BettasfortheBabe

Hi folks -

So, we have been conditioning our male and female betta's for spawning - we've got the spawn tank more or less ready, but yesterday I ran out for the finishing touch - some java moss.
4 fish stores later (including our very high end aquatic specialty store) and NO JAVA MOSS! The last store I went into had just sold their last little bit, and after speaking with the very knowledgeable manager of the high end fish store, no one in the area carries it! They only time they get it is when their breeders, customers, and fish experts/enthusiasts sell it to them as they grow it themselves. However, he fished around in his plant tank and gathered some small bits of java moss for me for free (just a TINY bit that was left).
My question is - any alternatives that might be good? Should I throw the small bit of moss in that I have now, or just leave it out? If I can get ahold of some after the spawn, should I put it in anyway?
There isnt really any worry about seeding the spawn tank - it has 5 inches of water in it from our established tank in which our breeding pair lives now, so there is no worry about cycling. The spawn tank also has some of our live plants from our main tank too (the plants do insanely well).

Getting geared up for our second try at spawning! The first time it happened was a complete surprise - hopefully we will have more success this time now that we are ready!

Red1313

I hear the christmas moss works well. Though I've read that there are a lot of breeders that just spawn in a empty tank with a couple wally pots in there for the female to hide in.
<shrug> Wish I could help more.

Pandora

If you have silk plants or other live plants and such to give the female a hiding spot that should work just fine. Java moss is just commonly used because it's a great source of infusoria, and grows conveniently without needing any sort of substrate to anchor it. If you can't find it, don't stress over it, it's not mandatory!
And yep, I think Christmas moss can work just fine too if that's more available to you.

BettasfortheBabe

Thanks guys and gals, I feel better


Is excessive flaring dangerous for a male betta? Our male seems so much happier and enthusiastic when HIS girl is in view, better if they are in the same (divided) tank - and almost droopy when she isn't around. However, when he's not constantly bubble-nesting, he is flaring like mad. We want to return our breeding pair to their regular tank after the spawn, a divided 10 gal - the fact that he will bubblenest build and flare at her for an indeterminate time dangerous for him? We don't have room for any more tanks, so at LEAST two of them have to share a divided tank (we have two males, one female betta)

Martinismommy

Christmas moss is what I use but I agree, it's hard to find..Soft silk plants will work just fine for the spawning but you want a live plant for the frys 1st food....

As far as constant flaring it just depends on the male....My boy Mercy is in constant flare and his fins are just fine but I have other males who have split their fins from flaring...I personally don't feel it is dangerous to flare....A little tiring perhaps for the male but it certainly won't kill him...

Pandora

Yes, just keep an eye on him... if he's appearing stressed or his fins are getting ragged you might want to think of separating them. He doesn't have the finnage that's really prone to blowing, but there's always a bit of a risk. As long as he seems happy, just very active and flaring, though, I think he should be fine. I've never carded my adults or juvies, so they flare off and on as they please, and most are just fine with that!