Can online videos posted by hobbyists be useful for conservation and science? A YouTube case study of the reproduction of the endangered white-edged fighting fish, Betta albimarginata

The breeding aspects of white-edged fighting fish (Betta albimarginata) through YouTube videos were investigated in this study. Four videos were analysed for their coverage of key breeding aspects, including set-up, identification of sexes, spawning behaviour, incubation, larval rearing and other original observations. The results show considerable variability in the completeness of these aspects across the videos, with L-FATIH Channel and animal_guyy providing the most comprehensive information. Breeding set-ups ranged from large breeding tanks, with no specific cave mention to the use of coconut shell caves for spawning. Spawning behaviours were largely similar, featuring a ‘breeding hug,’ but differed in the use of caves for egg placement. The incubation process was well documented, with mouth-brooding males keeping eggs for 14–21 days. However, variations in larval rearing practices were observed, with some videos lacking details on feeding and growth. Original observations, such as the use of Terminalia catappa leaves to influence water quality, were also recorded. This study emphasizes the potential of YouTube as an educational tool for documenting B. albimarginata breeding techniques and highlights the need for more standardized and comprehensive breeding guides. By improving the accessibility of breeding information through platforms like YouTube, hobbyists can contribute to an in-depth knowledge of breeding of threatened species, which could then be useful to implement conservative aquaculture programmes.