Curses!

[Eric Schreiber]

Just when my week is finally starting to calm down a bit, I get a
disaster. A few hours ago I got up from my desk and watched a movie.
When I came back to my desk, my notepad was soaked. Not a good sign.

My ten gallon divided betta tank, which sits on my desk, had sprung a
leak. Not a huge one - if I was judging by tank water volume alone I
wouldn't even have noticed it. But I'm estimating at least a quarter
gallon leaked out.

The leak must be along the bottom edge seal somewhere. The glass is all
undamaged, and all the faces of the tank were dry. The tank was on a
sheet of corrugated box cardboard, which absorbed most of the water.
Unfortunately, the desk is a basic pressed wood product, and it’s got
some water damage, as you can imagine. Nothing structural, but some
cosmetic repairs will be needed. Thank goodness for wood grained
contact paper, I guess.

One bit of good luck is that I have a small collection of one-gallon
jars, so I was able to find temporary homes for all three bettas.

I guess tomorrow I'm hitting the store to buy a new tank. A ten gallon
costs less than ten bucks, so I don't think I'll bother trying to
repair this one. Then I have to build-in the dividers again, but at
least I have some experience there to draw on.

Still, not the way I wanted to spend a Friday evening.



--
www.ericschreiber.com

[w]

"Eric Schreiber" <eric at ericschreiber dot com> wrote in message
...
> Just when my week is finally starting to calm down a bit, I get a
> disaster. A few hours ago I got up from my desk and watched a movie.
> When I came back to my desk, my notepad was soaked. Not a good sign.
>
> My ten gallon divided betta tank, which sits on my desk, had sprung a
> leak. Not a huge one - if I was judging by tank water volume alone I
> wouldn't even have noticed it. But I'm estimating at least a quarter
> gallon leaked out.
>
> The leak must be along the bottom edge seal somewhere. The glass is all
> undamaged, and all the faces of the tank were dry. The tank was on a
> sheet of corrugated box cardboard, which absorbed most of the water.
> Unfortunately, the desk is a basic pressed wood product, and it's got
> some water damage, as you can imagine. Nothing structural, but some
> cosmetic repairs will be needed. Thank goodness for wood grained
> contact paper, I guess.
>
> One bit of good luck is that I have a small collection of one-gallon
> jars, so I was able to find temporary homes for all three bettas.
>
> I guess tomorrow I'm hitting the store to buy a new tank. A ten gallon
> costs less than ten bucks, so I don't think I'll bother trying to
> repair this one. Then I have to build-in the dividers again, but at
> least I have some experience there to draw on.
>
> Still, not the way I wanted to spend a Friday evening.
>
>
>
> --
> www.ericschreiber.com
>

I feel for you. A few times we;ve had leaks. I remember waking up to the
sound of running water, i didnt think too much about it at first. I figured
it was just my gf's filter but it turned out that the tank leaked about 20
gallons on the floor. Everytime i hear water dripping i have the urge to
check the tanks.

[TYNK 7]

>Subject: Curses!
>From: "Eric Schreiber" ericat ericschreiber dot com
>Date: 3/5/2004 10:13 PM Central Standard Time
>Message-id: >
>
>Just when my week is finally starting to calm down a bit, I get a
>disaster. A few hours ago I got up from my desk and watched a movie.
>When I came back to my desk, my notepad was soaked. Not a good sign.
>
>My ten gallon divided betta tank, which sits on my desk, had sprung a
>leak. Not a huge one - if I was judging by tank water volume alone I
>wouldn't even have noticed it. But I'm estimating at least a quarter
>gallon leaked out.
>
>The leak must be along the bottom edge seal somewhere. The glass is all
>undamaged, and all the faces of the tank were dry. The tank was on a
>sheet of corrugated box cardboard, which absorbed most of the water.
>Unfortunately, the desk is a basic pressed wood product, and it’s got
>some water damage, as you can imagine. Nothing structural, but some
>cosmetic repairs will be needed. Thank goodness for wood grained
>contact paper, I guess.
>
>One bit of good luck is that I have a small collection of one-gallon
>jars, so I was able to find temporary homes for all three bettas.
>
>I guess tomorrow I'm hitting the store to buy a new tank. A ten gallon
>costs less than ten bucks, so I don't think I'll bother trying to
>repair this one. Then I have to build-in the dividers again, but at
>least I have some experience there to draw on.
>
>Still, not the way I wanted to spend a Friday evening.
>
>

What a bummer, Eric!

