Bubble Nests & Bettas

Q: SS wrote,

I'm afraid my betta is sick. He never blows bubbles and I read that only healthy bettas blow bubble nests. Is there something I can do to get him to blow bubbles?

A: While it's true that healthy male bettas tend to blow bubble nests more then unhealthy bettas it isn't a given that your healthy male will makes nests. First, not all males create nests at the same rate. Some may blow bubbles almost daily while others will only create a few nests per year. Another major factor is your tank set up. The slightest current tends to upset most bubble nests making them impossible to hold. If you have your betta in a tank with a power filter his nests may not stand up to the current. I decided long ago to forgo the nests in favor a more stable aquarium environment. I decided to cycle all my tanks and while the current is minor, I virtually never see any nests. This doesn't mean the bettas aren't healthy. On the contrary I have created a much healthier and stable environment.

Conditioning your betta may prompt him to create more nests but it isn't a sure thing. Conditioning is something breeders often to do get a fish ready to spawn. It usually includes a few weeks of keeping your fish in water similar to its natural environment (slightly acidic in this case) and feeding live or frozen foods. Bringing a female into view may also perk up his interest in creating a nest. There's nothing like the right girl to get a male thinking about a family. ;-)

Just remember that bubble nests are made by healthy males but not all healthy males make nests.