Do bettas like air stones?

[kitzo77]

I recently put an airstone in my betta's 5 gal tank and occasionally see him swimming through the bubbles alot on purpose.
Is this because he needs more air or is he just doing this for fun?

 

[travellife]

I have one in my betta's tank that I can regulate with an inline valve. My betta loves it. Occasionally the flow will decrease and he looks pissed off, then I realize the bubbles have decreased or stopped. Soon as I adjust the flow he's happy again, likes to swim near and thru the bubbles. I think it's entertaining to the fish.

 

[kitzo77]

Thats really cute then! Thanks!

 

[travellife]

Mine acts like an aquatic puppy, likes a lot of attention

 

[kitzo77]

My Betta is grumpy and likes to flare at me all the time lol but he never flares at my friends or family.

 

[travellife]

That's funny. He must like you. They can have such different personalities. I'm amazed when people have their betta in a tank with other fish. My fish, Grady, would not go for that at all. I put a pond snail in his tank one time and he immediately proceeded to stalk it. When he had the poor thing cornered and had bit off one of its tentacles I decided it was time to rescue the snail. He's a one fish per tank type of guy.

 

[kitzo77]

Oh the poor snail! I tried to have an apple snail with Sherlock too, but he tried to bite it through the acclimating bag. I would like to have a community betta tank one day though probably not with Sherlock.

 

[29Gsaltaquatics]

Bettas don't need airstones because they have a labyrinth organ that allows them to breath atmospheric air. But I am sure he will enjoy the airstone so he doesn't have to go the surface every 45 seconds

 

[travellife]

Mine still surfaces for air. I added the air stone a while back to help with water circulation for some BGA. Once the BGA was gone I removed it and he acted pouty so I reinstalled it. I'm convinced it's something he just likes having in his tank, probably keeps him from getting bored.

 

[29Gsaltaquatics]

Well they will still surface, but not as much

 

[travellife]

Didn't do an analysis before and after adding the air stone but you're probably right. I'm amazed how much he enjoys the bubbles since
betta's don't usually like too strong a water flow. The air stone bubbles are mild though compared to most filter flows.

 

[kitzo77]

I had to reduce the filter flow on my tank since it used to blow him around, but he really seems to enjoy swimming in the bubbles lol

 

[bullyboy]

I found that since betta dont like a lot of flow theres not much surface agitation from the filter so an air stone is essential.