[Eric Schreiber]

TYNK 7 wrote:

>> My ten gallon divided betta tank, which sits on my desk, had sprung
>> a leak.

> What a bummer, Eric!

The fish survived their 'vacation' in one-gallon jars, though I was
getting pretty tired of rotating my heaters among them. The new tank
went live last night. Now I have to deal with cycling all over again,
but this time I'm using Bio-Spira. We'll see if that helps at all.

Building a divided tank is very cheap, but very time consuming. Took me
at least four hours over several evenings to get it put together.



--
www.ericschreiber.com

[TYNK 7]

>Subject: Re: Curses!
>From: "Eric Schreiber" ericat ericschreiber dot com
>Date: 3/18/2004 1:23 PM Central Standard Time
>Message-id: >
>
>TYNK 7 wrote:
>
>>> My ten gallon divided betta tank, which sits on my desk, had sprung
>>> a leak.
>
>> What a bummer, Eric!
>
>The fish survived their 'vacation' in one-gallon jars, though I was
>getting pretty tired of rotating my heaters among them. The new tank
>went live last night. Now I have to deal with cycling all over again,
>but this time I'm using Bio-Spira. We'll see if that helps at all.
>
>Building a divided tank is very cheap, but very time consuming. Took me
>at least four hours over several evenings to get it put together.
>
>
>
>--
>www.ericschreiber.com

You're a great Betta Dad!
Send me some pics of the tank when you're done.
Oh...I picked up another Crowntail from "our" PetLand last week.
He's a lovely Cambodian mix...has a white pearly body with green fins. He's
still growing out his fins (and spikes), and has turned into a Butterfly
pattern as well (white tipped fins). In only a few days of being kept in clean,
warm water his fins have grown an 1/8". That Betta sat there for a couple weeks
at least. He looked worse the first week, and better the next. I knew he'd be
gorgeous under the right conditions.
Hey...next time your in there..tell Mike to order Kelly the Betta lady some CT
females!

[Eric Schreiber]

TYNK 7 wrote:

> You're a great Betta Dad!

Well, I take my critters seriously, anyway. Except the racoon, which I
spoil horribly with marshmallows every night.

> Send me some pics of the tank when you're done.

It looks essentially like the original, which I have pictures of here:
http://www.ericschreiber.com/aquarium/tank3.html

The only differences are - no yellow binders, and the divider panels
all go to almost the top of the tank. That lets me put about another
gallon in (without the fish being able to swim over the dividers_, and
more water is good.

> Oh...I picked up another Crowntail from "our" PetLand last week.
> He's a lovely Cambodian mix...has a white pearly body with green
> fins.

Color me jealous. I've got room for one more in the divided tank, but
since it's starting the cycle from scratch I figure I had best wait
before getting any new stock.

Besides, my budget is tight, and I've just fallen in love with a bunch
of Dremel attachments and accessories which will probably occupy my
spending habits for the next few weeks.


--
www.ericschreiber.com

[TYNK 7]

>Subject: Re: Curses!
>From: "Eric Schreiber" ericat ericschreiber dot com
>Date: 3/18/2004 10:18 PM Central Standard Time
>Message-id: >
>
>TYNK 7 wrote:
>
>> You're a great Betta Dad!
>
>Well, I take my critters seriously, anyway. Except the racoon, which I
>spoil horribly with marshmallows every night.
>
>> Send me some pics of the tank when you're done.
>
>It looks essentially like the original, which I have pictures of here:
>http://www.ericschreiber.com/aquarium/tank3.html
>
>The only differences are - no yellow binders, and the divider panels
>all go to almost the top of the tank. That lets me put about another
>gallon in (without the fish being able to swim over the dividers_, and
>more water is good.
>
>> Oh...I picked up another Crowntail from "our" PetLand last week.
>> He's a lovely Cambodian mix...has a white pearly body with green
>> fins.
>
>Color me jealous. I've got room for one more in the divided tank, but
>since it's starting the cycle from scratch I figure I had best wait
>before getting any new stock.
>
>Besides, my budget is tight, and I've just fallen in love with a bunch
>of Dremel attachments and accessories which will probably occupy my
>spending habits for the next few weeks.
>

Oh they have so many different ones to choose!!
I can totally understand.

