Should I remove betta bubble nest?

Last Updated on September 19, 2021 by cmoarz

Oh no! You’ve accidentally destroyed your betta fishs’ bubble nest while cleaning your aquarium. What should you do now?

Well, the fact is there’s nothing you need to worry about. Unless you intend on breeding your beta fish – destroying his bubble nest is not going to be a big deal. He’s just going to keep making a new one anyway.

In fact, is good exercise for him to be making these bubble nests instead of just mumbling around the tank doing nothing. And the fact is he doesn’t need these bubble nests on his own, and unless there is a female in the aquarium these bubble nests serve zero purposes at all.

A common miss belief is that you’re hurting your betta’s feelings when you destroy his bubble nest. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. To him, it just signaling he’s ready to have a mate and he has no emotional attachment over it, At least until it’s filled with eggs.

I know that’s not making you feel any better. I mean you did just destroy his hard work. And that’s okay, we all feel guilty when we destroy our betta’s bubble nests, Trust me.

But the truth is, it’s more important that he have a clean aquarium than having a little bubble nest on the surface. It’s far more important for his health that he has clean water and a clean aquarium than it is to have a nice little hard-working bubble nest floating around on top.

And unless he has eggs that he needs to take care of that bubble nest serves no purpose whatsoever and there’s nothing you need to feel ashamed about or guilty about when you destroy.

However, if you really want to preserve his bubble nest, you can gently scoop it out with a plate or bowl or something and then replace it back in afterward gently so you don’t accidentally destroy it. No harm no foul.

So what do the bubble nest do?

The first step is to define the term; only male betta fish construct bubble nests. Betta fish are one of a few species of animals known to actively build and guard their own nests, as known as aphrophils.

Male bettas construct nests for the same reason that other species build a nest: to provide a safe haven for their eggs and newly born young. Male bettas, on occasion, will spontaneously create nests even if there are no female bettas in the tank.

This is normal behavior and does not mean that you need to add a female betta. This is especially true if the male betta has been recently added or introduced into your tank.

Bubble nests are made from the respiratory enzymes secreted by the male when he exhales water, and in its gaseous form forms very fine bubbles which stick together and make up the nest in question.

As he creates these nests, they will drift off in pieces and float around on top of the water. The male will often swim at incredible speeds alongside them and quickly poke his head through the bubble nest to check for any eggs that may have rolled out of place or fallen out of place.

The bubbles in Betta Fish are made of air and mucus, similar to spit bubbles. The male betta stands guard by his nest for a receptive female; if she is, they mate in nature. She then lays eggs, and he gathers them in his mouth before bringing them to the nest.

Betta fish create nests like this one because, in the wild, they are more likely to dwell in filthy, shallow, sluggish-moving or stagnant water with a low oxygen content.

These habitats protect bettas from bigger predators that require a more oxygen-rich ambiance to survive, but the conditions in these settings aren’t ideal for developing eggs.

Bubble nests assist in the hatching of eggs while also giving the developing fish the oxygen they require. After being born, the hatchling fish need protection from the elements since they are unable to swim for a few days after that.

How Often Will Bettas Build Bubble Nests?

Bettas do not follow any particular timetable when it comes to creating bubble nests. When breeding season arrives in the wild, betta fish will often construct bubble nests, but if your betta fish is kept in a temperature-controlled tank (which he should be), he won’t have a breeding season.

However, inducing breeding in these circumstances is another topic for another article.

Male bettas are most likely to breed during the period from 4 to 12 months of age, when they’re between 4 and 12 months old. During this time, your betta will be more likely to create bubble nests. If your betta isn’t old enough to reproduce, he may not be as interested in doing so on a regular basis.

Your beta’s nest-building frequency will be unique to him. Your betta may construct a new nest on a monthly, weekly, or even daily basis. He has the option of creating a brand new nest whenever he feels like it, or not creating one at all.

Occasionally, bettas in captivity will never construct nests. Don’t worry if your betta never builds a nest in his life; he isn’t dissatisfied.

Does Building Bubble Nests Mean Your Betta Is Happy?

The answer to this question is a little subjective. On the one hand, if your betta forms a bubble nest as a sign that he’s in good health, it’s an indication that he’s ready to have plenty of babies.

On the other end of the spectrum, you may have a cheerful and joyful betta fish who doesn’t build bubble nests since he is not in the mood for mating.

We call this jobless good for nothing Neet-bettas. These are the rejects of betta society that never left their father’s bubble nest. (Just kidding of course!)

Bubble nests, by and large, indicate that your betta is having a good time; nevertheless, you shouldn’t jump to conclusions just because you don’t see him making any. However, there may be some bad reasons why your betta isn’t creating any bubble nests, which we’ll get into in the following section.

Do females make betta nests?

In very VERY rare occasions, a female may make a bubble nest, but only if the female is in the condition for mating. Females do not produce bubble nests or create their own nests to hold eggs or kids, this is a task that only the male takes care of.

In fact, If your breeding betta fish, You will need to remove the female after she’s laid her eggs as the male will not trust her not to screw it up.

What are the reasons for betta fish not making bubble nests?

There are many reasons your betta fish may not be creating a new nest. If you’re noticing that he’s laying on his side, this is usually an indication of an issue. Things to check include:

1. The temperature in your tank might be too high or low for him to create a new bubble nest. Temperature plays an important role in spawning behaviors of bettas, so if it’s too hot or cold, he will have trouble forming one. A clean tank with no parasites or diseases present is also advisable since these things can interfere with the breeding process.

2. Shock from being moved recently might keep him from making a bubble nest right away. Although bettas are known to create nests soon after being introduced into a new tank, they may not do so immediately.

3. Your betta might be sick, which can prevent him from building a bubble nest. If your betta changes color or seems listless, it’s important to take him to the pet store for an examination right away.

4. Some bettas may voluntarily avoid creating nests if their water is too clean and sterile, so maybe you should put in some more plant life inside your aquarium, Or consider adding something that produces a lot of tannins. oak leaves for instance.