i got bettas breeding atm, when i had the female in a little clear box hanging in the tank for the male to go batty over, he did just that ... and too batty to even build a nest. so i blacken out two sides of the transparent box, so he could just see her from a couple of sides ... he knew where to come for a look, but the two blacked out sides were enough for him not to get too distracted and he build a nest ... in the meantime, lots of live food for both of them, mossie larvae, blackworms, brineshrimp, as well as an assortment of dry food. Once the nest was built i removed the blackouts. the female had had her peace, and the male enough to build a nest, so they went nuts once i released the female into the tank proper. I've bred lots of betta this way ... live food never goes astray. this particular female is the nurturing kind, too, helping to keep the nest in good repair and collecting the eggs to spit into it. regardless, always take the female out after spawning, coz the male will tear her to shreds.