Betta Is Not Liking His Filter

Hi,

I'm new here and new to bettas. I have a male betta housed in a Aquaview 360 2 gallon tank. He does NOT like the filter. When we turn the filter off, he swims around, but when it is on, he hides behind his castle or the plant in the tank and doesn't move much. I don't think it's a powerful filter, and I don't think it does much, since I still have to change out his water on a weekly basis. I brought home a female betta over the weekend, she is quite small yet, but she doesn't mind her filter, in fact she swam right into the current to get her food, lol. So what do I do with my male? Keep the filter off? or get a different filter or do I even need one for a 2 gallon tank?

Thanks!

 

Do not keep the filter off, it will ruin your cycle.
Do you know about the nitrogen cycle?

If you do not, read about it here.
It is very important in all fish tanks.

Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle

I would recommend 2.5g minimum for bettas. (depending on species)
What kind of betta is yours?

 

I'd suggest that you either baffle the filter or buy a sponge filter for your betta.

 

I'd suggest that you either baffle the filter or buy a sponge filter for your betta.

Sponge all the way. He will end up fin biting most likely if it isn't fixed soon. I hope you find his preference!

 

Thank you so much for the sponge idea! I didn't even know those existed. I will order him one today. Prism: My betta is a crown tail. Thanks for the information!

 

You should post a pic!!!

 

If you don't find the sponge to work, you can try plastic.
I easily cut a water bottle, and made it into a baffle that hooks around the outflow.

 

If you don't find the sponge to work, you can try plastic.
I easily cut a water bottle, and made it into a baffle that hooks around the outflow.

I did that but with a divider. I had a mesh divider I was no longer using so I folded it in on itself to form a mesh "tunnel" of sorts. It reached the top and allowed the water to still flow heavily but then slowly leaked out of the mesh. He likes to sit up against the top where the bubbles come through lol.

 

I have the same problem with my male betta. I have juwel internal filter that has a powerful waterflow. And he is really annoyed by the flow
I fastened mesh on the filters suction holes but he like to be sucked up and hang on the filter but it tears his fins

 

I have the same problem with my male betta. I have juwel internal filter that has a powerful waterflow. And he is really annoyed by the flow
I fastened mesh on the filters suction holes but he like to be sucked up and hang on the filter but it tears his fins

I think I am going to try to sponge filter suggestion

 

I have the same problem with my male betta. I have juwel internal filter that has a powerful waterflow. And he is really annoyed by the flow
I fastened mesh on the filters suction holes but he like to be sucked up and hang on the filter but it tears his fins

Boil some very thin cloth to clean it and wrap that around the intake instead. Should help reduce the damage when he gets lazy and sticks himself to it.

 

I think I am going to try to sponge filter suggestion

sponge filter or HOB but with the sponge sucktion part and good luck

 

Boil some very thin cloth to clean it and wrap that around the intake instead. Should help reduce the damage when he gets lazy and sticks himself to it.

I did that but the cloth clog within 3 days and it needs washing and extra effort
thanks anyway

 

when you change your water, don't mess with the filter. Don't squeeze or rinse out the sponge or filter media in the filter. It will fill up with sludge full of beneficial bacteria, and at the same time this will clog up your filter's flow and slow down the filter's current. Eventually the flow will be weak enough for the betta to swim around in. As long as the betta can swim up and down the tank and stay in a position without getting pushed around, it's fine