Imbellis Betta Male not getting the hint

[TheFishNerd]

I have introduced by blue imbellis male to my two alien females who get along perfectly and mind their own business most of the time. The only time there is any aggression is when one fish gets right up in the others face but any chasing doesn't last more than an inch or two. They don't even flare unless they are trying to get the opposite genders attention. The only reason I have these three together is because they are masters at jumping over or squeezing through any divider I can make. The two females were living peacefully until I could no longer keep the male on his side of the divider because he is so excited by females. The dumb guy keeps getting up in the females face and trying to show off which causes them to chase him away. After an inch or so of chasing they don't bother him but he keeps turning around and trying again relentlessly. The female was so excited by him and would show off her colors an hour ago but now that he is over the divider she has suddenly lost interest. He also does it to the blue alien but since she is not as brightly colored they just leave each other alone most of the time. Will they get used to each other or should I order another divider? It's only been about an hour or so that they have been together so should I just give them time since I know it may take a while for them to get used to each other. (It is not a permanent setup but my EBJD is still in my 10 gallon while I let some silicone dry in his tank.)

 

[duanes]

Just because you put a male and female together, doesn't mean they will be ready or able to spawn together, at any certain moment.
There are a number of reasons why or why not. Water parameters, water depth, tank mates in the form of competition, etc etc
A female must also be carrying a number of eggs developed enough to be fertilized.
Has your male built a bubble nest cueing the females he's ready?
There are also other cues that may prompt female to accept or reject a male, or prompt her, that may not be obvious to humans.
I know many people say put them together, and they will spawn, but I find nothing is that simple.
I have had cichlids male and female, kill 3 or 4 suitors before they find that perfect match, and the same with a number of anabantids.
Have you been prepping them with high protein foods? I have found feeding lots of live mosquito larvae seems to prompt romance, simulating a seasonal bounty of breeding time.

 

[duanes]

One other thought, I had breeding pairs of paradise fish (Macrpodus) and I found by adding slightly cooler rain water ( much softer than my tap water) after putting pairs together seemed to prompt breeding, maybe indicating the start of rainy season, along with loads of mosquito larvae and daphnia I'd grow in rain filled containers.

 

[TheFishNerd]

Thanks for the tips. I wanted to introduce them to breed when they are ready but they find every possible way to get across every barrier I put up. I was hoping the male and either one of the females would pair up, live peacefully, and breed but they both reject him. I will just give them more time and keep doing my best to seperate them until they want to spawn. I might wait until it is warm out and do exactly what you suggest and add some rainwater along with lots of live food to try and get the male to build a bubble nest if he doesn't do so before then.

 

[TheFishNerd]

Well, I separated the male imbellis and my turquoise alien female just built a bubble nest so the store actually sent me two males and a female which explains a lot of the unusual behavior.

 

[Magnus_Bane]

Well, I separated the male imbellis and my turquoise alien female just built a bubble nest so the store actually sent me two males and a female which explains a lot of the unusual behavior.

From what I've seen and experienced is with breeding bettas is that you want no more then 10in of water depth along with zero water flow. It also helps to add a floating leaf to the male's side of the tank as it can help in the construction of his bubble nest. Don't add the female in with the male untill he has his nest ready for her. Also do not be surprised if the female destroys the nest as it may not be up to her standards. Another note is if the male is flairing his gills and thrashing his tail around at the female that is a sign of aggression not flirting, it's only when he turns his side to her and flairs his fins only that he is flirting. The same also goes for the female, if she is interested she will flair her fins and nothing else but if she isn't interested she will thrash her tail around and flair her gills out at him. It also helps to raise the temp of the tank to around 75-78°F for a couple of weeks while feeding high protein foods as mentioned by duanes, after the female has developed a nice rounded belly that's when I would start simulating the rainy season as they also mentioned. Also almost forgot to mention that during the increased temp period to not add water to the tank as this will simulate a dry period before the rainy season.

 

[Alexandboi]

With wilds or wild types, just add an almond leaf to a tank with 6 or so inches of water and a few hiding spots. Just keep feeding like normal and they will spawn sooner or later. Obviously keep an eye on them, but I have found that wild types do not do much damage and are not as aggressive, and much easier to breed. Also, remove the female that you would rather the male not spawn with. Temperature above 75 or so will be fine.

 

[TheFishNerd]

My "female" that ended up being a male is trying his hardest to convince the female to go over to his bubble nest. Unfortunately the plants he made it under separated and broke the nest apart. I hope he builds a new one. The female has vertical barring and they don't want to leave each other's side so I'm just going to leave them be.