Is a betta bubble nest a sign of happiness?

When I first brought Ocean home in March and put him in his 7.5g long home, he took a day to recover from the pet store, then started making bubble nests like crazy. I took this as a good sign that he approved of his new home and felt a lot better. Well, a few weeks later I switched from a HOB to a sponge filter on the advice of a lot of people. He immediately stopped making bubble nests. Because of how the tank was set up, I put the filter in the middle as a compromise between the two places he liked to hang out, at either end of the aquarium. But still no go. So finally last week I moved the sponge filter to one corner because he was preferring the other, and now a plant keeps the bubbles from the filter confined...so I hoped he would start making his own nests again...but still nothing.

Is it true that bubbles don't mean happiness, and that a male betta who doesn't make them is just fine? Or...?
Back in the day, when he still thought bubble nests were cool:

 

I’m not sure what made him stop making bubble nests, but I do know for sure that bubble nests do NOT mean happiness. It is a instinctual behavior that is engraved into a male bettas brain.

If you have ever seen a betta making a bubble nest at PetCo in their tiny little cups, you’ll know what I mean. Hope this helped with at least a part of your question

 

A White Cloud Minnow can you source your information? I'm curious because everyone says they do it because they are healthy and happy

 

I’m sure you’ll find many people that agree with the fact that it is instinctual, I have no source other than the fact that I have seen bettas in PetCo build bubble nests in tiny cups, and I have had several bettas who were stressed or sick that build bubble nests. It is a common myth that they do it because they are happy though. I’m sorry that I can’t provide a source for this information.

 

A White Cloud Minnow can you source your information? I'm curious because everyone says they do it because they are healthy and happy

Mine are healthy and happy and don't make bubble nests. My males only do it if they see others or see females. Sometimes they do take breaks though because there hard to build.

 

I’m sure you’ll find many people that agree with the fact that it is instinctual, I have no source other than the fact that I have seen bettas in PetCo build bubble nests in tiny cups, and I have had several bettas who were stressed or sick that build bubble nests. It is a common myth that they do it because they are happy though. I’m sorry that I can’t provide a source for this information.

That's okay.