Bettas are some of the most beautiful fish you can look at. It’s no surprise that people treat Bettas more as showpieces than pets.
There’s more to bettas that their brightly colored fins. These fish are tough and can withstand a variety of environments. These fish are not Siamese fighting fish.
However, it is important to have the right knowledge and skills in order to care for betta.
This brings us to the question.
Does a Betta Fish Need an Air Pump?
Bettas do not require an air pump. Anabantoids are able to breathe in the air from the atmosphere through a special organ called labyrinth. Bettas are able to survive in water conditions that could be fatal for other fish like slow-moving streams and drainages.
What is the Labyrinth Organ and How Does it Work?
The labyrinth organ, scientifically speaking, is the subrabranchial accessory breathing or the most folded.
It is composed of two small plates that are located above the gills and formed by the vascularized expansion of the epibranchial bone of the first-gill ar.
Your betta can inhale oxygen directly from the labyrinth, as an alternative to using gills to help.
This organ allows oxygen to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream. This is why your betta can live for a brief time without water.
If it is moist, it will be able to inhale oxygen for a short time.
Because of the dual nature inhaling oxygen and exhaling oxygen, it’s not necessary to ask “do bettafish need an air pump?”
Do Betta Fry Need Air Pump?
Your betta fry might not require an air pump, unlike molly and guppy fry.
The pump creates a strong current of water, which can cause problems for swimming and hinder your fry’s growth potential.
You should make sure that the sponge filter you are using has small pores to ensure it doesn’t suck up your skin.
For the first few weeks, you can cover the tank with saran wrap. This will keep the tank’s surface cool and help develop the labyrinth organ.
It is important to remember that bettas don’t come with the labyrinth organ.
Over time, the organ grows slowly. Your fry will only be able to breathe through their gills until then. It is important to ensure that there is enough oxygen in the water.
Do Bettas Like Air Pumps?
Under normal conditions, bettas do not require air pumps. The crucial question is “Do bettas need air pumps?”
Bettas love to play with the air bubbles created by the pump. The bubbles provide entertainment for your betta within the tank’s four walls, and can keep them busy for hours.
Your betta will often swim into the bubbles to lift it to the top. Then, it will quickly swim back down to repeat the cycle.
Sometimes, however, air pumps can create strong currents that could stress your betta.
Bettas can handle slow-moving water bodies. They may be uncomfortable with the water current turning their large fins into sails.
The answer is that it all depends on the personality of your bettas. If you have bettas, make sure that the pump is on a low setting.
When to Use Air Pump in a Betta Tank?
It is not clear whether betta fish require an air pump. No. However, there are some instances where an air pump may be useful for your betta fish tank.
If You’re Using Medication
An air pump might be a good option if you have a sick betta on medication.
Many times, side effects of medication can cause the tank to lose oxygen. Low oxygen levels can cause betta problems.
You may be thinking, “Why can’t the labyrinth organ care for it anyway?”
It does, most of the times.
Your betta may not be able swim up to the top due to conditions such as swim bladder disease.
If You Want to be Cautious
A battery-powered pump is a great option if you want to be safe and take no risks.
An air pump can be used to keep your water aerated in the event that your filter fails. However, you will still need to change your water regularly. Air pumps are still viable options until you have an active filter.
If You Have a Sick Betta Fish
The best advice for a sick betta is to increase the water temperature. This trick works miracles. There is one catch.
The tank’s oxygen level will drop if the temperature increases. It is always best to make sure that there is enough oxygen in the tank when you are treating sick fish.
In such situations, an air pump is useful to maintain the water’s oxygen level without affecting the temperature.
Air Pump VS Aquarium Pump – Are They Different?
Here’s something else you might be interested before we move on.
People often mistakenly confuse air pumps with aquarium pumps (water pumps) all the time.
These two devices have completely different functions.
An air pump creates and moves water from one end to the other. Aquarium pumps, on the other hand move the water from filter to tank.
Aquarium pumps can be added to the fish tank outside, but air pumps are installed inside.
Each has its own distinct functions and they are not meant to be used in place of each other.
Final Words on Do Betta Fish Need Air Pump
Do betta fish require an air pump? No. Bettas are not dependent on an air pump, as they are labyrinth fishes. The special labyrinth organ allows them to inhale oxygen directly from the surface.
An air pump is not necessary for a betta tank because they inhale oxygen through their gills or labyrinth organs.
There are some exceptions. An air pump can be used on a low setting if your bettas enjoy playing with air bubbles. An air pump can also be helpful if your betta is on medication.