Two Questions... May Be Stupid Ones...

I love this website and all the advise you guys have given me. Through you guys I've learned how to properly care for a betta. But here are some questions that have and for some reason haven't read an answer.
1. Do all Bettas change color? I read somewhere only Marble morphs do, and somewhere else said all. Mine has a black face and a silvery metallic body and fins, I love his coloring and just want to know if I can expect it to change.
2. This is more of a concern, I've had my betta now for close to a month and I still haven't seen any sign of a bubble nest. He's a male crowntail (at least that was what he was labelled) Phantom's in a 5 gallon tank with a filter on it's lowest setting... Should I be worried? His tank has a heater that maintains the tank at 78 degrees. He's fairly active and loves to play in the live plants in the tank. He swims up to the glass when I'm nearby, as if to greet me. And I haven't really had any issues with him eating, though he doesn't seem to like pellet food. I just wanna know my little buddy is okay...

 

Betta's color will often change with age, they're usually just coming out of the juvenile stage when they go to market. Maybe he'll change, maybe he won't. Enjoy watching your boy grow into his true colors (is that sappy or what ).

Bettas range from active to lethargic, both are normal. Some build nests, some don't. Floating a plant, or getting a plant to grow above the waterline may stimulate him to build a nest around it. They usually build their nests around something sticking into, or out of the water. This way it's anchored, and doesn't drift off in the current, be it fast or slow. If he doesn't appear to be struggling (swimming sideways, laying around on his back/sides, etc.) he's probably just fine.

Pellets are boring for betta. While nutrionally sound, they want to chase live mosquito larve. You're in FL, shouldn't be hard to find those from time to time. I wouldn't try to cultivate them though, for obvious reasons. If you do manage to get a larvae for him, make sure the head doesn't get stuck outside his mouth. I had a little book about bettas a while back and the writer cautioned that he occasionally had to reach in and remove the head from a partially ingested larvae - which could be challenging if Phantom swims away from you. Guppy fry may be appetizing as well. Try different foods. On poster on here gave had a schedule that was something like 1 pellet/day, piece of pea on day three, nothing day four, bloodworm day 5 etc. or something. Probably unnecessary, even by the poster's admission. Rotate food, don't over feed, and you should be fine.

 

HI there!!

To answer your first question no not all bettas change color. There is a gene that some fish have which can trigger amazing color changes but it’s not something in every fish.

Second, no not all male bettas will build bubble nests. I had my boy for three wonderful years and although he was a very happy fish in every other way, he almost never built bubble nests. As long as your parameters are good and he’s acting normally you shouldn’t be too concerned

 

Some change colors others don't so its hard to tell unless you would happen to know his complete linage. As far as bubble nests that's also a some do and some don't so its not really a good way to tell if he's healthy. If he's active and eating, shows no sign of desease or larthargic I wouldn't worry.

 

Thanks guys, I was starting to worry I was somehow neglecting him. Everywhere I had read said all happy bettas make bubbles nests. I hope his colors don't change too much, though I love Phantom's big personality in his little fish body.

 

Well, that is true. They probably won't make a nest if they're unhappy, but it's hardly an all-inclusive indicator. I wonder if it's something in the breeding over the last few years. It seems to me that when I was a kid, every one we got made one, but I can't say I've seen very many making nests at the stores or elsewhere.

 

Well, that's nice to know that he's probably still happy. But I'm kinda sad I won't get to see any bubbles nests, I think they're kinda cute. Or maybe he just doesn't want to yet. I guess we'll see.

 

Crafty Cichlid it took three filter changes to find one that didn't blow him around. While he tends to avoid where it directly enters the tank, he doesn't seem affected.
This is my first betta, and while I'd already read their proper care I'm still kinda learning so I worry fairly easily. I do have a few neon in with him and a snail to help with cleanup as well.
I like to see him resting in the plants. The plants all have close together leaves and he'll curl up in them. I am excited to see how he grows, he's maybe 3 inches from nose to tip of his tail.
I would go and try to get some mosquito larvae, but I don't know how. And I know some people in my area add salt to try and kill them.

 

Well, that's nice to know that he's probably still happy. But I'm kinda sad I won't get to see any bubbles nests, I think they're kinda cute. Or maybe he just doesn't want to yet. I guess we'll see.

You could still get bubble nests from him, I've had my male betta for a little over a year and I only saw his first bubble nest a few months ago and he hasn't made one since.

 

Crafty Cichlid it took three filter changes to find one that didn't blow him around. While he tends to avoid where it directly enters the tank, he doesn't seem affected.
This is my first betta, and while I'd already read their proper care I'm still kinda learning so I worry fairly easily. I do have a few neon in with him and a snail to help with cleanup as well.
I like to see him resting in the plants. The plants all have close together leaves and he'll curl up in them. I am excited to see how he grows, he's maybe 3 inches from nose to tip of his tail.
I would go and try to get some mosquito larvae, but I don't know how. And I know some people in my area add salt to try and kill them.

If your dubious of sprays or salt, skip the larvae, he'll be fine without them. Conversely you can just leave a shallow bowl of water out, and net any larvae you find in it. I would empty the bowl of anything you don't catch though.

 

That's actually not a bad idea. I'll try that.