[Rick]

"TYNK 7" > wrote in message
...
> >Subject: Re: Curses!
> >From: "Eric Schreiber" ericat ericschreiber dot com
> >Date: 3/18/2004 10:18 PM Central Standard Time
> >Message-id: >
> >
> >TYNK 7 wrote:
> >
> >> You're a great Betta Dad!
> >
> >Well, I take my critters seriously, anyway. Except the racoon, which I
> >spoil horribly with marshmallows every night.
> >
> >> Send me some pics of the tank when you're done.
> >
> >It looks essentially like the original, which I have pictures of here:
> >http://www.ericschreiber.com/aquarium/tank3.html
> >
> >The only differences are - no yellow binders, and the divider panels
> >all go to almost the top of the tank. That lets me put about another
> >gallon in (without the fish being able to swim over the dividers_, and
> >more water is good.
> >
> >> Oh...I picked up another Crowntail from "our" PetLand last week.
> >> He's a lovely Cambodian mix...has a white pearly body with green
> >> fins.
> >
> >Color me jealous. I've got room for one more in the divided tank, but
> >since it's starting the cycle from scratch I figure I had best wait
> >before getting any new stock.
> >
> >Besides, my budget is tight, and I've just fallen in love with a bunch
> >of Dremel attachments and accessories which will probably occupy my
> >spending habits for the next few weeks.
> >
>
> Oh they have so many different ones to choose!!
> I can totally understand.
>

soooo TYNK7 moving on to other things I get the impression that you have a
few Betta's , if so , have you successfully bred them because of all my
different fish I have not successfully bred Bettas. I have a few questions
if your willing to answer.
Rick

[TYNK 7]

>Subject: Re: Curses!
>From: "Rick"
>Date: 3/20/2004 9:33 AM Central Standard Time
>Message-id: >
>
>
>"TYNK 7" > wrote in message
...
>> >Subject: Re: Curses!
>> >From: "Eric Schreiber" ericat ericschreiber dot com
>> >Date: 3/18/2004 10:18 PM Central Standard Time
>> >Message-id: >
>> >
>> >TYNK 7 wrote:
>> >
>> >> You're a great Betta Dad!
>> >
>> >Well, I take my critters seriously, anyway. Except the racoon, which I
>> >spoil horribly with marshmallows every night.
>> >
>> >> Send me some pics of the tank when you're done.
>> >
>> >It looks essentially like the original, which I have pictures of here:
>> >http://www.ericschreiber.com/aquarium/tank3.html
>> >
>> >The only differences are - no yellow binders, and the divider panels
>> >all go to almost the top of the tank. That lets me put about another
>> >gallon in (without the fish being able to swim over the dividers_, and
>> >more water is good.
>> >
>> >> Oh...I picked up another Crowntail from "our" PetLand last week.
>> >> He's a lovely Cambodian mix...has a white pearly body with green
>> >> fins.
>> >
>> >Color me jealous. I've got room for one more in the divided tank, but
>> >since it's starting the cycle from scratch I figure I had best wait
>> >before getting any new stock.
>> >
>> >Besides, my budget is tight, and I've just fallen in love with a bunch
>> >of Dremel attachments and accessories which will probably occupy my
>> >spending habits for the next few weeks.
>> >
>>
>> Oh they have so many different ones to choose!!
>> I can totally understand.
>>
>
>soooo TYNK7 moving on to other things I get the impression that you have a
>few Betta's , if so , have you successfully bred them because of all my
>different fish I have not successfully bred Bettas. I have a few questions
>if your willing to answer.
>Rick
>

Yes, I kept Bettas for 26 years and have raised for 19.
What would like to know?

