Who Gives A Fish Forums

I've got a couple of tanks, both 45-gallon talls, with Tidal 75's that have built-in skimmers. I use at least one 10-inch air bar in each, and the way they're set up, the skimmers suck in some bubbles that hit the impellers, breaking them down into micro bubbles. The filters then push these micro bubbles deeper into the water - not something I planned, just how it worked out. One tank has a larger Angel Fish, and it seems to collect these micro bubbles on its sides, especially when it's sleeping or whatever. At first, I thought it might have Ich, but after watching it closely, the 'spots' seem to disappear. I'm thinking these 'spots' might just be micro bubbles stuck to its slime coat. If that's the case, is it bad for the fish? Should I find a way to divert the bubbles or block the skimmer on those filters?

While micro bubbles are generally harmless, I'd say it's a different story when they're sticking to your fish. You see, in large bodies of water like oceans and rivers, micro bubbles are a natural occurrence, but in a closed environment like an aquarium, too many can be problematic.

If these bubbles get trapped in the gills or cause irritation to the slime coat, it can lead to respiratory issues and damage to the fish's protective layer. So, it's probably a good idea to try and minimize their presence on your fish. If moving the air stone or adjusting the setup can help prevent this, I'd say it's worth a shot.