Boy Is Being Lazy

[ilovebaldkitties]

My boy wont make a bubble nest, my female has had an eggy belly for a week now. Both are flaring at each other constantly. She liked him before, now she charges at him. He refuses to make a bubble nest even when presented with several kinds of platforms to do so. They are fed a healthy varried diet, water is kept clean, areated and in perfect conditions. He just doesnt seem interested at all. Both are very healthy. Have tried all the steps that I have read but nothing but bad tempers have arrised. What am I doing wrong? I welcome your advise and criticism.
Thanks....Amanda

 

[Danno]

Cut a styrofoam cup in half (cave-like) and float it on the top of the water. He should find it suiting.

 

[ilovebaldkitties]

Cut a styrofoam cup in half (cave-like) and float it on the top of the water. He should find it suiting.

Thanks but I've tried that, a special leaf and other things.

 

[Danno]

How old is he? Has he bread before?

 

[mommyof2bettas]

Not all bettas will breed, not all bettas want to build nests, or get along well when breeding. If it's not working out for them, maybe condition them and try again.. and if it still doesn't work out, then think about choosing a different male or female, a different pair overall.

 

[Amerce]

For the males who won't or make pathetic bubble nests I use bubble wrap (what few pathetic bubbles they make get trapped in the hollows of the pladstic) also I make sure that there is slightly more IAL in the water to ensure that the nest stays together a bit better it also helps them get more in the spawning mood.

 

[Lynda B]

If he doesn't want to breed, for whatever reason, don't force it. You'd only end up with a really weak spawn. Maybe he has a "headache".....

 

[dixiedawn]

B)-->QUOTE(Lynda B @ Jul 19 2007, 10:49 AM) [snapback]1696883[/snapback]
If he doesn't want to breed, for whatever reason, don't force it. You'd only end up with a really weak spawn. Maybe he has a "headache"..... [/quote]

 

[Lynda B]

not that I've ever used that pathetic excuse but you know, a girl hears things.....

 

[K.J.]

I've heard if you have a 10 gallon you can let them chase each other for a bit, and the male might get more serious knowing he can actually touch her. But don't leave her in unsupervised, and make sure there is a LOT of cover.

 

[Lynda B]

I've heard if you have a 10 gallon you can let them chase each other for a bit, and the male might get more serious knowing he can actually touch her. But don't leave her in unsupervised, and make sure there is a LOT of cover.

Um..... not really how it works. He can't touch her until they actually spawn, and that's only if she allows it. The female calls the shots here.

The male should be working on a nest, that's how you know he wants to breed. The female should be eggy and, depending on her coloring, displaying barring/stripes, that's how you know she wants to breed. Do not release her into the tank until he has done lots of work on his nest and he approaches her. Then, she can be released. After a minor bit of chasing around, she should have an interest in his nest. If she does not even want to look at it, spawning will not happen. And he will know this. And he'll probably attack her. She must be immediately removed from the tank at this point. If she does show interest in his nest, and approves of it, she will spawn with him. When they are done, he will try to kill her if she's not removed from the vicinity of the nest.

It's a very careful process. Many females have been killed by being introduced at the wrong time.

 

[mommyof2bettas]

Also, if you have another boy that makes nests, sneak one of his under the cup of your breeder, so the work is already done for him. Maybe he'll start working on that nest, maybe he'll think there's competition and builds another, possibly bigger, nest.

 

[ilovebaldkitties]

Also, if you have another boy that makes nests, sneak one of his under the cup of your breeder, so the work is already done for him. Maybe he'll start working on that nest, maybe he'll think there's competition and builds another, possibly bigger, nest.

Thanks for all of the advise. I think I just have a very lazy boy on my hands. I may have to get another. I love him though Im more worried that my female will die from not spawning because she is very eggy.

 

[Lynda B]

She won't die.....

Did you buy them specifically for breeding? If so, where did you buy them? The bettas that you purchase in a typical lfs are already either in prime breeding age or just past it. Very hard to have good luck with them. You should be breeding stock from a reputable seller, someone in the IBC (International Betta Congress) is best. You'll get high quality, healthy bettas.