[Rick]

"TYNK 7" > wrote in message
...
> >Subject: Re: Curses!
> >From: "Rick"
> >Date: 3/20/2004 9:33 AM Central Standard Time
> >Message-id: >
> >
> >
> >"TYNK 7" > wrote in message
> ...
> >> >Subject: Re: Curses!
> >> >From: "Eric Schreiber" ericat ericschreiber dot com
> >> >Date: 3/18/2004 10:18 PM Central Standard Time
> >> >Message-id: >
> >> >
> >> >TYNK 7 wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> You're a great Betta Dad!
> >> >
> >> >Well, I take my critters seriously, anyway. Except the racoon, which I
> >> >spoil horribly with marshmallows every night.
> >> >
> >> >> Send me some pics of the tank when you're done.
> >> >
> >> >It looks essentially like the original, which I have pictures of here:
> >> >http://www.ericschreiber.com/aquarium/tank3.html
> >> >
> >> >The only differences are - no yellow binders, and the divider panels
> >> >all go to almost the top of the tank. That lets me put about another
> >> >gallon in (without the fish being able to swim over the dividers_, and
> >> >more water is good.
> >> >
> >> >> Oh...I picked up another Crowntail from "our" PetLand last week.
> >> >> He's a lovely Cambodian mix...has a white pearly body with green
> >> >> fins.
> >> >
> >> >Color me jealous. I've got room for one more in the divided tank, but
> >> >since it's starting the cycle from scratch I figure I had best wait
> >> >before getting any new stock.
> >> >
> >> >Besides, my budget is tight, and I've just fallen in love with a bunch
> >> >of Dremel attachments and accessories which will probably occupy my
> >> >spending habits for the next few weeks.
> >> >
> >>
> >> Oh they have so many different ones to choose!!
> >> I can totally understand.
> >>
> >
> >soooo TYNK7 moving on to other things I get the impression that you have
a
> >few Betta's , if so , have you successfully bred them because of all my
> >different fish I have not successfully bred Bettas. I have a few
questions
> >if your willing to answer.
> >Rick
> >
>
> Yes, I kept Bettas for 26 years and have raised for 19.
> What would like to know?


I had a lovely blue pair, and had the male in a 10g and the female in a tank
with some Corydoras. Decided I wanted to try and breed them so spent hours
doing research. I lowered the water in the males tank to about 8" and raised
the temp to about 80. I introduced the female into the tank however kept her
separate in a (gulp) goldfish bowl :-). I left them that way for a day and
the male went about building a bubble nest. All seemed well. The following
evening before lights out I introduced the female and the following morning
she was dead in the tank. Now although I don't really get attached to fish I
hate to see any die especially because I want them to breed. Not sure what
if anything I did wrong here. Perhaps the female was too young. I don't
know. I have bred lots of fish but really have no experience with these. Any
hints? Oh I have just purchased another female blue so will be giving it
another try.

Rick

[TYNK 7]

