Here is my little girl lightning mcqueen(ie). I got her on monday and she has been doing great in my 6 gal tank, but today I came back home at night and turned on the light to check on her and she was almost not moving close to the surface.
I tried feeding her but she barely ate so I started freaking out. She kept near the surface and gasping (I think) for air. I freaked out and turned her fitler on higher. I had it on a low setting because otherwise she just gets propelled agains the glass when she swims behind it (the current is turned towards the glass).
I did a nitrate and amonia test just to be sure and they were both fine (liqued test).
She seems to be okay now, moving around and looking at me and not constantly coming for air but if she goes behind the filter she does gets swooped away by.the current. Not very far but I am scared this will hurt her, but I am also scared if I turn it to a lower setting again there will not be enough oxygen again and that I won't be on time.
Anyone have simular problems witj their tanks? And how do I make sure the oxygen flow is better? I have got a pretty good amount of plants. Could it be the biofilm on the wood? Will she be okay with the higher current or will this also harm her?
https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1vu0p4e
Posted by solarlein
3 Comments
They make little filter blockers to ensure your McQueenie doesnt get stuck. Another option is to keep the lower filter speed, and add in a aeration stone. They create lovely bubbles betas like to play in!
I have also seen people wrap sponge filters around their filters to ensure they dont get stuck. I dont know if that is the safest option or not, but maybe it is worth looking into with your type of filter.
Your fish is gorgeous and clearly loved 💙 youre gonna figure it out and shes gonna be okay!
If you have surface movement where the surface tension breaks then yes there is enough gas exchange for a single betta.
If your tank is newly set up it’s likely tank is not cycled and your fish is stressed so you’ll likely need to check parameters quite often.
Ideally bettas love sponge filters and they work great for 5g tanks
when you say “fine” when it comes to the ammonia and nitrate wdym? what are the exact numbers?