Siam's bubble nest.. *pics*

[flamepony12]

Here is Siam's bubble nest, which he seems to have whipped up in just a few hours! He must be a happy boy!

[sandragonfly]

wow! after for how long you cleaned?? I have exactly the same tank when I first got my betta!

where's siam?

[flamepony12]

I'm pretty sure we cleaned it on Friday, can't remember. hehe...

If you look closely in the bowl in the first pic, you can see him. He's the red blob towards the north side of the pic.

[Buddy Blaze Lover]

Wow, Siam MUST be happy!! Nice bubble nest! Fizz just made a little one the other day!

[buckner]

Very nice!

If I may ask, what's a bubble nest used for? Is there a specific reason they make them?

[sandragonfly]

ah ah I see now.. a happiest balled betta?

[K9soul]

Originally posted by buckner
If I may ask, what's a bubble nest used for? Is there a specific reason they make them?

Male bettas make bubblenests for breeding (when the female lays eggs, the eggs are placed in the bubbles.) It is thought to be a "claiming territory" behavior as well, and is generally done by healthier fish who feel well enough to follow those instincts, however that is not ALWAYS the case, as I saw a quite ill betta (with fungus infection and probable swim bladder disease) in a cup struggling to work on a bubblenest at a pet store. My guess is the instinctual drive is just stronger in some than others.

Conversely, a betta can be in perfect health and not show much inclination to bubblenest. I notice mine in particular nest any time any change is made to their environment, i.e. water changes, plants/gravel moved around, etc. I believe they see a change in the territory and feel the need to reclaim it.

I think it is a good sign, the same way as a healthy appetite is, but I don't think it should be use as the sole gauge to how the fish is doing. I've seen people get worried and upset when their pampered betta doesn't nest when he is otherwise doing wonderfully. Some people might also see a betta in a tiny cup of water bubblenesting and decide they are perfectly happy in such dismal living quarters.

[sandragonfly]

it means they're happy....too, right? and soul, are you saying my betta, drapples is female??

[K9soul]

Not necessarily Gina, not all male bettas make bubblenests , and it doesn't necessarily mean they are unhappy if they don't. Does Drapples have long flowing fins? If so he's probably a boy .

I'd judge happiness more on how active they are, how enthusiastic they are about eating and exploring and so on . I don't know how much I'd purely associate the human emotion of happiness on a breeding behavior done as a result of instincts. I wouldn't judge Tommy's (my dog) happiness purely on if he marks bushes on walks (instinctual territoriality), but more on his overall behavior. I think the same is true of all animals really. If Tommy is marking territory, he's probably feeling fairly comfortable, not sick or terrified. Of course, some male dogs just don't mark at all, Tommy really marks pretty seldom compared to some males. This is just an analogy of two instinctual behaviors (territorial marking, and territorial bubblenesting).

The behavior will vary from individual to individual, and you can't use the same gauge for one individual as you do for another. You have to take their overall behavior and what is normal for them as a gauge to how well they are doing.

Orion is always bubblenesting, daily, but he's also super territorial and aggressive, he even flares his food when I feed him . If he suddenly stopped nesting after he's been doing it continuously week after week, I'd worry about him. Draco is less territorial and generally only bubblenests when there has been some change to his territory. So if he didn't nest for a week or two, I wouldn't worry about it as it's normal for him. They are both active, curious, have good appetites, good color, and seem quite content and I do not think one is happier than the other. I just think they are two different fishies with different personalities and different behaviors. Some people's betta boys never bubblenest but are quite healthy and happy. I do enjoy seeing my guys work on their nests though, they are very cute!

[sandragonfly]

yeah..agree! yes, long happy fins that sways daily. and true about happiness.. I guess I'd say drapples's very sweet because I've never seen him flare! and he's such an explorer!

sorry sorry siam, let's get back to you -- are you happy in yours? have you ever flared? love your red colour! hope to get to see you moreeee *..bubbles*

[flamepony12]

*raises hand* Jessica for Betta Body President!

Yep, Gina, Siam flares ALL the time! He's right next to a mirror-type lamp, so he's always flaring at his reflection! and the funny thing is, he always gets really excited whenever someone walks up to his tank. hehe!

[sandragonfly]

really?? lol! recently, there was a thread somewhere with flared bettas and that was something new! at first I thought it mustn't be a betta?! well, it is.. I've had mine for over a year... gee.

and yours flares all the time?? at the reflection? that's soo hilarous! ..enough to crack me up! still am sure he's a lovely one

[flamepony12]

And bettas also flare at things like pencils, pens, and fingers... you should try it with yours

His bubble nest is much bigger today! o_O

[K9soul]

Rivalry often causes the response of bubblenesting too, as the male feels an instinctual need to claim territory. If a betta sees his reflection or another betta, he's more likely to bubblenest in response. (Another reason you may sometimes see bettas in pet shops nesting, due to seeing so many other males around them). You might try putting a mirror by Dapples and see what he does, he may start flaring and even bubblenesting too .

Here's Orion flaring at me when I was looking at his bubblenest

[sandragonfly]

okay...*gulps* - I can try pencil, mirror, etc.. I'm gone home now and I'll let you know tomorrow!

any picffure of flared siam?