>Subject: Re: Curses!
>From: "Rick"
>Date: 3/20/2004 12:09 PM Central Standard Time
>Message-id: >
>
>
>"TYNK 7" > wrote in message
...
>> >Subject: Re: Curses!
>> >From: "Rick"
>> >Date: 3/20/2004 9:33 AM Central Standard Time
>> >Message-id: >
>> >
>> >
>> >"TYNK 7" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> >> >Subject: Re: Curses!
>> >> >From: "Eric Schreiber" ericat ericschreiber dot com
>> >> >Date: 3/18/2004 10:18 PM Central Standard Time
>> >> >Message-id: >
>> >> >
>> >> >TYNK 7 wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >> You're a great Betta Dad!
>> >> >
>> >> >Well, I take my critters seriously, anyway. Except the racoon, which I
>> >> >spoil horribly with marshmallows every night.
>> >> >
>> >> >> Send me some pics of the tank when you're done.
>> >> >
>> >> >It looks essentially like the original, which I have pictures of here:
>> >> >http://www.ericschreiber.com/aquarium/tank3.html
>> >> >
>> >> >The only differences are - no yellow binders, and the divider panels
>> >> >all go to almost the top of the tank. That lets me put about another
>> >> >gallon in (without the fish being able to swim over the dividers_, and
>> >> >more water is good.
>> >> >
>> >> >> Oh...I picked up another Crowntail from "our" PetLand last week.
>> >> >> He's a lovely Cambodian mix...has a white pearly body with green
>> >> >> fins.
>> >> >
>> >> >Color me jealous. I've got room for one more in the divided tank, but
>> >> >since it's starting the cycle from scratch I figure I had best wait
>> >> >before getting any new stock.
>> >> >
>> >> >Besides, my budget is tight, and I've just fallen in love with a bunch
>> >> >of Dremel attachments and accessories which will probably occupy my
>> >> >spending habits for the next few weeks.
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >> Oh they have so many different ones to choose!!
>> >> I can totally understand.
>> >>
>> >
>> >soooo TYNK7 moving on to other things I get the impression that you have
>a
>> >few Betta's , if so , have you successfully bred them because of all my
>> >different fish I have not successfully bred Bettas. I have a few
>questions
>> >if your willing to answer.
>> >Rick
>> >
>>
>> Yes, I kept Bettas for 26 years and have raised for 19.
>> What would like to know?
>
>
>I had a lovely blue pair, and had the male in a 10g and the female in a tank
>with some Corydoras. Decided I wanted to try and breed them so spent hours
>doing research. I lowered the water in the males tank to about 8" and raised
>the temp to about 80. I introduced the female into the tank however kept her
>separate in a (gulp) goldfish bowl :-). I left them that way for a day and
>the male went about building a bubble nest. All seemed well. The following
>evening before lights out I introduced the female and the following morning
>she was dead in the tank. Now although I don't really get attached to fish I
>hate to see any die especially because I want them to breed. Not sure what
>if anything I did wrong here. Perhaps the female was too young. I don't
>know. I have bred lots of fish but really have no experience with these. Any
>hints? Oh I have just purchased another female blue so will be giving it
>another try.
>
>Rick
>
>

OK..the red flag I saw in your post was that you released the female right
before lights out and (I'm guessing) went to bed.
I don't recommed doing it that way..of course many breeders do...but I don't
like losing any fish to a situation like yours.
With bettas, each has an individual personality. There are overly aggressive
males, and overly aggressive females.
I just gave my local shop a brute of a female. Oh man! What a beautiful royal
blue she was. Perfect body shape...would have loved to spawn her. However, she
was a male killer. With females, she was fine..not even the alpha, but put a
male in the 75g..and she'd rip him to shreds within a few minutes. (I'm not
kidding...minutes).
This is why when giving spawning advice...I tell a person to do it when you
have the time to spend sitting there.
Personally, I will pull up a chair and park it.
You need to watch for too much aggression, a female not responding to the male
(this can make him turn on her and he may kill her). If the female hasn't been
conditioned properly, and not ready for spawning...she can be killed.
In the wild they have a chance to get away..ina tank there's no place to get
away from the male.
That's why you need to be there watching.
When a female is ready, and the male aproaches, she'll almost do a headstand.
Tail up, head down is body language for let's go to a male Betta.
The first sign is vertical barring, of course.
That just shows the male she's in a spawning mood.
The head down position means she's ready to go ahead.
Some males (or females too) may simply not like the mate you have chosen. Like
Angels..you're dealing with a fish that has a mind and knows how to use it. = )
A few years ago I had a pair of Bonnie McKinnley White Opaques. The male would
not spawn with the Opaque female to save his life. I tried two sisters...and he
didn't like either one of them.
That was that. Nothing I could do.
He simply did not like either of those females enough to spawn with them.
Another thing to note....a female MUST be removed right after spawning is
completed or the male can kill her. This is possibly what could have happened.
Betta eggs are very hard to see in a nest. Many times if you're not watching
them and the pair has already spawned...you may not even know it. Even a
seasoned Betta breeder can miss them in the nest. Cough cough. = )~
Ya think oh well...then in a few days there's wrigglers hanging down from the
nest and Pop's is tending his fry.
So...next time....park your butt and watch them. If you have a video camera you
can set it up and tape them if ya have to leave for a while....nature does
call. = )
You come back...reveiw the tape...no action..then leave them together. If you
see he's chasing her all over relentlessly...it's highly possible they
spawned...check the tape. = )
Fell free to email me directly as well with any questions about it too.
You will also need micro sized foods for Betta fry. Baby Brine Shrimp is too
large for all the fry to eat at first. Some breeders feed baby Brine right away
knowing they'll be raising only the largest fry.
(I have no idea if you knew that or not)

