Alex going gravid?

[BPSabelhaus]

Yeah, it's the only reason I'm pushing her to eat a bit. It's those post breeding nutrients that are huge. Lost our male Betta after he spawned. Female did just fine, had a huge appetite. But the male was dedicated to his spawn, refused food even after being removed from his nest. Built a new nest and died beneath it. Dude was a dedicated father.

Was having small rhythmic movements for a few minutes but is looking around a bit now. Maybe starting contractions once she got comfy. Was thinking about turning her lights off, but also don't want to throw her off so I moved her shade canopy a bit.

 

[xp29]

Yeah, it's the only reason I'm pushing her to eat a bit. It's those post breeding nutrients that are huge. Lost our male Betta after he spawned. Female did just fine, had a huge appetite. But the male was dedicated to his spawn, refused food even after being removed from his nest. Built a new nest and died beneath it. Dude was a dedicated father.
View attachment 94712

Was having small rhythmic movements for a few minutes but is looking around a bit now. Maybe starting contractions once she got comfy. Was thinking about turning her lights off, but also don't want to throw her off so I moved her shade canopy a bit.

I'm sorry to hear about ypur beta, that's crazy that they will literally starve themselves like that.
Alex looks tuckered. Hopefully she is done laying soon and can get some relief.

 

[BPSabelhaus]

Yeah, the males guard the nest until the fry are all free swimming. Until then they have zero response to feeding stimuli. He was in a tank full of live food, but was just stuck in dad mode unfortunately.
Took a video. It's like a heavy breath and light push sort of motion.

Took a quick peak just to check on her, see where she dug etc... Didn't want to disturb her too much. Have some soothing music on for her.

 

[xp29]

Yeah, the males guard the nest until the fry are all free swimming. Until then they have zero response to feeding stimuli. He was in a tank full of live food, but was just stuck in dad mode unfortunately.
Took a video. It's like a heavy breath and light push sort of motion.
View attachment 94719

Took a quick peak just to check on her, see where she dug etc... Didn't want to disturb her too much. Have some soothing music on for her.

She looks like she is ready for it to be done and over with.

 

[BPSabelhaus]

Slept on the hot side under the heat element on a branch under her hammock. Seems like she needed some extra warmth.

 

[AHBD]

Yeah, the males guard the nest until the fry are all free swimming. Until then they have zero response to feeding stimuli. He was in a tank full of live food, but was just stuck in dad mode unfortunately.
Took a video. It's like a heavy breath and light push sort of motion.
View attachment 94719

Took a quick peak just to check on her, see where she dug etc... Didn't want to disturb her too much. Have some soothing music on for her.

I know it's hard but best to leave her alone. I didn't see any type of motion in the video, what you'll see is a very slight serpentine motion from the rear area, about every minute or so as they lay.

 

[BPSabelhaus]

It was a heavy breathing type of thing. Kind of like the early "I'm out of breath" sort of breathing before things start happening. I've added a bit more shade over the entrance to give her more privacy and I'm thinking about moving the heat element over top of her digging box. Strange that she slept on the hot side. She fell asleep on her stick with much of her tummy hanging in the gap. Seemed comfy, but she must have moved overnight for warmth. Definitely don't want to disturb her. Just wanted to check after she had dug herself back a bit to make sure she had plenty of room. For the future I think I want to have a separate box for her to do this in. Probably gonna need to change the substrate after this. Just set it up like breeders with a tub, some soil and air holes to basically have a bedroom to put her in.

 

[AHBD]

No heating over her is necessary, she's comfortable there.

 

[BPSabelhaus]

Pretty sure strenuous exercise is a don't, but she's a princess and she'll parkour the palace if she wants lol
There is a nice doorway that leads straight in lol

 

[AHBD]

Lol, they are cooky creatures

 

[BPSabelhaus]

She tried digging through the Douglas fir top of the box next. I removed the top and she is furiously digging right now. I was wondering if she had enough space, guess not.

She couldn't stand up before.

 

[AHBD]

Yep, this is typical gravid behavior. They can pick a spot, dig for a bit, leave, dig somewhere else, return, etc.
Others lay them anywhere so it's not the same with every one.

 

[BPSabelhaus]

Yep, this is typical gravid behavior. They can pick a spot, dig for a bit, leave, dig somewhere else, return, etc.
Others lay them anywhere so it's not the same with every one.

lol

 

[AHBD]

Try putting more substrate in and also cover the top of her box for privacy.

 

[BPSabelhaus]

I have her blinds closed for now and she has a palm mat over her digging area. I'll try getting more substrate in too.
Playing cedar flute music for her too

Peeked in through the blinds because I could see her pushing herself upright on a branch through the side vent. As soon as I pulled back a corner she started head bobbing at me. Well then, excuse me I'll give you privacy lol She never heard bobs unless looking in a mirror or meeting a stranger.