Do bettas like bubble walls or air stones?

Friend asked me this as she's starting a betta tank but I don't really know much about bettas so said I'd ask

 

Some really do like to play around in the bubbles!

 

It really depends. My own betta really like the current from a bubble wall and will sit by the bubbles all day. Some bettas don’t though, as their fins can get caught at the bubbles and forcefully push them to the surface.

 

I’d say no, they don’t like current and they have a labyrinth organ

 

I’d say no, they don’t like current and they have a labyrinth organ

Labyrinth organ?

 

I like to do air stones. That way, there’s still some bubbles for it to play in, but the fish can still avoid them if it wants to.

I’d say no, they don’t like current and they have a labyrinth organ

Airstones and bubble walls cause lots of surface agitation, but not a lot of flow in the tank. And just because a fish has a labyrinth organ, it doesn’t mean it wants low oxygen water.

 

It really depends. My own betta really like the current from a bubble wall and will sit by the bubbles all day. Some bettas don’t though, as their fins can get caught at the bubbles and forcefully push them to the surface.

Okay that makes sense, thanks

 

Some really do like to play around in the bubbles!

Is there some sort of way to judge the personality of a betta before getting it?

 

I have an air stone in mine because my shrimp like it, but my betta doesn’t seem to care. I’ve had other bettas that enjoyed current though. I would like to suggest putting a flow adjustment valve on it to optimize control over the flow; at low flow, an air stone can be very gentle.

 

My long finned betta dont really care. He just kind of avoids it. Make sure you have the bubbles very low especially if you get a long finned betta. That will help not push them around as much.

 

Is there some sort of way to judge the personality of a betta before getting it?

Stuff like that...you pretty much have to try it to find out.

 

Labyrinth organ?

Betta’s have a labyrinth organ, which allows them to breath from the surface of the water. If they use only their gills, they “drown” and if they use only their mouth, they “suffocate”.

 

They need oxygen from both air and water. Airstones keep the water oxygen high enough, and they use their labyrinth organ to get oxygen from the air.

 

Mine seems to love his, he plays around in the bubbles sometimes.

 

Is there some sort of way to judge the personality of a betta before getting it?

If I were you, I would research what a healthy betta looks like. Lemme copy and paste the list I check when looking for one:
_____________________
Picking Bettas
Should have/be...

• Vibrant Colours
• Big Flowing Fins
• Swimming with Ease
• Flaring

Check for...

• Fins. Slightly darker or white? No.
• Skin. Wounded? No.
• Fins. Torn or ragged edges? No.
• Fins. Close or clamped? No.
• Stomach. Swelling? Bloated? No.
• Body. White dots? Dusty gold mist? No.
• Movement. Lurking in one area? Not swimming in a horizontal direction? No.
• Behaviour. Flashing? As in trying to scratch itself? No.
• Behaviour. Erratic swimming? No.
• Behaviour. Lethargic? No.
• Breathing. Rapid breathing? No.
• Water. Is it clear? Yes.
• Gills. Is both gills closing properly? Yes.
• Eyes. Cloud or milky eyes? No.

Yes/No = The answer you should have.
_____________________

When I was picking my betta, everything in my list was checked. Besides that he BARELY flares, or not at all. At first I was hesitant, but I assumed he was just chill and gave him a shot.

Turns out he really doesn't care much things (but he doesn't like new things). But once he gets used to it, there's no problems at all. I can't tell if my observation of him was correct, or I just got lucky. But that's my experience

But to check their personalities, the best way is to put them beside another betta and see how they react (if in an community tank, observe their behaviour with their tank mates)

My experience with my betta in a tank with other fish/invertebrates:

When I added my seven ember tetras yesterday, that was the first time I've seen him flare (which was a week after I got him). But now, they get along really well, he's a gentle giant and curious of his tank mates.

I don't think he knows he's traumatizing his tank mates when he checks them up really close

Sorry for the long reply, good luck!

 

Friend asked me this as she's starting a betta tank but I don't really know much about bettas so said I'd ask

TBH, it really depends on the betta, but I would assume that most like it as from what I have heard and experienced, they are pretty goofy fish who like to frolic around their tank.

I’d say no, they don’t like current and they have a labyrinth organ

I disagree. A bubble wall or air stone will not create very much of a current as all they do is push air into the tank. They do not suck anything in or push anything out. Just because bettas have a labyrinth organ does not mean that it is their preferred method of oxygen intake. They would much rather take oxygen in through their gills rather than go to the surface to breath air. I know that in many cases, a air stone/bubble wall is used to oxygenate the water, but in this case it will do that and it could potentially give the betta a place to play in.