I recently purchased a male and female betta. On their own, each seems very eager to reproduce. The male makes a bubble nest EVERY night. The female has the white breeding tube spot. But when I put them together, the male flares at her, but won't nip or anything. SHE'S the one chasing him. She gets her deep vertical stripes, and chases him. When I put them together today, they just kid of sat at separate ends of the tank. I know the male isn't that old (well aware they lose their sex drives after like, 16 months), so I don't know what's up. I've never attempted to breed bettas before, so maybe this is normal? Personally I think she's too much woman for him. Heh I don't know. Ideas?

Ok, now he's chewed up her abdomen a little. I guess I'm happy that he's at least showing a little aggression or excitement... But I don't know. I promptly removed her.

Chewed up her abdomen? What do u mean by that exactly?

Betta pairs can get pretty rough during spawning, so don't remove her if u see a bit of aggression.

Dont know anything about betta breeding but I was just wondering what they looked like

As in like, scuffed frayed flesh. Much of the color is gone from those areas, and I can see blood (though she doesn't seem to be bleeding).

Edit: Should I still keep her in?

What what looked like? The spawn? That's detailed pic by pic in this link:

http://www.bettatalk.com/how_bettas_spawn.htm

...cept mine aren't doing that.

No sorry I meant what do your bettas look like

Aaaaand now she's bleeding near the gill and I don't know what to do. (I had put her back in). She's going to stay out for a while...

My male is a solid ruby red veil tail. No iridescence. My female is lavender and cornflower blue. Spade tail. I know mating the two will create some real mutts, but I don't care. Just doing it for fun. (Erm, that was the intention. Doesn't look like the girl is enjoying it much.)

Lol, yeah doesn't sound like it. They both sound nice though.

Waugh! If the male is tearing flesh outta her body then get her out! Torn/ripped fins and missing scales are ok, but past that u must separate them.

I think ur male doesn't like the girl

That's what I was kind of figuring the limit was... I removed her, and she's not going back. I knew something was up when all they did was flare at one another. And I don't mean like showing off fins. But full out attack flaring. The girl flared more than he did in the beginning. So maybe that put him off. Just a bummer cuz they both seemed so ready. Ah well. Least I still have my lady fish alive and well (ish...). Is there anything I can do for her wounds? She stopped bleeding, but is very red, and her skin is raw. All I can think to do is change the water often to prevent infection... but other than that?

U can try melafix, and yup keep the water pristine.

She died. It was entirely my fault.

OMG!!OMG!! i am so sorry for you i am i know that in your heart you was only trying to breed them for the best aw and to loose her like that must really hurt
and for your lost fish