I have a 2 gallon tank with one male betta. The tank has a film on the top. It almost looks like an oil spill would. I stir the top and little fuzzy float through the water.
I think this killed the last betta and playco I had.
Does anyone know how to fix this problem?
2006-12-19 07:57:29 · 7 answers · asked by Cousin Betta 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
if you add filtration to the bowl then the film will go away. it should not kill your betta (they breath atmospheric air) but it will kill a pleco (you need a bigger tank with a filter and heater to keep pleco's)
2006-12-19 08:00:19 · answer #1 · answered by Robin 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I get the same thing every once in a while whatever you do don't cover your tank because Betta's breathe air from the surface and there won't be enough to keep the fish alive. I use filtered/distilled bottle water from the store and it has helped a lot. I think most of it is how often you clean the tank I clean every other week and don't ususally have a problem but if I let it go longer than that I notice a film could be from the feces in the tank and the type of food you are feeding the fish. The betta bites I use have oil in them and that seems to affect the condition of the water. It could just be dust particles floating in the air that gather on the top of your water. On a side note I wouldn't keep a playco in a 2 gallon tank unless you have heat and air for it.
2006-12-19 16:15:48 · answer #2 · answered by prettybird 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be many things. Do you have a cover over your tank? If not it is probably just dust that found its way into the tank. It also could be some kind of bacterial or algae bloom. Bacteria blooms that cover the surface are very common in tanks that have not been cycled. Have you cycled your tank? If not, google 'nitrogen cycle' and find out how.
Also, there is no pleco that is small enough for a 2 gallon tank. Bettas are just about the only fish that will live a full healthy life in such a tiny environment.
This is a reply to the person who said not to cover their tank. Obviously you don't want it to be airtight. Just cover it as you would any other tank and you will be fine. There is obviously going to be an air gap where the filter or air hose is going in. If you have an airstone it won't matter anyway, because that will get oxygen to the tank.
2006-12-19 16:01:58 · answer #3 · answered by fish guy 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
An oil spill? you call it a little fuzzy too. Does it perhaps look more like spit? a bunch of white bubbles? That would be the betta's nest, which it makes to attract a mate.
If you are getting an oily film, and not a nest, you can "wipe" it off the top with a silk or velvet cloth, although more frequent water changes would probably be better.
2006-12-19 17:37:18 · answer #4 · answered by ye_river_xiv 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Another possibility, besides the aforementioned dust, bacteria, or algae, is residue from a cleaner that you have used. If you've used any kind of soap to clean any of the equipment or the tank, it could've left a residue. That aside, if there's nothing breaking up the surface of the water, then this will happen. There needs to be some turbulence on the surface.
2006-12-19 16:06:46 · answer #5 · answered by AK 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the only thing i can think of is to remove your fish from the tank, and clean it completely with scorching hot water. don't use soap of any kind. just hot hot water. then, refill with lukewarm water, some dechlorinator, and put the fish back in. if you'd like, as a safety precaution for your betta, use some betta-max. it's an antibiotic specifically for bettas. just follow the directions on the box. good luck
2006-12-19 16:04:02 · answer #6 · answered by desidoo 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I use distilled water for my betta and I don't get a film
2006-12-19 16:00:54 · answer #7 · answered by nice3fishinggal 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