help (Betta question)?

Question

ive read you are soppose to out a styrofoam cup over the water so he can make him bubble nest.my when i check an hour later this weird oil was coming out. so i tookit out, but what should i replace it with since it wont make it unless i put it in.

Answer 1

Some excellent advice aready but I would just add that floating plants int he tank are an excellent choice if a styrofoam cup isn't available. Also, it's not always needed, if the surface of the water is calm, he can maintain the nest without any thing else in the tank.

The styrofoam cup, floating plants and other items mentioned are only to help keep the nest together if the water is disturbed.

MM

Answer 2

Why are you concerned about the male making a bubble nest if you aren't going to try to spawn them. If you are going to try to spawn them, just put some floating bushy plants in the aquarium with him as you condition the female in a separate tank. I have been keeping fish (and spawning bettas off and on) for 25 years and have never heard the styrofoam thing.

A bubble nest is not a necessary thing for male bettas to do. In fact, once they start feeling the effects of being in a small unheated bowl for a period of time they will stop doing it altogether as they become lethargic, lose their color and stop eating. At this point, they will be waiting to die an early death.

Bettas are tropical fish and need heat (78-82 degrees), a filter and at least 2 gallons of water (with 25% changed about every 4 days). They can be kept in community tanks with non-agressive fish because they are not the raging killers that uninformed newbie fishkeepers think they are. Bettas only fight with other bettas.

Answer 3

I have owned several Betas over the years, and one even lived for four years. It was amazing. That little guy had has his bowl knocked over and was flopping around on the floor. Luckily was near enough to come running. He even took a trip to down the drain when he jump out as I was pouring him back into bowl. That was scary. Lets talk about learning to become a plumber real quick. LOL Luckily the pipes have a trap before it goes down to the sewers. He finally died one day, four years after we had gotten him. I had just cleaned his tank. Found him floating at the top. Go figure.
I have never done anything special to my tanks. I let the water get almost so dirty that I cant see the fish, or until it starts to smell, then of course I clean it. My beta now produces little bubbles but I put in fake fish tank plants that float at the top, so he can have a place to hide, or traphis bubbles. Those plants are made for that, just make sure you rinse it in hot water before adding to the tank.
Try that. They are made for that purpose

Answer 4

The styrofoam probably had something in it from before that you weren't aware of. That was the right idea I think, and the plants mentioned in the answer before mine seems interesting. I would NOT use clear plastic like the other answer indicated. A male Betta seeing his reflection is NOT a good thing. I think that person was not aware that males will fight other male Betta's and would most likely think this is another male and flare and think more of fighting a competitor in his tank, then build a bubble nest.

JV

Answer 5

You don't have to give him a space to make a nest - although it's fun to watch them do it! Good for you to take that cup out of there - the oil, or whatever it was, doesn't sound good for fish.
You could try cutting a small circle from a (clean) plastic bag and floating that on the water. Showing him his reflection in a mirror for a short time may stimulate him to build a nest. Have fun!

Answer 6

I just put a floating plan in my bettas bowl, and he makes a bubble nest always.
Good Luck

2N!$H

Answer 7

I have a male betta. Why are you so concerened about a bubble nest?? he is fine! doesn't need one!