Skip to content

[Answered] Do Betta Fish Need A Bubbler?

Do Betta Fish Need A Bubbler

Many tanks include air pumps or air bubblers as a piece of equipment. Fish keepers are recommended bubblers as aquarium essential. If you have been keeping a fish for a while but are new to a betta fish, you have probably wondered do betta fish need a bubbler.

Simply speaking a betta fish does not ‘need’ a bubbler but there is no harm in adding it to your tank. Betta fish do not require a bubbler because they breathe through their labyrinth organ. As a result, they frequently swim to the water surface for oxygen. A bubbler, however, is still useful since it keeps up the oxygen concentration in the tank water.

What is a Bubbler?

A bubbler is a simple word for an item that generates a stream of bubbles when connected to an air pump. These are porous stones that come in a variety of forms, sizes, and colors. Thus, it majorly serves as a decorative part in a tank.

Some can generate bubbles throughout the tank, while others can only produce bubbles in certain regions of the tank. The goal is to raise the dissolved oxygen level in the tank water, which is particularly beneficial in warm water.

A bubbler requires an air pump and airline tubing to work. Air is pushed through airline tubing to the bubbler, which creates tiny bubbles, by the air pump. These bubbles transport oxygen into the aquarium and ripple the water’s surface, facilitating further gas exchange.

The increased oxygen content of the water is the major benefit of air pumps and bubblers. Fish, plants, and beneficial microorganisms can all benefit from this. They also aid in water circulation, which is beneficial to a betta tank.

While an air pump theoretically just requires airline tubing and a bubbler to function, it is recommended that you also have a control valve and a check valve. You may control the amount of air that enters the tank via a control valve. A check valve keeps water from spilling onto the floor from the aquarium.

Must Read | Top 3 Finest Marina Betta Kit in The Market

Do Betta Fish Need A Bubbler?

Air pumps and bubblers are not required for betta tanks and the betta fish. If your filter agitates the water’s surface sufficiently, a significant rate of gas exchange will occur. Furthermore, if your betta’s water is constantly altering and moving, they will grow nervous and disturbed. So, if you’re going to use an air pump, choose one that’s a little gentler.

The labyrinth organ of a betta is the major reason why air pumps aren’t required in betta aquariums. Bettas do not need to breathe through their gills because of the labyrinth organ. They can instead go to the surface of the water to breathe oxygen.

If you keep your betta with other fish or even by themselves, you should sometimes use an air pump to ensure the safety of all of your fish. You should use an air pump if your betta is unwell and you are utilizing medicine. As a side effect, several medicines deplete the oxygen in the tank. Your betta will start to suffocate if you do not have an air pump.

Another reason to purchase an air pump is as a preventative measure. The water in your tank will not be aerated if there is a power outage in your region or if your filter fails. This difficulty can be solved by purchasing a battery-powered air pump. However, until your filter is repaired, you will need to do more frequent water changes.

Thus, if you are wondering do betta fish need a bubbler then the answer is ‘go for it‘. The betta fish do not necessarily need an air pump and a bubbler as they are labyrinth breathers, but there is absolutely no harm in adding a bubbler to your betta tank as it optimizes the oxygen level in the tank.

Do Betta Fish Like Bubblers?

Simply because they are not required does not mean your betta fish will not like them. Many bettas like playing with the bubbles that emerge from an air pump. This type of amusement will keep them occupied and may also be utilized as a toy.

On the other hand, betta fish do not appreciate fast-flowing water currents. As a result, if your air pump disturbs the water too much, he will become stressed. Thus, make sure to purchase a pump that has a control valve to control the flow of water through the bubbler.

There is a particular type of air pump and filter which suits the betta fish the most. Sponge filters are powerful air pumps that are the most common in betta tanks. They are popular in betta tanks since they generate a modest flow, which bettas prefer.

A tube and one or two sponges together make up a sponge filter. A vacuum is created when air moves up the tube, displacing the tank water. This suction pulls water through the sponge, trapping the filth, while the clean water travels up the tube and back into the tank. This will circulate the tank water and keep it clean if you have a suitably sized sponge filter and air pump.

Top 3 Bubblers For Betta Fish

1. Hygger Quiet Mini Air Pump for Aquarium 1.5 Watt

This Ultra Quiet HG-811 Aquarium Air Pump is an excellent tool for improving the health and welfare of your fish. This tiny air pump, unlike typical air pumps, is powered by a thin piezoelectric ceramic plate. As a result, placing a fish tank in the bedroom, living room, or workplace is extremely quiet.

It also has a small footprint (just 2.4 inches in diameter), is lightweight, extremely silent, and has a long service life. With a flow rate of 420 ml/min and 1.5-watt power consumption, it is a perfect air pump for small fish tanks ranging from 1 to 15 gallons and hydroponic systems.

PROS👍CONS👎
– Improves the health of the fish.– No Such Cons
– Reduced noise.
– compact design
– energy conservation
PROS & CONS

2. Bedee Aquarium Air Pump

This fish air pump comes with a little porous air stone that can give consistent and plentiful bubbles to the fish tank water, therefore boosting the oxygen content. It is an excellent tool for boosting fish health, and it can also be used as an aquarium decoration to give your fish tank a vibrant and unique ambiance.

Unlike typical tiny aquarium air pumps, this silent air pump is powered by a thin piezoelectric ceramic plate, not a motor or other mechanism, and produces a sound level of fewer than 35 decibels, making it ideal for use in the bedroom, living room, or workplace.

PROS👍CONS👎
– good quality pump– Difficult to set up
– Quiet pump
– small size
– power saving
PROS & CONS

3. AquaticHI Large Round Disc Air Stone/Diffuser

The AquaticHI Round Disc increases the air stone’s output area, allowing for more bubbles to form. This airstone is made of carborundum, which is a high-quality material. It also improves air movement and circulation to oxygenate the water.

This is is beneficial to aquatic life’s health. With its circular air stone that creates tiny bubbles, this pump also adds elegance to your display tank. It also comes with three suction cups to keep the air stone in place and avoid friction wear, extending its longevity.

PROS👍CONS👎
– round flat design– Only suitable for small tanks.
– small microbubbles– The spread of the bubble is not enough.
– ornamental design
– includes a suction cup
PROS & CONS

FAQs on Do Betta Fish Need A Bubbler?

Can betta fish live without an air pump?

Bettas, unlike other aquarium fish, may survive without an air pump because they have a unique organ called a labyrinth in addition to their gills. This labyrinth organ can allow a betta fish to breathe atmospheric air for a small amount of time.

How long can a betta go without air?

About 1 and 2 minutes.

Do betta fish like bubbles?

YES. Some betta fish do like bubbles and they like playing with them. This prevents them from getting bored. So if you are thinking of adding an air stone in your betta tank then you should go for it.

In which condition we should not use a bubbler?

There is no hard and fast rule to add a bubbler to your tank. However, if you feel that your water flow in the tank is too low then you should not add a bubbler to your betta tank.

Final Thoughts

So do betta fish need a bubbler? Not really. A betta fish does not require a bubbler, although having bubblers do have certain advantages. They improve the circulation of the tank and increase the quantity of dissolved oxygen in the water.