Betta Problems...?

Question

Okay, I am trying so hard to breed my bettas, but it just isn't working for me. I am having two problems;
1. Female does not show vertical bars.
2. Male will not build a bubblenest.

Here is EXACTLY what i did to the tank to prepare;
- Tank is exactly 5 gallons.
- Filled 5 and a half inches of water.
- Submersible heater added set at 81° F.
- Sponge Filter, safe for fry.
- Plastic, large leafed plants and a styrofoam cup added for the nest. (Male chooses what he wants to build it under, So I've given him options.)

Here is the EXACT FISH INFO;

MALE:
- Blue Veiltail
- Aprox. 2 inches long.
- 3 day conditioning period.
BEHAVIOR:
- Flaring and showing off his display of fins at the female.
- Acting 'insane' and wanting to get at the female.
PROBLEM:
- Male is showing all signs of readiness BUT WILL NOT build a bubblenest. What he will do is display for the female, then go to the nest spot and blow 2 or 3 bubbles and will display for her again. (WILL CONTINUE BELOW)

(The chimney glass is right next to the nest.) He doesn't blow enough bubbles to make a nest. The 2 or 3 bubbles he blew pop before he returns to blow 2 or 3 more. It's been a never ending cycle of this for 2 days now.

FEMALE:
- Red colored.
- Aprox. 1 and a half inches long.
- 1 week conditioning period.
BEHAVIOR:
- Head down when male displays to her.
- Belly plump and full of eggs.
- White tube sticking out under her belly.
PROBLEM:
-Female alsoshowing all signs of readiness but WILL NOT Show vertical bars on her. (No fear horizontal ones either.)


I need EXPERT Advice on this, I have done all I can do and still no spawn. AT THE MOMENT the female is still in her chimney glass in the breeding tank, click the link below to see my setup. (Plants added after picture was taken)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v56/Fousgirl/Wholetank.png

(REST WILL BE POSTED BELOW)

Please I DO NOT want someone telling me to remove them and start over, I have done that, and I also repeat, I NEED EXPERT ADVICE on this.I'd prefer step-by-step advice on what to do and why what I am currently doing is not working. And yes, this is my first time attempting to breed.

REPLY TO ANSWERS:

To prof.: I will do a water change, thanks! And I feed them freezedried bloodworms 3 or more times a day.

To Nunya: They seem to like eachother though, they show the signs, but thanks for the forum!

To Dalton: Yes, I agree, but I see so many breeders use styrofoam cups cut in half. And any ideas as to what stors to get safe, disease free live plants?

To 8: Yes, this is my 5th time trying to breed, my second female and my third male. It must be me. :\ Another question, should I take her out of her glass and see what happens?

To Proffesor: Thank you, I will get some Java fern today. And I actually added my other male into the tank (protected of course!) He blew a few bubbles but then again got distracted. :\ I have another female but she always has a horizontal stripe on her, i've heard that means she is young, scared, and/or unable to breed.

Answer 1

I'm not an expert but maybe they don't like each other that way. Not all bettas will breed with all bettas. Check out this forum, http://www.fishforums.net/
I haven't been on there in a while but they had a few betta breeders that I'm sure can help you out a lot better.

Answer 2

Do a partial water change.. Fresh water will stimulate them.
And feed them good quality high protein foods. Frozen or live.

here are some foods.
http://www.healthybetta.com/articles/New%20To%20Bettas/food.html

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i just got a betta a few days ago and he's making bubbles like crazy on his own without a female there. Just find a male that's making bubbles? I have Java Ferns in my gallon bowl. The leaf is long enough to reach the surface of the water. The betta started building a nest under the leaf.

I printed out a picture of a female betta with vertical stripes from the computer and put it up against the bowl to see if he reacts... He was dancing for 'her'... that's a quick way to see. :)

OH!. put a mirror by the tank to make him think there is a male there too! That'll get his juices going..
And maybe the female isn't receptive to the male as well. LOVE :/

Answer 3

use like a seaweed/grassy pland with long thin blades. some males just cant stick the bubbles together and the thin blades help by giving toe bubbles more support.
when the male makes new bubbles,he pops the old ones.the long blades help preserve the bubbles.
put it very close to the large leafed plant
plus,plastic doesnt work as well
you need to buy some inexpensive live plants

Answer 4

Sometimes the male just doesn't get it! In that case, you might want to try another one. Try to find one that has a lot of bubbles in his cup.

Some males are possibly too young to spawn. It takes time for them to mature even though they show the fins and attitude of an adult fish.

Answer 5

I would add two more female bettas. One female can get easily over whelmed by a male. Look at this website www-ask-the-vet.com/betta-fish-care.htm, they have a section just for breeding bettas.

Good Luck and Take Care