Do betta fish need bubblers?

Question

Or can they do fine with a lower oxygen level in their little tank?

Answer 1

No. They are labyrinth breathers, meaning they go to the surface to get their air. There's no need for an aerator.

Answer 2

Just because they CAN live in a small bowl or vase without a filter or aerator does not mean they SHOULD be kept that way. All fish should have filters in their tanks.

In the wild, bettas live up to five years, in a well maintained aquarium with heater and filter, they can live up to seven years. I read somewhere that the record in a laboratory setting is slightly longer than 10 years.

Here is an excerpt from an excellent article on the web site for freshwater aquarium fish at "About.com."

The argument made for keeping fish in a vase is that pumps, filters, and other aquarium equipment, do not exist in nature. By putting the fish in what appears to be a natural environment the assumption is made that it is inherently as healthy as, if not healthier than, an aquarium. That simply isn't the case.

It is true that in nature the betta lives in shallow rice paddies and swamps. However those waters represent a complete ecological system, which cannot be replicated in a small vase. Rice paddies are shallow but are still part of a much larger body of water that serves to dilute toxins. Scavengers and bacteria present in native waters break down wastes and render them harmless to fish.

In nature the betta lives on a diet that consists predominantly of insects and insect larvae. In fact, bettas contribute significantly in controlling mosquitoes that abound in their native habitat. The betta's digestive tract is geared for meat. Its upturned mouth is designed to grab insects that have fallen into the water. Although they may be observed picking for morsels on plants and rocks, they are not bottom feeders by nature. A diet consisting of vegetable matter may keep them alive for a while, but it is not natural or healthy. Over time they will slowly be starved of the proper nutrients, and more easily fall victim to disease.

Another factor that has been completely overlooked in the lily-betta combination is the element of water temperature. The primary reason bettas in small bowls are often listless is because the water temperature is too low.

Bettas are native to countries in southeast Asia such as Thailand (formerly Siam) where the climate is hot and moist. The ideal water temperature for the betta is about 80 degrees fahrenheit. Although they can “survive” at lower temperatures, they become lethargic and may even refuse to eat.

Unless you live in a very warm climate, the water in a vase cannot be maintained in the upper 70's to lower 80's. Subjecting the betta to cool temperatures is the same as if you or I had to live in a house where the temperature didn't rise above 60 degrees.

Lastly, there is the issue of how the betta breathes. Like other fish, the betta derives oxygen from the water. However, it also has special organ that allows it to breathe air directly. Its upturned mouth allows it to easily gulp air from the surface, and therefore survive in waters that are low in oxygen.

If the lily vase is not properly set up, there will be insufficient open space at the top of the water for the betta to reach the air. As the oxygen dissolved in the water is used up, the betta will need to breathe air more often. Should it have trouble reaching the surface, it may become deprived of the oxygen it needs to survive.

The peace lily-betta combination is clearly a popular fad, but it is neither natural nor healthy for the fish. A dog or cat owner would never consider shutting their pet in a small closet with minimal heat, food, and air.

The betta should not be treated any less humanely. BTW, betta is pronounced bet-tah, not bay-tah.

Answer 3

They aren't neccessary because bettas have a specialized lung called a labirynth lung that allows them to breath surface air as well as oxygen in the water. However this doesn't mean that a bubbler won't be handy. The bubbler will keep oxygen in the water so your betta won't have to surface himself as often to get air and will add a little aesthetic value to the tank. Be sure to get a valve to attach to the bubbler to turn down the air flow if it is too strong, Bettas don't care alot for strong current as their fins aren't built for swimming against a current and will tire him out as well as causing undo stress.

Answer 4

betta fish are one of the only types of fish that do not need air from bubblers, as you call them, but that does mean that there tanks need to be cleaned more often with out the extra flow going through the tank

Answer 5

Not required no, but always a good idea. Unless of course you have a filter on the tank then the bubbler isn't needed at all.

MM

Answer 6

Nope, your betta will be fine without one. I have one for my betta, but you don't have to have it.

Answer 7

No, not needed. They breathe at the water surface-watch him, you'll see him gulping air.

Answer 8

The first answer above is correct.

Answer 9

Mine don't and they have lived for a long time.

Answer 10

No. They can survive in their small tanks, but I liked to keep mine in a cool flower vase. He had more room and it was more decorative.