Maybe they are hungary? not sure no experience. Check the link below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Betta Fry

I don't have any experience with betta fry - but I'd be more worried about the lack of growth. If the others are outgrowing them at a steady pace, most likely something else going on with these babies? Wouldn't be surprised if in the end they don't survive.

Thats part of what the article adressed, difference of size, not uncommon w/betta fry. Mouth open???? I would guess they aren't getting food BC the larger ones or just cant eat??? Just a guess, thats the first thing that came to mind. Kind of like a baby bird waiting to eat. And thats before re-reading the articles refference to the canaries LOL.

What a great article. thanx for posting it. Like i mentioned previously, these guys have no problems eating. They literally just inhale food.
I think i have it figured out tho. Bloodworms. I started feeding these to my fry a week or so ago. too big maybe for the little guys and caused injury?? Time will tell i suppose. I have them separated out and my boy has built them into his lego city lol, too cute. I will keep my eye on them and post back with any new findings :)

One more thought, I remember reading something about fish having difficulty breathing will sometimes open their mouths. I may be totally wrong, and confusing 2 diferent things. Is there anything that can prevent them rom surfacing? strong filter flow, some type of surface agitation etc.

thanx for your thoughts woe :) the mouths are actuallly stuck in the open position. they have no trouble breathing or getting to the top. I ended up putting them in with the large fry and i believe mother nature is taking care of them one by one... i dont want to sound cold, but really i should have fed them less in the beginning and allowed the smaller ones to perish on their own instead of being their life support system with the 5-6 times/day feedings ;)

got a site for you. www.bettatalk.com
this site is awesome and i believe she has an article on this condition. its a type of disease if i'm not mistaken not a deformity. correct me if i'm wrong. congrats on a succesful spawn.
Bri

Hi Bri :)

Thanx for the site. I went thru the site and i couldnt find any info on my particular problem tho :( a very good site tho, thanx :)

sarah_bella...the mouth being stuck open is a genetic defect....and yes its best to remove them. You will want to produce only the best and healthiest fry you can. After acquiring your breeding stock.....its sometimes best to keep your best fry from the original stock....to grow out...choosing them for form, shape and health. If you develop a good line...you should have less and less fish deformaties and problems....although you most likely will still get a few.

Sierra

thanx sierra :) i had never seen this before. i couldnt cull the babies per se, but i had no qualms about putting them in with the bigger fish. Slowly mother nature is culling them. As the bigger fish get bigger, the population of small fish gets smaller. I can say that i dont plan on breeding anymore bettas for a very long time, it has been a PITA... i despise microworms now lol Next time i breed anything they will have to be mature in less than 6 months... My apistogramma panduro pair seem to be i a lovin kind of mood these days, i wouldnt be surprised to see fry in a week or so..

Thank you for letting me know its a genetic defect and not my fault for feeding them food that was too big.