what does it mean when a male betta wont make a bubble nest for afemale betta?

Answer 1

It usually means something's wrong with his living conditions or health.

1) Bettas are tropical, so they should have a water temperature of 76-86oF (80o+ is best for breeding).

2) If you have him in a tank with a filter, there might be too much water movement for the nest to stay together. You can add some floating plants, a styrofoam cup cut in half (http://www.flippersandfins.net/Images/BettaCup2A.jpg ), or reduce the flow through the filter/air pump.

3) It may also need to have the water changed if there's high levels of ammonia or nitrite (typical in a spawning tank, since there shouldn't be any gravel, and new breeders just add water and fish - there's no bacteria to convert the harmful products of the fish's wastes.

4) If the betta is new, or was just put into the spawning tank, he may still be getting acclimated to the new surroundings.

5) if new, he may also have an illness that's not (yet) evident.