Betta Breeding

Question
Hi Karen, I am Very new to Betta breeding!! I'm just wondering my male betta isnt blowing a net yet I know he may not do till the last minute but if I'm seeing right it looks like my female has eggs, her tummy is fat and it looks like a little white thing is just hunging out of her!! is this normal or is there something wrong with her. Also it might be my eyes playing tricks on me but I thing she changes colour sometimes shes a lightish brown then her fins go blue and red!!!

Answer
Hi Rebbecca,
I understand your worry being a first time breeder! I know how it feels!

The little white thing is natural for a female betta to have. It's their egg-tube. And it tends to show even on females who aren't full of eggs.

Sometimes males can be very tricky when it comes to their nest building. Have you made sure to check all corners of the aquarium? I say this because I once had a male trick me and he hid his nest perfectly in between some floating plant leaves so I couldn't see it at all.

With bettas you just have to work with them. And it's almost always trial and error situation. Some things don't work, you'll have to try something a little different. A few things though to try for now are-

*Start daily small water changes
*Make sure there is almost no current in the tank
*make sure he has several places to anchor a nest (some soft floating plants, half a styrofoam cup taped to the side of the tank, Floating Indian almond leaves are also a big hit)
*Keep the pair within sight of one another if possible. You could even try letting the male "interact" with the female safely with her being contained in the spawning tank but in a hurricane lantern for a short time each day. That might spur up his bubblenesting urges.
*Make sure both fish are kept warm (at least 80-82F) and fed a good high protein diet including the frozen meaty-type foods like bloodworms and other types of larvae.

Best wishes and be patient! I hope this helps!
Karen~