Male Betta is making bubble nest - what should I do?

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pookiemct07

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Oct 11, 2004
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One of my bettas, Sonic, keeps making bubble nests in his gallon bowl. Now don't laugh, but do you think it's mean to keep him from breeding? I don't have a female betta but could easily get one and then put her in with my white clouds when she's done laying eggs in Sonic's bowl. Now here's a really dumb question and you can laugh if you want, I guess. Does the male have to even be there when the female lays eggs? I don't want him to hurt her but I doubt she'd just see the bubble nest and say, "Hey, that gob o' bubbles puts me in the mood for laying eggs! I think I will!" Sonic, by the way, is pretty peaceful. His deskmate, Spartacus, is always flaring his fins and posturing at him and he just ignores it. In fact, he seems to think it's funny to antagonize him by swimming close to the place where their fish bowls come closest. :confused:
 
It is common for them to make bubble nests. Don't worry about it and don't get a female unless you are serious about breeding and have the room to take care of the potential 300 or more babies that are produced. And there is a good chance that breeding may lead to the death of one or the other.
 
I am a Betta breeder. There's no reason to be concerned about him making the bubble nests. In my experience, I have noticed that the males tend to make bubble nests more frequently if there is another male or female in sight, however, also his own reflection can cause it to happen more frequently. It's not mean to keep him from breeding. Also, the males and females you put together to breed really need to "mesh" for anything productive to happen. Unless you are prepared for a lot of hard work and you have plenty of space for the 300+ babies, I wouldn't recommend breeding them just yet =) And yes, the male does need to be present for the female to lay eggs. He will wrap himself around her and squeeze the eggs out, then they both go to the bottom to pick the eggs up to either bring them to the bubble nest, or they can also eat the eggs. I hope this information helps!
 
okee-dokee

Thanks for the replies. Guess I don't need to be psychoanalyzing my fish to that extent, huh? I know most (human) guys wouldn't want to be celibate ;) and I do want him to be reasonably happy. But yeah, you're right about the 300 offspring. I don't think I'm prepared to go to such financial lengths for a $3.50 fish. Sorry, Sonic!!
 
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