heartsongsinger

I just bought a betta and two coolie loaches. As I was putting them in my tank I broke the hood. The tank is down by about a gallon of water. It is a ten gallon tank. Should I put a towel over the top tonight to keep the betta from possibly jumping out or should I wait?

lilFishyfish

I would since the loaches might try to jump out, who knows. I have eels that try to escape...and one sadly did.......For the most part I don't think the betta is going to jump out but why take a chance.

heartsongsinger

Ya I had one jump out of a betta boy and I've never seen his color before. There was one other like him so if I loose him and the other one gets sold I'll have to look for a new betta

Lucy

As with most fish, bettas can be jumpers.
Do you have an old screen lying around?

heartsongsinger

No my mom threw them all out after we moved in 5 yrs ago

shellbell4ever

I would cover it with something just in case... My Newt jumped out but I didn't find her till the next morning to late

Phinny12

Maybe go the Home Depot and get some screening ...something that air can pass through...but a towel will certianly do for now.

Phinny12

I saw some fairly inexpensive hoods for 10-20 gallon tanks at Petsmart.

Allie

We use pieces of glass to cover the betta tanks without canopies. Temporarily you could put anything non toxic over the top, a piece of wood or a plastic lid that may fit.

heartsongsinger

Allie there is no such thing in my house. I'm going to go look at petsmart later though

COBettaCouple

A screen top would be cheaper for now and could be found in most fish departments, but I think you can order folding glass lids for a tank that size and put a fluorescent tube light fixture over it too.

RandomKayos

I realize this might be a bit late for this post but maybe it will help later should the need arise. Using a towel or anything that might sag into the tank is not a good idea. Not only could it cause a siphoning effect and make a mess. With Betta's or any other air breathing fish would not be able to get to the surface and would drown. Whatever is used for a lid should be solid enough to stay out of the water and leave some space for air.

RK

heartsongsinger

I got a glass lid for $11 dollars so I'm good.

RandomKayos - the towel was a large one and there was enough weight to keep it from sagging.