Bubbling Basics

(Since I have delayed my project until this summer, I figured I would put some random facts up about bettas and their habits in consistency with spawning.)

As many people who own bettas know, the males constantly make a bubble nest in the corner of their tank (if their water is still standing). It almost looks like foam on top of the water. Many beginners with bettas often mistake it for putting too many chemicals in the water. This is not the case. Males have an instinctual need to make a nest, in case of impressing any passing females.

(This nest was made by my betta Caspian AFTER I tried to breed him.
He never made one while in the spawning tank. T'was quite the disappointment.)

The nests keeps the eggs and (hopefully) young fry in place until they are able to swim on their own. Occasionally, the eggs and fry will fall out of this nest. This is why the father is on vigilant guard duty until they're ready to brave the waters themselves. Seeing a helpless baby fall out of the bubbles alerts him. He will quickly grab them up in his mouth, and spit them back into the nest. The fry are so small that they latch into the bubbles with ease.



Tiny fry are almost impossible to see for a while. One of the only ways you really can spot them is by focusing on their black, beady eyes. They show up against the background of bubbles. While they're in the nest and protected by their father, they will begin develop by feeding on their egg sacs. With any luck, you'll soon be feeding them microworms and have them grow into full fledged adults.

Possible Spawning Predicaments

Someone may also be thinking "What is so complicated about spawning fish? Don't you just throw them in together and let them have at it?"

Sadly, bettas like to make life MUCH harder than that, my friends. This is no simple task. Unlike guppies, you can't just throw two in together and watch your tank explode with tiny baby fish. Bettas are picky. They must have everything the way they want it. Sometimes, it's for good reason. Other times, it makes very little since to me why it needs to be such a way.

The spawning tank is typically 5 to 10 gallons. It is only to be filled halfway with water, kept around an 80 to 82 degree temperature, and kept completely gravel-less on the bottom (this is for the collection of the fertilized eggs). A slow bubbling carbon filter should be added to help water clarity. Along with this you will also need the right chemicals, a cluster of plants thick enough to hide in, a way to temporarily separate the female from the male, and half a Styrofoam cup.
...yes, I just said what you think I said.
The half a cup is place in a way that a male betta can blow a bubble nest. The male betta cares for the eggs and young hatchlings with this creation. He will keep them wedged between the bubbles in a comfortable cushion of protection. Nothing, not even the female, is allowed near this nest after spawning.

And no, being picky does not stop here.
As I have SADLY experienced, you can get a few pairs of bettas (or lots of pairs of bettas) that will refuse to spawn even in the best of conditions. The males are not going to strut their stuff for just any female, and the girls will not always be impressed by what the male has to offer.
Not to mention, there is no guarantee the male will know what he is doing. Eggs could accidentally be eaten by him, fry left on the bottom of the tank away from the comfort of the nest... there is no telling what could happen next.

This is why I ask for a few little prayers. Once I get everything together, I truly want to to be successful this time!