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I do have a female she's in the same tank but with a divider between the two. I actually got the male FOR the female. =P She is ready to spawn with the vertical stripes. He is consistently showing off to her and snapping at her thru the divider. I just don't see any bubbles staying. He did fine earlier so I don't believe it's the soft water. Although this time I did add a little rock salt, do you think that may be popping the bubbles?

They don't.

i dont think cichlids build bubble nests...

I am having same problem,but with african chichlid.He almost killed my female had to put her in breeder alone and am treating her,She was in bad shape.But the first week they were together all the time.The whole bit.And for some reason he turned on her.She had no fins what so ever!..Just layed.But ive got her fins growing and today she took her 1st bite of food.what could have caused him to turn on her?He does this chewing thing with his mouth but no bubbles.I have a mess of stringy white stuff in cave.is that his version of a nest?he will go to the top get air chew a minute and go to the spot i see the white stuff but no bubbles?

They spawned... I'm so surprised how gentle the male was. The female has no injuries and not a fin missing. That is so cool.

Neither of them is getting hurt at the moment, she's a good hider and he's not very aggressive. When he sees her, he would flash his fins under the nest and wait for her to come. I haven't seen him nip her yet, and I haven't seen any damaged fins so I will let them be for awhile.

This pair is really different from my previous pair. The male would usually bite and chase the female all the time.

Take out the female because it sounds like she is not ready to breed and you do not want either of them getting hurt!

i don't have another but it's okay now. the male built his nest and i released the female. the female is always hiding.

you could try pilfering the nest of another male for him to use unless you dont have any others

Uhm I have bred bettas before, it's just that this particular male is different from the others. He does make bubbles, he does not destroy them, the bubbles pop after a few minutes.

If you remove the divider before he has built his nest, be prepared for them to fight. His nest is probably being destroyed by the male getting excited, if he is snapping at her through the glass. The female will not except the male until his nest is built. Is there a draft in the tank? Or a filter that maybe breaking up his nest. Is this a special breeding tank? Cause once they spawn you have to first remove the female, then after the eggs are hatch you got to remove the male. Also are you cleaning/water changes in this tank? Cause that will break up his nest also.

no i dont think that would affect the bubbles i would get rid of the divider if you want them to spawn!~

Hey, this is the first time I had a male that did not make a bubble nest. Is there something wrong? Anything I can/should do?

you should get a female for him or even 2 !

Bubbles can also not stay around long if your water is soft. Bubbles are only possible when there are enough minerals/salts/electrolytes in the water to keep the surface tension/bond there for the bubbles.

Overly soft water lacks these, and they'll pop more easily. Not saying it's not possible, but it's a plausible reason.

make sure u have very little water movement or surface agitation as it will pop the bubbles

good luck

6x2x2 - Firemouth and Oscar Tank
30+ royal pythons.

Back in the game after 4 years out ..

Do not put the female in until you want them to spawn. Put her in a separate tank/jar/divider beside the male so he can see her/ and her him. Only put the female in once he has finished building his nest. If he doesn't build one, still do not put the female in, as it means he is not ready. Once he is ready and you put the female in, watch very careful to see if she is also ready. If she swims away and hides all the time, then she isn't ready. Remove her or the male can kill her. Also in reverse. Make sure she is not an aggressive female and nips him all up.
Males can build nests without wanting to spawn. Its a sign saying how happy they are, and that everything in their homes is in perfect order.

do not add a female with him unless your truly commited to breeding them

Hmm, okay I have seen him make bubbles several times... he would get air and make the bubbles. The bubbles don't last very long. He is consistently making bubbles or trying to, but I can see them pop after a few minutes. What can I do to help him maintain the bubbles.

He builds them under a halfcut styrofoam cup.

yes i agree you should add a female in there otherwise soon he will relise there is no purpose for a nest!