My first bubble nest :)

[joannde]

I've been wondering why NONE of my bettas have made a bubble nest - I was really beginning to wonder about my husbandry !
Today "unnamed Red" (who now has a name ! LOL - I've officially dubbed him Mr Happy Red !) started making a bubble nest. I was entranced watching him take in a gulp of air and then methodically place his little bubbles in an expanding circle .... the nest isn't very big (about the size of a quarter so far) but I'm still THRILLED ..... LOL I'm so excited about this - I just HAD to share !!

[HannahJ]

Heh, was there a change in the weather where you live? That gets my bettas making nests all over the place.

[Stretch]

Can anyone post a picture of this? I've never seen one before. Thanks!

[HannahJ]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bubble_nest has the following good picture, and some helpful info.

[hulkamaniac]

Do bubblenests always signify that the betta is ready to breed or do some do it just for fun?

[HannahJ]

Most healthy males will keep at least a small bubblenest at all times. But then, most males are always ready to breed, too, so that doesn't say much. Changes in the weather, putting two males next to each others, or putting a female in sight are all reasons for them to create/add to a bubblenest, but largely, bubblenests are just a sign that a betta is happy and healthy. Because of this, if you ever want to buy a betta from your LFS, a good way to find a good betta is to try and pick one that has blown some bubbles in its cup.

Hope that helped!

[tropicfishman]

good point HannahJ, the bubbles o mean they are happy, I can't wait until I buy another betta, I miss mine

[Pinky]

congrats on your first nest

Originally Posted by Stretch

Can anyone post a picture of this? I've never seen one before. Thanks!

heres one my girls made

and this is the largest one i've gotten from bixbite, it's usually quarter sized.

[joannde]

Interesting about the weather changes - it has been more humid lately, and we FINALLY got a bit of rain one day (its been close to 4 months with barely a drop of rain). The bettas have a view of the outdoors - I wonder if thats what did it ? Really interesting.

Unfortunately the silly little fish swam right through his own bubble nest and broke it up. But all the bettas (except for Spot who is in the kitchen and can't see the outdoors) have blown a few bubbles here and there. Mr Happy was making his bubbles nice and neat - I hope he starts another one so that I can watch him again. It really was fascinating to watch.

Edit: I DO know what changed ! Yesterday I replaced the 10W incandesant lights with 13W compact florescents. Could that have led him to build a bubble nest ? (and he's building another one now - larger than the first)