Bubble Nests

[BethK]

I've had my male betta for little over 3 weeks now. Within a week of him being in the tank, his colour perked up to an amazing electric blue from a dark blue and he is always on the go

He started laying bubble nests about 2 weeks ago (well, I think they are), they started of pretty small and gradually, each time I made a nest, they got bigger. But I do not have any female bettas but that is my long term goal to get a couple and see if I can successfully mate them.

I came down this morning to find this nest (I think it's a nest);

Is there a reason why these get bigger each time? This is the biggest one out of the 4 he has laid and he seems to be more hyper than usual, is that normal? He isn't particularly aggressive, although he does like winding the tetras up every now and then, he swims up to them, flares up and swims off but never nips them. The tetras keep trying to go for the bubbles every now and then, miyagi (betta, long story about the name!) did get defensive but now he is not bothered at all.

The water sits at a steady 24c.

Is this a common thing with male bettas? Or is he just ready to mate?

If I wsa to get females, how many would you recommend,a s I read somewhere that you should have about 3 or 4. I know they would have to be kept separate, I also have a breeding net (forward thinking).

Ta x

 

[wonton55912]

yea mine get bigger also.... he might be building skill to do it longer each time

 

[silverrabbit]

They tend to keep adding to their bubblenests. My biggest that i've seen has been 7 inches long, busy boy

 

[ellena]

You'll need more than a breeding net! Do a LOT of reading up before you consider breeding-they aren't easy, not least because all the male fry will need to be kept separately once they're old enough to fight. They can have over 100 fry!
Just because your betta is making nests doesn't mean he won't be happy unless he is mated. It just means he's in condition to mate and is happy that the tank conditions would be good too. You aren't denying him anything by not letting him have a female.

 

[BethK]

Ohh I know the breeding process is hard and I'm still uumming and rrrrring about it. My LFS have said that they would take the fry, once they are old enough to be separated. But I'm still in two minds about it all.

I do some times worry that the tank water conditions isn't at it's best but that's only because I do not have my own testing kit (yet, ordered off ebay Fri just gone). But I take it, if he's happy and laying a nest, then I shouldn't panic. I did get a water sample tested a little over a week ago at my LFS and they said it was fine.

I always wanted female bettas, which I may purchase in a few weeks, once my bigger tank is set up. I'll move all the ones in my siggy below, over to the new tank and keep females or a female in my now tank.

I have also got in contact with a local man who breed bettas (wild and splendens). He has said he will be trying to breed this week and has invited me over to watch the process and explain how it all works. I suppose it doesn't hurt

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

oh I had a post on a betta site about breeding them, I was told I could get up to 200 fry. I'll try and find the picture at dinner time of the baby fry....there are loads.

 

[OldMan47]

The simplest statement about the size of nests is far too simple. It reflects the continuing maturation of the male Betta splendens. A simple Betta splendens nest is plenty for any similarly simple breeder.
A nice bubble nest means that your male only is ready to move to the next level of breeding. It means nothing in terms of the female. The condition of females can be determined by observing the female and examining her state of readiness. A female that is ready to breed will exhibit strongly vertical stripes in the form of a simple chevron on her body side. Any such female can be properly introduced into the presence of a male and you can expect the resulting mating to be successful.