Owners of betta fish have more or less been confronted with one common thing – small bubbles around the betta fish tank. These bubbles are often found in clusters on the water surface. I have come across many people wondering about the source of these bubbles, and some even go frenzy.
Many start searching Google to find the answer why do betta fish make bubbles only to their dismay. So, dear betta fish owners, no more of such madness when you see the bubbles. These are natural for betta fish and are a part of their reproduction system.
In today’s write-up, I am going to describe how you could help the betta fish in the process as well as how to clean the fish tank without destroying the bubbles.
What Is A Betta Fish Bubble Nest?
Betta fish bubble nest is a cluster of bubbles found on the water surface in a tank or aquarium where you pet these fishes. When you see such nests, don’t worry. These nests are a natural process of all the male betta fish.
To speak the reality, if you see bubble nests around the water surface, it is an immediate sign that your fish is healthy and happily ready to mate.
Bubble nests are also known as foam nests. A male betta fish gulps air and blows their oral secretion on the water surface to create the bubbles.
And here’s an interesting note-
You will see a bubble nest in the tank or aquarium even if there’s no female betta fish it. This is because male bettas will instinctively build the nest even without coming in the touch of a female fish. It’s just a reassurance of the fact that the male has attended maturity.
Why Do Betta Fish Make Bubbles?
The process of creating the bubble nest is linked with the breeding of the betta fish. During the mating season, male betta fish (females don’t usually make bubbles) such as Betta Splenden creates the bubble nest.
The proper nest building with bubbles starts whenever a male betta fish reaches its maturity. The bubble nest is, therefore, a sign to showcase that the male fish is ready to mate. But there’s much more about the bubble nest.
During the incubation period, the bubbles safeguard the eggs. The nests are full of oxygen and microorganism. So, after the birth of the juveniles, the bubbles act as an oxygen supplier to the little ones until they are good enough to swim to the surface and breathe.
A fun fact, the GOOD DADDY.
Female bettas have little or no role in hatching the eggs or rearing up the hatclings. The female fish will leave after the mating is over, and once the fertilization is done. The rearing of small bettas is a sole responsibility for the male ones. In fact, the male fish will attack and chase the females away far from the eggs.
Males do this because female bettas are infamous to eat their eggs.
So, if you want more bettas, remove the female betta quickly after the egg fertilization from the tank and keep it in a separate container until the juveniles are grown up.
The wilderness, mating and bubble nest
In the wild, this nest building doesn’t come easy. The males are in a constant battle to establish their territorial supremacy over the other. Once a betta wins a battle and establish his kingdom, he will instinctively build nests underneath the leaves or debris they find in the water.
Then the nearby females will inspect the nests, and once a female is assured of the nest quality, she approaches the male. At that time, the male betta fish keeps coaxing the female until she willingly submits.
After the spawning occurs, the male betta collects the fertilized eggs and place them in the bubbles with his mouth. The female will leave, and for the rest part, it’s the male who protects his offspring from predators. They also rear the newborns until they can live on their own.
How Often A Betta Fish Builds Bubble Nest?
Bubbles fishes are unique; likewise, we human, they have different characteristics. So, their nest-building frequency will also vary broadly. While one betta may build nests on a daily base, the other may do it once in a blue moon.
The frequency of bubble nest building thus varies from one day to week and even months. The nest size and thickness also vary.
And if you see a betta fish making nests frequently, be happy because-
It is a good sign that he has accepted the tank interior and feels safe to produce newborns in the container. Also, it speaks of their good health.
But what if your betta fish stops creating the bubble nests at all?
Danger, danger- be cautious! You need to be careful about an unhappy or stressed betta.
What to do when betta fish stops building a bubble nest?
I have told you that the bubble creation and nest building is an instinct of the male bettas. But you need not to panic if you don’t see bubbles in the betta fish tank. First possibility, your fish is not matured enough for reproduction, or they are not interested in the process at that time.
It does not always mean that the betta fish ins unhealthy. There can be several reasons for betta fish not making a bubble nest as frequently as they should.
These are:
- Betta fish age and health level.
- Sometimes the tank or water container has a powerful filtration, which causes a steady current flow. It disallows the bubble growth.
- Betta fish won’t build a nest in an unclean and poor quality of water.
- If the water temperature shrinks below the optimal level, 78-82°F.
- If there’re not enough debris plants or decorative items in the tank.
You can easily bypass and solve these reasons and create an ideal condition for the betta fish to build their favorite nest.
Promotional Ideas to Boost Bubble Nest Building:
Over time, experts have identified several stimuli to help betta fish build a bubble nest if they were not making one earlier. The booster includes keeping the tank clean, changing the barometric, bringing in a female betta fish, and so on.
Some of the most useful promotional tricks and tips to help betta fish build bubble nest is listed below. These are:
- Make sure the water and tank are clean.
- Maintain the optimal breeding temperature in the tank. The suitable temperature for bubble fish is 78-82°F. Consider buying a heater for your betta tank.
- You may additionally introduce ornamental plants in the container. I recommend you to use the Amazon Frogbit and Indian Almon Leaves (tremendous health benefit also).
- Powerful current will deter the nest building. So, make sure that water filtration isn’t too strong and fast.
- Finally, the female betta presence will encourage the males to build their nests. You can use a cup holder to release the female for a few moments in the water tank and then remove it. Note that the too much visibility of the female may boost stress among the males. So, don’t keep the female betta for too long in the tank; instead, give it’s glimpse only.
DIY debris creations method:
Indian Almond Leaves or Amazon Frogbit boosts the bubble nest building to a high level. But these plants are sometimes difficult to manage.
Here’s an excellent little DIY solution for you.
You should find a Styrofoam cup at home easily since it is a staple item in most homes. Just cut it to half and float it on the tank. Nonetheless, you should see the bubbles in the tank within a few days. You can, however, use plastic containers or chip cans as well. Just make sure the material is clean. For this, wash it with lukewarm water before placing it in the betta fish tank.
How to Clean Betta Fish Container with Bubble Nest in It?
The bubble nests are a wonderful creation of the betta fish. When you first see these pieces of art, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be excited. But what if it’s time to clean the container also?
I understand that it’s absolutely fine to feel guilty if you destroy the bubbles while the cleaning process advances. But don’t worry.
The betta fish isn’t much concerned about his bubble nest. Once destroyed, they will soon build another one if the condition is favorable. So, clean the tank; likewise, you would do in typical situations. Remember that a clean container is more crucial for your bettas than the bubbles itself.
However, if you really don’t want to ruin betta’s hard work, use a thin container or plastic to accumulate the bubbles and release them after you have cleaned the tank.
Are you feeling relaxed now?
Wrapping Up
Betta fish are lovely. So, no wonder why they are a popular aquarium pet. Once you own these beautiful creatures, taking care of them is a must. The observation of their bubble nest and creating a suitable environment for the bubble build-up is your foremost responsibility also.
We will soon come back with another betta fish story and guideline. Till then reach us and tell us how beneficial is this write-up on why do betta fish make bubbles.
Happy petting!
Check our extensive guide on betta fish care by clicking here.