid of the bad traits.

Lots of mistakes are done when people afraid of doing inbreeding. There is tendency of crossing the fish out right away. While that is true and good if you'd like to start a new line, it is devastating if you don't know the history of your fish. Remember what's seen on the surface isn't necessary the genes you're ended up getting. But if you're only chasing the fun of breeding, by all means, take the best 2 of any fish and get them dancing :)

In short, develop your line to the point you know you "nearly" there, and only cross out when you have to or when you know crossing it out will get your much closer there. Crossing out frequently is fun, so from time to time do it...