The male instantly chose the canister as a nesting site over the leaves and bamboo caves that he had two weeks to investigate and use as nesting sites – it was amazing – half hour after canister added – he was in it, the next day bubbles were in it, a day or so later the spawning took place in it. The leaves were in there already, as you thought – resting upon some bamboo sections (which were becoming anaerobic, even though well boiled before adding to the tank) so I removed the bamboo and put in the other fresh materials and the leaves back in. Then he instantly moved the clutch to somewhere in the rearranged leaves – I think he has moved the clutch, as you suggest, as he definitely is staying in the back and only comes out to feed, and keep the female away from his secret area.
When I took photo below – it taught me why a paro might like a floating cave – very easy work to build a bubble nest with the air and cave right next to each other. Why are eggs placed in bubbles anyway – O2 requirements? – the male fans the eggs as well – O2 requirements? This male really went for the floating cave – ignoring the submerged leaves and bamboo caves – does it mimic some floating leaves that he would, in nature, choose to use as the spawning site as a regular behavior? And if disturbed (or not) move them to a more secure area in the submerged leaves for further development – (or, if safe, stay in the floating nest?) Every wild betta I’ve ever bred (not that many) has used a film canister for the spawning site, even with many leave caves to choose from. I think I will add pottery caves in with these nagyi and see what happens – I know paros often choose them, like you say – they were my first choice to use with paros – they are in with the sp. palangan now. I will have the leaves, clay caves and canister next time to see what happens.
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Micro worms on the way – the tank is swimming with infusoria – artemia is being fed to adults. Conductivity 70µS, pH 5.5 – will continue with lowering conductivity.