Do Bettas actually make bubblenests because they're happy?
Well, there are other reasons such as perfect water conditions, ready to breed, protecting territory, instinct, because they love you, etc.
The answer is no. They don't make bubblenests because they're happy. Nor perfect water conditions or because they love you and are very comfortable.
It's just their instinct. It just means they're ready to breed and claiming/protecting territory. Period. No happiness, no "Perfect" water conditions, just instinct. Bettas sometimes make them when they're sick even. But most of the time, they don't have the motivation under all the stress.
This is not an opinion BTW. It's fact. To sum it up, here are some quick questions and answers that you may ask about the nests are why.
. Why do Bettas make these bubblenests?
Bettas are aphrophils'. They are one of the many fish that make these nests for breeding and territory reasons.
. Do female Bettas make bubblenests?
Some do. Some don't. They usually make them when they're eggy but that's pretty uncommon. Maybe YOUR female Betta is one of them.
. Why isn't my Betta making nests? Does s/he not feel it's territory?
Some Bettas don't even make 6 bubbles together, let alone a whole surface of them. Bettas are living species, and you can't make them make nests. The point is that some Bettas make them and some do not.
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This is not a way to discourage or make any member feel bad, this is just fact. The truth is the truth and I'm sorry if you thought that it meant they were happy, it doesn't.
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Feel free to post your Betta's bubblenest. We'd all love to see how your Betta is ready to breed, or protecting territory, or even just plain instinct. Post anything about these nests actually, feel free.