my beta seems to be having a hrd time staying afloat

Your Betta might also be exhibiting this behavior because the water in your aquarium is polluted. These types of fish can supplement their breathing by taking air directly from the surface, which might be why you can see your Betta go to the surface every once in a while. Not just that, but Bettas are also part of a species called labyrinth fish. When there’s not enough oxygen in the water to go around, fish like Bettas tend to go to the surface to get some precious air. It’s also agitated when the water moves, increasing the amount of breathable “air” in the water.īut things are different in your aquarium.Ī closed system like that has a very limited surface area, and very little oxygenation occurs. In large bodies of water, oxygenation is assured because of the large surface area of a lake, river, or creek. In other words, it’s how your fish can “breathe” in the aquarium. Oxygenation is the process where oxygen molecules integrate into the water. The surface of the aquarium is where oxygenation occurs. It could be that the water is too shallow, there’s not enough oxygenation going on, or there are too many fishes sharing the oxygen. There’s A Lack Of Oxygen In The Water ColumnĪnother possible reason for this type of behavior is that your Betta fish might not get enough oxygen from the water. Thus, floating to the top and on its side will expose the fish to your aquarium lighting and warm it up. When it becomes too cold for your Betta fish to bear, it will also want to get closer to the heat source to warm up. However, Bettas are inherently not used to this type of environment, as they come from warm tropical climates.Įven generations of breeding in non-tropical areas haven’t changed this aspect of Betta splendens. Some species, like koi fish, burrow into the sediment and hibernate. If you’ve ever been ice fishing, you know that larger species of fish in the lake tend to congregate near the bottom of the water body and take their “winter rest.”ĭuring these times, fish become dormant they move very little and don’t do much to hunt. The same thing happens when the water of your aquarium is too cold.įish’s metabolism slows down when the water becomes very cold. This also means that they’re used to being near the surface of the aquarium, so if you think that it’s floating up and to its side because of the temperature, just let it cool off or improve its fish tank. This can typically happen during the summer months, especially if your aquarium is situated in direct sunlight.īetta fishes are labyrinth-breathing fishes, which means they can inhale direct air. This is because they’re trying to cool down by being nearer to the cold open air. If your aquarium water is too hot, you can sometimes see Betta fishes float this way. However, they do still suffer from extreme changes in their water temperature, especially once it starts to approach the outer extremities of their tolerance. The Aquarium Water May Be Too Warmīetta fishes are hardier than most beginner species, which means that they have a wider temperature tolerance of 75° to 80° Fahrenheit. This section will talk about all the possible reasons why a Betta might act this way. There are multiple reasons why your Betta fish might be floating to the top and/or on its side.įortunately, most of the reasons are not that serious.Īs a good aquarist, you need to be an expert on your pet’s behavior so that you can learn when to be cautious and what needs to be done. Preventing Bettas From Floating To The Top And On Their Sidesġ0 Reasons Why Your Betta fish Is Floating To The Top And On Its Side.Step 5: Take It Out To Clean Up The Tank.What To Do When Your Betta Is Floating To The Top And On Its Side.There’s A Lack Of Stimulation In The Tank There’s A Lack Of Oxygen In The Water Column 10 Reasons Why Your Betta fish Is Floating To The Top And On Its Side.

My beta seems to be having a hrd time staying afloat