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  • Immature male?

    I have 3 pairs of bettas set up to breed. Two halfmoons that are probably about 6-8 months old and 2 pair of veiltails that are well over a year old. I've mated two veiltails before (about the same age as those) and the male did absolutely great with tending to the eggs, moving them around and keeping them in the nest when their tails popped out.

    Now, my halfmoon male seems to be having some issues with the eggs. I can tell they're fertilized because they're half white, half clear. However, when some fall out, he tries to put them back in, but they don't stick. So today he was constantly chasing the same two eggs that wouldn't stay in the nest.

    Is it possible that he's just too immature to be a decent father? Should I just throw in the towel with this batch or give him some more time?

    I'm still pretty new to the breeding process, so any advice would be great

  • #2
    Re: Immature male?

    I would think from what I understand of Betta's when they do this is that the male didnt make a "good" enough bubble nest.   Next time I am sure that he will most likely make it better, bigger..  but this would be more me guessing than anything else.  Phishphreek would be the man on this subject..

    What fish do Jesper have
    180 WC T. Moorii Chilambo +1 Petro trewavasae.
    110
    Cyps, WC Xeno Spilopterus Kipili WC/F1/F2 T. sp red Kiku
    58 S. Decorus

    "The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." -Margaret Thatcher

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    • #3
      Re: Immature male?

      Did you saran wrap the top of the tank?
      700g Mini-Monster tank

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      • #4
        Re: Immature male?

        That's quite common. Some males never learn to blow bubble nests. He'll be fine.

        You can "help" him along by using a piece of clear bubble wrap about the size of a half dollar or slightly larger. place it right next to the nest with the bubbly side down.
        He will think that it's a bubble nest and spit the fry into the bubble wrap where they should attach better. I have had males who completely rely on the bubble wrap and not bother to build his own nest and still produce a nice bunch of fry.

        You can also try lowering the water level such that he doesn't have to swim up and down too much in order to pick up stray babies.

        Cover the top of the tank with a versatop or like Ek said.. saran wrap.
        This will keep the humidity inside up and keep drafts out.

        Good luck!
        www.ventralfins.com

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        • #5
          Re: Immature male?

          He made his bubble next (a very nice one, I might add) underneath a floating almond leaf. He's spitting the eggs into the bubbles, but they're not seeming to stick. I haven't put the seran wrap on yet because I thought it wasn't completely necessary until after the babies hatched, but I'll go ahead and do that now anyway.

          Also, nacra, the water level is only about 5-6 inches right now, anyway. I didn't bother filling it up all the way because I heard it was better to leave it lower.

          Any other suggestions?

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          • #6
            Re: Immature male?

            Quick update now that I've taken a closer look at him today...

            He must be doing something right because their tails are now sticking out of the eggs, but when I saw them falling out of the nest this time, some of them weren't fighting it. Like last time I had a batch of eggs, by the time their tails were out, they were everywhere, always trying to swim, but these...only a few are swimming. Are the ones that aren't dead?

            I was so proud of this spawn, too :( But if I have to try again, I'm willing. How long do you have to wait before you can breed the same male and female together?

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