Bubbles on the surface of Betta bowl

B

boo-boo

Brenda
Jul 11, 2006
56
0
0
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Northern New Jersey
Hi, currently I have a male Betta in a bowl. I change the water one to two times a week and feed once a day. Lately there has been a bubble cluster forming on the surface of the water. I skim it away and it's back the next day..any idea what that is??
I recently got a 90 gal tank and as soon as it's cycled I'm going to move fish out of my 16 gal, so that I can move the Betta into the 16 gal (which is cycled and has filter/heater et.c.. Can I get some more suggestions for tankmates for the Betta? I like Sunburst Platies, think they'd be ok?
Thanks
 
They might be okay with the betta it depends on your betta. As far as the bubbles, do you have a filter, aeration or anything in your bowl/tank?
 
Bettas are bubble nest builders. Finding clumps of bubbles is nothing to worry about. Your betta is just doing what nature has programed him to do.
 
Males make bubbles?

Thank you both for your quick reply.
I don't have any type of filter..I know that's not the best set up, that's why I'll be moving him soon.

So males make bubble nests? And he would do that even w/o a female in the environment? Does it mean he wants one?? Probably just an instinct hu? So should I clear the bubbles off the surface?


I have another issue maybe you could help me with too. My airconditioner died on me this weekend and the temp. of my 16 gal tank has risin from 78 degrees to 82 over the last two days. I've read that it's a 10 degree change w/in a 24 hr period that's stressfull, but do you think I should take some action? And if so, what? Maybe change some of the water out w/cooler water?

Thanks
 
i've only seen my male betta make bubles at the surface when there wasn't enough oxygen in the water to breathe. i know they do make bubble nests, but i think they don't do it unless there's a female around. the heat is probably depriving your water of oxygen (gas is less soluble at higher temperatures). you might want to add an airstone.

to cool the water, you can do the cool water thing, but slowly, otherwise you stand a chance of shocking your fish. other folks will float a bag of ice in their tank. i just like to prop the lid open, and direct a fan at the water. the evaporation will cool the water a few degrees, but you will need to top-off the water in your tank.
 
Some male bettas make bubble nests all the time - it just means their happy and feeling manly (fishly?). I would add in an airstone, for the reason mentioned above, until you get a filter. As for future tankmates in a 16 gallon, anything WITHOUT long flowy fins may work, but depending on your betta, may not. Be prepared to move him (2 gallons absolute minimum, filter and heater, please!) if it doesnt work out. Platies and mollies will probably work, cories will probably work (smaller species like panda, dwarf)...
82 isa bit warm, but betas do like warmer water. If you want, aim a fan to blow over the surface of the water. And get that airstone!
 
yes, the airstone in itself will also help cool the water, by producing water movement.

for the bubble nest thing, i did not know that. now i know, and knowing is half the battle :) i've also heard some bettas squirt water when they're happy?!
 
i imagine he will probably be okay as is- bettas are indeed tropical fish... but if you wanna be safe i would go with fan rather than adding cold water or ice.. its better to have consistent temperature, even if its somewhat hot than to have temperature that is constantly changing. Until you get a filter, just keep up with regular partial water changes, and he should stay healthy :)
 
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