Who Gives A Fish Forums

I've had my betta for over a week now and he's taken a real liking to the left side of the tank, near the inlet filter. He seems to enjoy swimming around that area, but I've noticed he often gets stuck to the inlet. I'm a bit concerned - is this something I should be worried about, or is it just his thing?

Your filter's flow seems a bit strong for your betta. I think reducing the flow would help, if that's an option for you. If not, you could try putting a sponge prefilter over the inlet to tone it down a bit.

As angelica said, betta fish don't enjoy being sucked against a filter intake. Those huge fins might look great, but they create a lot of drag, making it hard for them to swim in strong currents. In the wild, they're used to still waters, so it's no wonder they struggle in our tanks. Being sucked against the filter can cause fin tears and even fin rot, especially if you have plastic plants.

I came across an article that explains how bettas live in the wild and their need for a suitable filter. While I don't agree with everything, it's worth a read. It mentions that if your betta's filter is too strong, you should either remove it or reduce the flow. For tanks under 3 gallons, it's recommended to upgrade the tank size. Hanging on the back and internal filters can be too strong for bettas, causing them to struggle for air, hide, and frantically swim in the current.

A strong filter can severely stress your betta, leading to fin damage, injuries, and even death. They can get exhausted, tossed around, or sucked up by the filter. To minimize turbulence, keep the water level below the recommended depth from the filter's output. Try limiting the flow to the lowest setting if possible. If not, consider replacing the filter or adding plants and decorations near the filter to break the flow.

I'd recommend doing some more research on betta care requirements. You want your little guy to have a long and happy life, and a successful tank.

I'd recommend looking into either getting a new filter that's more suitable for your betta's needs, or taking a simpler approach by placing a small piece of sponge over the intake. You could also use panty hose as a makeshift prefilter, it's a pretty common solution.

I made some changes to the tank, put a stocking around the inlets and flipped the duckbill to the back, seems to have worked as the flow is much weaker now and he's not getting stuck to the inlet.

However, I've noticed something concerning today - there's a bubble or lump on his body that wasn't there yesterday or the day before. Does anyone know what this could be?

Can you take a pic and circle the area, I'm having trouble spotting it.

I've had great success with sponge filters driven by an air pump in my betta tanks, they're really the way to go. Simple, yet effective, and they don't create a strong current that can stress your betta out. I use them in most of my tanks, and I've found they provide a great balance of filtration and gentle water movement.

auburn wrote: ↑Sun Mar 24, 2024 5:29 pm I've had my betta for over a week now and he's taken a real liking to the left side of the tank, near the inlet filter. He seems to enjoy swimming around that area, but I've noticed he often gets stuck to the inlet. I'm a bit concerned - is this something I should be worried about, or is it just his thing?

Looks a bit like a growth to me. @kingrise, what's your take on it?

auburn wrote: ↑Sun Mar 24, 2024 5:29 pm I've had my betta for over a week now and he's taken a real liking to the left side of the tank, near the inlet filter. He seems to enjoy swimming around that area, but I've noticed he often gets stuck to the inlet. I'm a bit concerned - is this something I should be worried about, or is it just his thing?

What's your filter and tank setup like? Got a kit with a built-in filter and lighted hood? I've found a great solution that works for me and my betta tanks - Fluval Edge Prefilter sponges. They're easy to use and pretty cheap, only $2.50 to $4.00. Plus, they can help with beneficial bacteria.

The situation with your betta needs attention ASAP, so don't delay. If you do end up using these sponges, just be sure to secure them with a zip tie if needed, and keep an eye out for any sharp edges that might harm your betta.

florap wrote: ↑Mon Mar 25, 2024 7:43 am

auburn wrote: ↑Sun Mar 24, 2024 5:29 pm I've had my betta for over a week now and he's taken a real liking to the left side of the tank, near the inlet filter. He seems to enjoy swimming around that area, but I've noticed he often gets stuck to the inlet. I'm a bit concerned - is this something I should be worried about, or is it just his thing?

What's your filter and tank setup like? Got a kit with a built-in filter and lighted hood? I've found a great solution that works for me and my betta tanks - Fluval Edge Prefilter sponges. They're easy to use and pretty cheap, only $2.50 to $4.00. Plus, they can help with beneficial bacteria.

The situation with your betta needs attention ASAP, so don't delay. If you do end up using these sponges, just be sure to secure them with a zip tie if needed, and keep an eye out for any sharp edges that might harm your betta.

Thanks for the info, I've got an Aqua One 620T. The powerhead is pretty strong at 550l per hour, but with the stocking over it, the flow's been reduced - at least half, I'd say.