Oily film in Betta tank

[pwrflpills]

My 2.5 gal Betta tank has this oily looking film on the surface of the water.

I did a water change yesterday and it almost seems worse than ever. I'm concerned this may inhibit the fish's ability to get air. Is this common? Any opinions?

(I do not have current water parameters at this time, sorry.)

[Galaxie]

If you don't disturb the surface of the water via filtration or aeration, etc. you will get the oily film. Shouldn't bother the betta, but.... aeration is always good. ...maybe a tiny airpump with a bubbler stone...

[Larissa]

Have you used Melafix for any reason? I've seen an oily film on the water from it before.

[rrkss]

It is caused by the fats and oils inside the betta's food + some of the slime coat since that constantly sloughs off and replenishes itself.

[pwrflpills]

Thanks guys.

I was concerned about using my airstone cause it seems to really stir up the water and make it a little uncomfortable for the betta in a small tank.

[Native American]

It is caused by the fats and oils inside the betta's food + some of the slime coat since that constantly sloughs off and replenishes itself.

I'd always wondered about that. Thanks for a great, sensible answer.

v/r, N-A

[Roan Art]

Do you not have a filter in the tank?

Roan

[NotGumbel]

I've found that the film is more common when I have more floating plants, and one or more areas of the tank don't get proper circulation from the filter output.

[kyle3]

the water conditioners with biocoat and stress coat and stuff can do that also

[Aqualung]

You can remove it by dragging a plain white sheet of paper across the surface. For a 2.5 gallon you'd need a really small piece of paper though. I get that film on my tanks that have little to no surface agitation, but the paper trick works well to remove it.