[Rick]

"TYNK 7" > wrote in message
...
> >Subject: Re: Curses!
> >From: "Rick"
> >Date: 3/20/2004 12:09 PM Central Standard Time
> >Message-id: >
>>
> OK..the red flag I saw in your post was that you released the female right
> before lights out and (I'm guessing) went to bed.
> I don't recommed doing it that way..of course many breeders do...but I
don't
> like losing any fish to a situation like yours.
> With bettas, each has an individual personality. There are overly
aggressive
> males, and overly aggressive females.
> I just gave my local shop a brute of a female. Oh man! What a beautiful
royal
> blue she was. Perfect body shape...would have loved to spawn her. However,
she
> was a male killer. With females, she was fine..not even the alpha, but put
a
> male in the 75g..and she'd rip him to shreds within a few minutes. (I'm
not
> kidding...minutes).
> This is why when giving spawning advice...I tell a person to do it when
you
> have the time to spend sitting there.
> Personally, I will pull up a chair and park it.
> You need to watch for too much aggression, a female not responding to the
male
> (this can make him turn on her and he may kill her). If the female hasn't
been
> conditioned properly, and not ready for spawning...she can be killed.
> In the wild they have a chance to get away..ina tank there's no place to
get
> away from the male.
> That's why you need to be there watching.
> When a female is ready, and the male aproaches, she'll almost do a
headstand.
> Tail up, head down is body language for let's go to a male Betta.
> The first sign is vertical barring, of course.
> That just shows the male she's in a spawning mood.
> The head down position means she's ready to go ahead.
> Some males (or females too) may simply not like the mate you have chosen.
Like
> Angels..you're dealing with a fish that has a mind and knows how to use
it. = )
> A few years ago I had a pair of Bonnie McKinnley White Opaques. The male
would
> not spawn with the Opaque female to save his life. I tried two
sisters...and he
> didn't like either one of them.
> That was that. Nothing I could do.
> He simply did not like either of those females enough to spawn with them.
> Another thing to note....a female MUST be removed right after spawning is
> completed or the male can kill her. This is possibly what could have
happened.
> Betta eggs are very hard to see in a nest. Many times if you're not
watching
> them and the pair has already spawned...you may not even know it. Even a
> seasoned Betta breeder can miss them in the nest. Cough cough. = )~
> Ya think oh well...then in a few days there's wrigglers hanging down from
the
> nest and Pop's is tending his fry.
> So...next time....park your butt and watch them. If you have a video
camera you
> can set it up and tape them if ya have to leave for a while....nature does
> call. = )
> You come back...reveiw the tape...no action..then leave them together. If
you
> see he's chasing her all over relentlessly...it's highly possible they
> spawned...check the tape. = )
> Fell free to email me directly as well with any questions about it too.
> You will also need micro sized foods for Betta fry. Baby Brine Shrimp is
too
> large for all the fry to eat at first. Some breeders feed baby Brine right
away
> knowing they'll be raising only the largest fry.
> (I have no idea if you knew that or not)
>


thx for that. I did see the vertical barring on the female which is when I
figured she was ready to go. When released into the tank she immediately
took off hiding behind a small sponge filter that I had running in the tank.
The male kept going to her and back to the bubble nest I guess trying to
entice her. Anyway thx for the tips. Right now I have the male in a 10g ,
there is another 10 between him and the 10 the female is in. He can
obviously see her as he spends a lot of time showing off. Having bred
Tetras and Barbs and Corydoras I do have appropriate foods for small fry.
Well when I get back from my Caribbean cruise on April 10th I'll give it
another shot and watch more closely.

Rick

[TYNK 7]

>ubject: Re: Curses!
>From: "Rick"
>Date: 3/21/2004 9:05 AM Central Standard Time
>Message-id: >
>
>
>"TYNK 7" > wrote in message
...
>> >Subject: Re: Curses!
>> >From: "Rick"
>> >Date: 3/20/2004 12:09 PM Central Standard Time
>> >Message-id: >
>>>
>> OK..the red flag I saw in your post was that you released the female right
>> before lights out and (I'm guessing) went to bed.
>> I don't recommed doing it that way..of course many breeders do...but I
>don't
>> like losing any fish to a situation like yours.
>> With bettas, each has an individual personality. There are overly
>aggressive
>> males, and overly aggressive females.
>> I just gave my local shop a brute of a female. Oh man! What a beautiful
>royal
>> blue she was. Perfect body shape...would have loved to spawn her. However,
>she
>> was a male killer. With females, she was fine..not even the alpha, but put
>a
>> male in the 75g..and she'd rip him to shreds within a few minutes. (I'm
>not
>> kidding...minutes).
>> This is why when giving spawning advice...I tell a person to do it when
>you
>> have the time to spend sitting there.
>> Personally, I will pull up a chair and park it.
>> You need to watch for too much aggression, a female not responding to the
>male
>> (this can make him turn on her and he may kill her). If the female hasn't
>been
>> conditioned properly, and not ready for spawning...she can be killed.
>> In the wild they have a chance to get away..ina tank there's no place to
>get
>> away from the male.
>> That's why you need to be there watching.
>> When a female is ready, and the male aproaches, she'll almost do a
>headstand.
>> Tail up, head down is body language for let's go to a male Betta.
>> The first sign is vertical barring, of course.
>> That just shows the male she's in a spawning mood.
>> The head down position means she's ready to go ahead.
>> Some males (or females too) may simply not like the mate you have chosen.
>Like
>> Angels..you're dealing with a fish that has a mind and knows how to use
>it. = )
>> A few years ago I had a pair of Bonnie McKinnley White Opaques. The male
>would
>> not spawn with the Opaque female to save his life. I tried two
>sisters...and he
>> didn't like either one of them.
>> That was that. Nothing I could do.
>> He simply did not like either of those females enough to spawn with them.
>> Another thing to note....a female MUST be removed right after spawning is
>> completed or the male can kill her. This is possibly what could have
>happened.
>> Betta eggs are very hard to see in a nest. Many times if you're not
>watching
>> them and the pair has already spawned...you may not even know it. Even a
>> seasoned Betta breeder can miss them in the nest. Cough cough. = )~
>> Ya think oh well...then in a few days there's wrigglers hanging down from
>the
>> nest and Pop's is tending his fry.
>> So...next time....park your butt and watch them. If you have a video
>camera you
>> can set it up and tape them if ya have to leave for a while....nature does
>> call. = )
>> You come back...reveiw the tape...no action..then leave them together. If
>you
>> see he's chasing her all over relentlessly...it's highly possible they
>> spawned...check the tape. = )
>> Fell free to email me directly as well with any questions about it too.
>> You will also need micro sized foods for Betta fry. Baby Brine Shrimp is
>too
>> large for all the fry to eat at first. Some breeders feed baby Brine right
>away
>> knowing they'll be raising only the largest fry.
>> (I have no idea if you knew that or not)
>>
>
>
>thx for that. I did see the vertical barring on the female which is when I
>figured she was ready to go. When released into the tank she immediately
>took off hiding behind a small sponge filter that I had running in the tank.
>The male kept going to her and back to the bubble nest I guess trying to
>entice her. Anyway thx for the tips. Right now I have the male in a 10g ,
>there is another 10 between him and the 10 the female is in. He can
>obviously see her as he spends a lot of time showing off. Having bred
>Tetras and Barbs and Corydoras I do have appropriate foods for small fry.
>Well when I get back from my Caribbean cruise on April 10th I'll give it
>another shot and watch more closely.
>
>Rick

Good job, and Bon voyage!